Cooking for one can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be! It's an opportunity to explore new flavors, control your portions, and enjoy a delicious, satisfying meal without the fuss of cooking for a crowd. Whether you're a busy professional, a student, or simply enjoy your own company, these quick and easy recipes for one person will make mealtime a highlight of your day.
Embracing the Single-Serving Lifestyle
Many people believe that a meal for one should be just as special as a meal for more. The dishes should be ones you go to again and again when you're looking for something delicious minus the leftovers. Sometimes getting dinner on the table just feels impossible. Whether you're cooking for one or for your whole family, these recipes are sure to please, and will become some of the most popular go-to recipes.
Essential Tips for Cooking for One
Scaling Down Recipes
Scaling down recipes can feel tricky at first, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature. Here's how to do it:
- Calculate First: Divide the ingredients by 4 if the original recipe serves four people. Write down the adjusted measurements to avoid confusion.
- Season Gradually: Start with a quarter of the original amount of seasoning and taste as you go. You can always add more, but you can't take it away!
- Use Proper Cookware: A dish that's too large can cause food to dry out. Opt for a 5-inch square dish or a ramekin for single servings.
Kitchen Tools for the Solo Chef
Having the right tools can make cooking for one much easier and more enjoyable. Small tools prevent overcooking. Here are some recommended essentials:
- Skillet: An 8-inch or 10-inch skillet is perfect for cooking single-serving meals.
- Baking Dish: A 5x5-inch or 4x6-inch baking dish is ideal for baking smaller portions.
- Ramekin: A 10-ounce (4-inch diameter) ramekin is great for individual desserts or baked dishes.
Quick & Easy Recipes for One
Here are some delicious and easy recipes perfect for solo dining:
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1. Fried Rice
Fried rice is the ultimate leftover food. It’s totally customizable with whatever additional protein and veggies you have in the fridge, and it’s so simple to make. This recipe is as classic as you can get, perfect for personalizing however you like.
2. Buffalo Chicken Nugget Burrito
A creative and flavorful twist on classic comfort food.
3. Indian Butter Chickpeas
A flavorful and satisfying vegetarian option packed with aromatic spices.
4. Chicken Caesar Fries
This dish combines the best of both worlds: a chicken Caesar salad with a side of fries. The salad is fresh and decadent, the fries are crisp and salty. Dipping a fry in Caesar dressing is highly recommended.
5. Sushi Popcorn
While plain buttered popcorn is great, it's also fun to get creative with seasonings. This sushi-inspired popcorn is flavored with a mix of Japanese seasonings like togarashi (a chile blend) and crumbled nori (dried seaweed). The result is an umami-packed salty snack.
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6. Cottage Cheese Alfredo
This dish offers a creamy pasta experience with less fat and more protein. Adding cottage cheese and spinach takes this classic sauce to new heights.
7. Tomato, Basil, Feta Omelet Quesadilla
A Mediterranean-inspired twist on a classic breakfast or brunch dish.
8. Avocado Toast
Avocado toast doesn't have to be just for breakfast! If you've got a pile of ripe avocados, this is the tastiest, easiest low-effort meal.
9. Everything Bagel Pasta
Combines the flavors of an everything bagel with the comfort of pasta.
10. Maple Pecan-Crusted Chicken
Chicken breasts can be a snooze fest, but this maple pecan-crusted chicken is sure to break you out of the boring dinner blues. Cutlets are tossed in a punchy and herby maple-mustard sauce, then topped with chopped pecans and baked to juicy, crunchy perfection in this easy fall dinner.
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11. Twice-Baked Potatoes
A comforting and customizable side dish or light meal.
12. Brie Spaghetti
Nutty, buttery brie is approachable yet fancy, and it goes with a wide variety of other flavors. With very little effort, you can have a super decadent pasta dish. A little bit of brie goes a long way, so this is the perfect use for that last little nub you couldn't throw away.
13. Crispy Sheet-Pan Black Bean Tacos
A flavorful and easy vegetarian taco option.
14. Tofu Stir-Fry
For best results, use extra-firm tofu that has been frozen so it can absorb flavors more readily, and simmer the tofu in salted water briefly to make it hardier and less likely to crumble. Otherwise, the sky's the limit, so add your favorite veggies to this stir-fry!
15. Chicken Quesadillas
You don't really need a recipe to make this wildly popular Mexican dish. But if you're looking for some guidance, especially in cooking up some quick and easy chicken to stuff inside, this recipe won't let you down.
16. French Onion Grilled Cheese
A sophisticated twist on a childhood classic.
17. Frito Pie
Really craving a snack, but feel like you should eat something with a little more going on? Let this Tex-Mex recipe come to your rescue.
18. Chicken Stir-Fry
You can practically throw any combination of protein, veggies, and sauce in a pan and call it good, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a basic formula to go off of. Make it as is, or use it as a jumping-off point to create your own.
19. BBQ Chicken Twice-Baked Potatoes
A hearty and flavorful combination of BBQ chicken and twice-baked potatoes.
20. Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe literally translates to “cheese and pepper." These two ingredients are usually thought of as small components to a dish but in this pasta recipe, they take center stage.
More Quick & Easy Meal Ideas
Here are some additional recipes and ideas for delicious single-serving meals:
- Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies: This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy!
- 1 chicken thigh with 1 cup vegetables: 357 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 597mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein.
- Skillet Pork Chops with Veggies: Simple recipes that land on the table fast are lifesavers. Serve skillet pork chops with veggies and, when your husband lobbies, cornbread stuffing.
- 1 pork chop with 3/4 cup apple mixture: 360 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 545mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein.
- Salmon with Barbecue Green Beans: I'm always up for new ways to cook salmon. In this dish, a sweet sauce gives the fish and green beans some down-home barbecue tang. Even our kids love it.
- 1 fillet with 3/4 cup green beans: 394 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 661mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein.
- Tilapia with Greek-Inspired Topping: Combine olives, onion, dill and feta cheese in a tangy, Greek-inspired topping to boost the flavor of tilapia or your favorite whitefish.
- 1 fillet: 169 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein.
- One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta: When my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe.
- 1 cup: 404 calories, 18g fat (4g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein.
- Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs: My family loves this dish! There's nothing better than oven baked boneless chicken thighs for dinner. It looks and tastes like you fussed, but it is really simple to make. These roasted chicken thighs use healthy olive oil and fresh herbs from my garden.
- 1 chicken thigh with 1 cup vegetables: 308 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 221mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein.
- Steak: If you’ve never cooked steak at home before, it can be a little intimidating. That’s why I came up with this simple steak recipe that’s so easy, you could make it any day of the week.
- 6 ounces cooked beef: 494 calories, 36g fat (15g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 2983mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 40g protein.
- Fish: My husband and I are trying to add more fish and healthy entrees to our diet and this one makes it easy. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it's perfect for hectic weeknights.
- 1 fillet: 216 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein.
Making the Most of Leftovers
When cooking for one, leftovers are inevitable. Here are some creative ways to use them up:
- Transform Leftover Chicken: Use leftover roasted chicken in salads, sandwiches, or soups.
- Repurpose Cooked Vegetables: Add leftover cooked vegetables to omelets, frittatas, or pasta dishes.
- Reimagine Grains: Turn leftover rice or quinoa into fried rice, grain bowls, or salads.