25 Cheap Meals for 1

Tips to save money on groceries

Whether you're feeling the current inflation, have been laid off from your job, are in college, or otherwise needing to save money, strategically shopping and meal planning can help you save some money. These shopping tips help you make cheap meals for 1.

1. Be realistic about what you can make/eat during the week. Look at your schedule, how tired you will be, and how much time you'll have to cook. Not planning for your actual life will leave you with wasted food, which costs more.
2. Stock your pantry/fridge/freezer. Here's what to stock in your 'pantry'. Look at your budget, buy what you can, as quickly as you can. A well stocked kitchen gives options to make something quick when you didn't plan ahead.
3. Keep a list of pantry recipes. Start here with these Pantry Recipes, using your pantry ingredients. Use these when you didn't plan anything and don't want to spend money on takeout.
4. Utilize canned meats. Canned chicken, canned fish, etc are great long lasting, budget friendly options. This is a great way to make cheap meals for 1.
5. Make a grocery list. Simple, but it'll help you stick to what you need, and help you plan out what to make. It'll also help you reduce food waste because you've got a plan for the food you are buying.
6. Look out for ingredients on sale. Look at mailers, store apps, etc for discounts. Plan your weeknight dinners/cooking around it to make cheap meals for 1, if you can and want to.
7. Grocery shop online. Do you often make impulse buys at the store? This could be a good option to keep your grocery bill lower. Some stores offer free pick-up over a certain amount, or the fees might be less than impulse buys.
8. Critically think about what's better for your budget/time/lifestyle: homemade/ home-prepped or pre-made/pre-prepped. This will be different for everyone, even different for different times, ingredients. Be realistic.
9. Make extra servings for leftovers. Incorporating a mix of one serving meals and recipes with leftovers make life easier and still have room for variety. Larger recipes allow you to use up more of the food you're already buying.
10. Check out bulk options. Scoop out nuts, bulk sections, not Costco. If there's a store convenient for you with a bulk section, you can buy a portion that you need (smaller at a time to save money!), sometimes they're cheaper.
11. Incorporate more vegetarian options. Meat is great, but can be expensive, experiment with plant based proteins to save lots on your grocery bill. It'll help you make cheap meals for 1.
12. Still give yourself grace/permission to not do it perfectly. There's balance in everything. Evaluate your priorities and do what you can to align with that. And think of this as an experiment. It's hard to learn how to plan/save at first.

Cheap Dinner Ideas: Vegetarian

Easy Pancakes for One (15 minutes)

This easy pancakes for one recipe is perfect if you want a delicious breakfast, without all the leftovers. This 15 minute recipe includes a buttermilk flavor hack, which is perfect if you don't always have buttermilk on hand.

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Pancakes are easy, but they are made with pantry ingredients. Plus it's easy to make breakfast for dinner like dessert. Yum, easy cheap meals for 1 for the win!

Protein Mac and Cheese for One

Protein mac and cheese recipe for one is silky, creamy, cheesy, and ready in 20 minutes. One secret ingredient in this pasta recipe adds silkiness and protein without changing the taste of classic, delicious macaroni and cheese.

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Adding inexpensive tofu bumps up the satisfaction factor in this pantry staple, it also makes it super creamy and smooth.

Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake (single serving)

Make this cheesy white bean tomato bake for a super easy dinner for one. It takes just 15 minutes and can be made with pantry ingredients and enjoyed with crusty bread.

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White beans and tomatoes, two canned foods that might not sound so fancy or delicious, but combined with a few added ingredients, you've got a rich tomatoey delicious dinner. Pantry staples make a delicious cheap meal for 1.

Bagel with Eggs for One

Make a 10 minute bagel with eggs for one. It's such a delicious and easy meal. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a bigger snack. I'll show you how to make the basic version, but add whatever toppings you have on hand!

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A simple bagel filled with scrambled eggs is a great, inexpensive meal for one. You can add any toppings to your eggs or enjoy as is. It's satisfying and can be served with simple sides to make it more filling.

