37 Easy Diabetic-Friendly Dinners with 5 Ingredients (or Less!)

This recipe gives the most omega-3 fatty acid bang for your buck! —Cristen Dutcher, Marietta, Georgia

Our go-to pizza is a snap to make using packaged pizza crust and ready-to-serve bacon. The kids don’t even mind the spinach on top! —Annette Riva, Naperville, Illinois

I’ve used Nicoise as an appetizer or main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, do-ahead sure thing. —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota

For my busy family, a semi-homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba

This is a super-easy recipe full of sweet fall flavor. The maple flavor really shines through. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

If I’m cooking for a party or a family get-together, I can put this beef in the slow cooker in the morning and then concentrate on other preparations. It’s a time-saver that never fails to get rave reviews. —Ginny Koeppen, Winnfield, Louisiana

I came up with this recipe in college and it’s been a household staple ever since. It’s a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ramen noodles makes quick dinner with shrimp and carrots. This is delicious and so quick to fix. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio

Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama

Broccoli and rice casserole tops my family’s comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

This simple salmon gets its crunch from a coating of crushed pistachios, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add steamed veggies and rice and it’s dinnertime! —Anthony Oraczewski, Port St. Lucie, FL

The honey and garlic sauce on this pork is so good, I sometimes double it so there’s extra for dipping whatever veggie we have on the side. —Michelle Smith, Eldersburg, Maryland

The key to this curry chicken is getting complex flavors without a heavy feel. For the veggies, I like colorful pea pods, sweet red peppers and water chestnuts. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California

You don’t need much seasoning to add flavor to this beef tenderloin recipe. The mild blending of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington

Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania

The combination of tender pork and sweet red peppers in these sandwiches will appeal to the whole family. Sometimes I also add caramelized onions. The sandwiches are especially good with garlic mayo. Have fun experimenting with your own variations. —Katherine White, Clemmons, North Carolina

We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio

These beefy spirals are an easy dish to make, and great to grill at a backyard cookout. I get lots of compliments on it. —Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania

I had a pork tenderloin and ripe peaches that begged to be put together. We have a no-plate-licking rule, but that night it was too tempting! —Julia Gosliga, Addison, Vermont

This quick-to-fix entrée will instantly transport you to the Southwest. Salsa plays lively counterpoint to the juicy pineapple-sweetened pork chops.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

For these everyday wraps, I combined the traditional Southern appetizer of jam and cream cheese on crackers and the turkey, apple and brie sandwiches we ate at my bridal luncheon. I like to sneak fresh spinach into all sorts of recipes because it has such a mild flavor. —Kim Beavers, North August, South Carolina

A pepper rub gives this moist, tender beef a bit of a zippy taste. It takes just minutes to prepare, and the meat slices well. Lining the baking pan with foil makes it a breeze to clean up, too. —Denise Bitner, Reedsville, Pennsylvania

Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty simple to begin with, it’s made even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one big pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, Idaho

This cinch of a marinade gives the chicken lots of Italian flavor. Serve the chicken with a tossed green salad and garlic breadsticks, or put slices on a ciabatta roll along with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella cheese for a zesty handheld meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire

My son James created these zesty chops spiced with paprika and cayenne. He keeps the spice rub in a jar to use with chops or chicken. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico

For those days when I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir up tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you’re in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas

Let’s face it, everything really is better with bacon. I fry it up, add cod fillets to the pan and finish with a big, tomato-y pop. —Maureen McClanahan, St. Louis, Missouri

Busy weeknights don’t stop my husband from firing up the grill. This meal-in-one comes together fast. Try it with chimichurri and cotija cheese. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

While I was visiting my cousin Lilliana in Italy, she made this heavenly chicken for lunch. Now it’s a family favorite stateside, too. —Rosemarie Pisano, Revere, Massachusetts

When I make this tangy buffalo chicken breast, I have to double the recipe because it disappears so fast. Better to have leftovers, especially since they make great sandwiches and salads. —Beth Zimmerman, Willingboro, New Jersey

My father loves lamb, so I make this dish whenever he visits. It’s the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers. —Kristina Mitchell, Clearwater, Florida.

I have eggs every morning, and this is a great change from the classic scrambled egg meal. I like to add sliced peppers on top if I have them on hand.—Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri

This entree is a great way to savor fresh tomatoes, especially during the warm summer months. It’s quite simple, but the sweet, tangy tomato glaze is just so good. —Karen Gehrig, Concord, North Carolina

My “pickatarian” child is choosy but willing to eat this chicken glazed with apple juice and thyme. I dish it up with mashed potatoes and green beans. —Kerry Picard, Spokane, Washington

Juicy stuffed chicken is perfect for basil fans, but I’ve just as easily used shredded cheese in place of the pesto for my pickier eaters. —Rachel Dion, Port Charlotte, Florida

My mouth waters when I think of this sweet and tangy glaze. It’s a tropical treat at any time of year. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Just a handful of ingredients add up to one of our family’s favorites. Also easy to double for company! —Susan Brown, Kansas City, Kansas