Sometimes, less really is more—especially when it comes to investing. Simplicity often wins the race to long-term wealth, even if your goal is to hit $1 million by retirement.

Achieving that milestone isn't reserved for the wealthy. With a combination of disciplined saving and smart investing, even those on an average income can make it happen. The secret? Avoid overcomplicating things. Instead of chasing hot stocks or trying to outsmart the market, a straightforward buy and hold strategy with the right investments can work wonders.

In fact, research shows that many investors hurt their long-term returns by being too active or taking unnecessary risks. Sticking with simple, diversified, and proven investments often delivers better outcomes.

With that in mind, let's look at three easy-to-understand ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that could help you grow your nest egg and turn your retirement dreams into reality. They are as follows:

BetaShares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

This BetaShares Australian Quality ETF focuses on high-quality Australian companies with strong fundamentals. It is designed to include businesses that have consistently delivered high returns on equity, low debt, and stable earnings. These attributes not only offer growth potential but also provide some defensive protection in tough market conditions.

By investing in AQLT, you get exposure to top-tier Australian names like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME), without the hassle of picking individual stocks. It was recently named as one to buy by the team at BetaShares.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

If global diversification is on your wishlist, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF could be a great choice. This ETF offers investors easy access to some of the world's biggest and best companies, including tech giants like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO).

With broad exposure to the global economy and a long history of delivering solid returns, this ETF could be the backbone of a long-term investment portfolio.

BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

For those who believe in the future of technology, the BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF is hard to overlook. This ETF tracks 100 of the largest non-financial companies on the NASDAQ, giving you access to innovation leaders like Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG).

The tech sector can be volatile in the short term but has shown incredible growth over decades. For patient investors, this ASX ETF could be a key driver of long-term returns.

Foolish Takeaway

The path to a $1 million retirement portfolio doesn't have to be complicated.

By focusing on simple, diversified ASX ETFs and holding them for the long term, you could grow your wealth steadily and efficiently. But remember, the magic of compounding works best when you give it time—so start early, stay disciplined, and let simplicity lead the way.