Lentil Spinach Curry for One

This easy and delicious lentil spinach curry recipe for one is a great way to try out a vegan recipe with lentils. It's bursting with flavor and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

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A small jar of Thai red curry will go far in this lentil curry. It's so flavorful, and the rest of the ingredients are inexpensive. Swap the spinach and even tomatoes for whatever vegetables you have, or none.

Single Serving Baked Mac and Cheese (5 Ingredients)

This super creamy single serving baked mac and cheese has a deliciously crunchy topping that bakes up perfectly in the oven. Make the macaroni on the stove or in the microwave for a quick 15 minute dinner.

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This baked mac and cheese for one is so easy, and feels fancy with the breadcrumbs on top. You can even cook the noodles in the microwave for an easier meal.

Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

This easy vegetarian burrito bowl is the perfect super quick dinner recipe. You can throw it together in 5-10 minutes, using ingredients you already have in your pantry, with good salsa, it's packed with flavor and doesn't taste thrown together.

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Queso is a great way to add lots of flavor to simple rice, beans, and vegetables. Use some salsa and fresh veggies to round out this easy bowl that's quintessential cheap meals for 1 situation.

Chapati Roll (egg and vegetable wrap)

This chapati roll, or rolex is traditional street food in Uganda. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and all you need is an uncooked tortilla, eggs, cheese, and seasonal vegetables for an easy & hand held meal.

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This is such a great and easy lunch, dinner, snack. All you need is a tortilla (uncooked is best!), eggs, cheese, and vegetables if you want them. It can be hand held and, seriously is just such a delicious cheap meals for 1.

Refried Bean Tacos (for one)

These refried bean tacos are hands down the easiest and most delicious 10 minute dinner. All you need to do is scour your fridge and pantry for a few essentials like refried beans, taco seasoning, veggies, cheese and salsa.

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This is the epitome of 'throw whatever is in the fridge into a taco' situation. Tortillas, some sort of beans, crunchy vegetables, cheese, and tomatoes in the form of salsa or chopped makes a great taco base.

Pantry Rice and Bean Soup (for one)

Throw together this 30 minute rice and bean soup for one with a handful of pantry ingredients. This soup can be made in one pot, with uncooked rice, salsa, broth, seasonings, and whatever beans and veggies you have.

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I usually just think of enjoying rice and beans in tortillas, with a spoon, or in a quesadilla, but adding some chicken/vegetable broth turns these pantry staples into a delicious, creamy soup. Familiar flavors, maybe less familiar form. Perfect.

Breakfast Tacos Recipe (make ahead)

This freezer breakfast tacos recipe will make you like mornings. Pop these frozen guys in the microwave for an easy and delicious breakfast

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You can have tacos any time of the day. Add eggs and hashbrowns and you've got delicious breakfast tacos. These are great any time of the day, and can even be made ahead of time to freeze for later. Cheap meals for 1 wins again.

Black Bean Pasta for One

This black bean pasta for one can be made in 15 minutes with pantry ingredients. IT's got simple, inexpensive ingredients (canned tomatoes, black beans, corn, cheese, and spices) and so much flavor.

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Add some black beans, canned tomatoes, and cheese to pasta for a delicious plant based cheap meal for 1. This is a great recipe to use if you're meal planning or not-it's easy to throw together without planning ahead.

Panko Tofu for One

Make panko tofu for one on the stove in 20 minutes (oven and Air Fryer instructions too). The tofu comes out soft with a delicious crispy crunch on the outside. I enjoy it with rice, vegetables, and soy sauce and sweet chili sauce.

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I love this panko tofu recipe, it's easy, inexpensive, and versatile. Drizzle soy sauce over it for a super easy flavor addition, or dip into another favorite sauce. Either way, it's tasty and low cost made with tofu, rice, and a frozen vegetable.

Cheap Dinner Ideas: Meat/Seafood

Apple Pecan Chicken Salad (for one)

This apple pecan chicken salad, is a fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. It just takes 10 minutes! Use precooked chicken, green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.

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Buying frozen chicken, if you have space is a great way to save some money on meat. I like to just throw a frozen chicken breast/tender in a hot skillet filled with water to cook it. It's quick. And goes deliciously in chicken salad.

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice (single serving)

Never have day old rice to make fried rice with? Make this super easy, single serving, one pot Instant Pot chicken fried rice. It just takes about 30 minutes. Make 2+ servings for leftovers.

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Use pre-made rice, whatever vegetables you have on hand, chicken (or any other protein) to make this easy Instant Pot chicken fried rice. Cheap meals for 1 can also be made with leftovers.

Chicken Broccoli Divan (two servings)

This easy chicken broccoli divan is ready to eat in about 30 minutes. It's full of tender chicken and broccoli with a creamy curry sauce. This simple recipe makes two servings, and is great as leftovers.

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Based on one of my mom's classic recipes, this easy chicken and broccoli casserole is comforting, easy, and uses inexpensive staple ingredients: chicken, broccoli (frozen/fresh), cheese, cream of chicken soup, plain yogurt, rice.

Canned Tomato Pasta for One

Make this easy canned tomato pasta for one with pantry ingredients. It comes together in just 15 minutes and doesn't taste like you threw it together. Add freshly cooked pasta, a can of tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, and Italian sausage.

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DIY pasta sauce with this easy canned tomato sauce. Add a link of sausage, ground beef, TVP, ground pork or sausage, or lots of other proteins to this recipe. Plus it takes just 15 minutes to make this cheap meal for 1!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread (for one)

This 20 minute chicken bacon ranch flatbread is an easy dinner recipe for one person that works as a great base for using up other ingredients like vegetables.

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Making your own pizza crust is cheapest, but there are other options if you don't make it yourself. This pizza is a great way to use up some leftover chicken and bacon, if you have any. Or just find other recipes/pancakes for the bacon.

Chorizo Breakfast Casserole

Turn up no fuss breakfasts with this super easy chorizo breakfast casserole. It's filled with eggs, simple chorizo, hashbrows, and cheese that makes for a delicious make ahead breakfast for busy weekday mornings.

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Make this easy egg casserole with sausage (or omit), hashbrowns, and cheese. Bulk this cheap meal for 1 (+ leftovers) up with toppings. Season crumbled tofu or TVP with spices to make this even less expensive.

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta (for one)

Make this 20 minute, pantry ingredient, one pot chicken parmesan pasta for one. It's got crispy breadcrumbs instead of traditional crispy, cheesy chicken parmesan without the extra time, steps, and mess.

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Canned tomatoes come in clutch again. This easy chicken parm pasta is a great cheap meal for 1 as it uses pantry staples, and has a crunchy topping that you can just make in a pan.

Chicken Soup for One

Make some comforting, delicious chicken soup for one in about 30 minutes. This warming recipe is easy, flavorful, and made in one pot. It's perfect for a quick winter dinner.

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Save money by buying frozen carrots and even canned chicken. These tips really help you make cheap meals for 1.

Cheap Dessert Ideas

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

This single serve chocolate chip cookie is such an easy cookie, that's perfect with crispy edges and gooey middle. It's great when you're in the mood for chocolate chip cookies, but don't have freezer or counter room.

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Pantry ingredients for this cheap meal for 1. Oh and it's dessert. Yes

Skillet Peach Crumble

This peach crumble dessert is made on the stove in just 15 minutes, it's the perfect quick summer dessert for one. All you need are fresh or canned peaches, and a couple pantry ingredients for the tasty crumble topping.

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Use canned or frozen peaches with pantry ingredients to make this even less expensive. See, cheap meals for 1 can be easy and delicious.

Single Serve Brownie

Make this single serve brownie when you've got a chocolate craving. It's got gooey chocolate chips, can be cooked to your preference, and just takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. You're just a few minutes to getting your chocolate fix.

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Another pantry ingredient dessert. It tastes fancy, and by all means is fancy, but doesn't cost much! That's the best way to enjoy cheap meals for 1.

Single Serving Apple Crumble Tart

This easy single serving apple crumble tart is the perfect cool weather dessert. To save time, add a few ingredients to half of the shortbread like crust recipe to make the crumble topping. It's filled with tart apples for the perfect sweet, tart, crumbly bite.

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Another pantry recipe + an apple makes for a delicious and cheap dessert for one.

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Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started.