The Best Cooking for One Recipes

Cooking for one can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. No more wasted food, and just good recipes for one. Check out the best 18 recipes for one or these delicious Instant Pot/Slow Cooker Recipes for One or Small Batch Desserts.

collage of food in bowls with text overlay

Single Serving Recipes

How do I make it easy to cook for one?

Here are a few articles and resources with tips to make cooking for yourself easy and more enjoyable.

Meal Planning for One
Single Serving Cooking: Meal Prep Hacks
Cooking for One Pantry Staples
How to Meal Prep for the Week
More Single Serving Recipes for One (organized by protein)

Single Serving Recipes

One Pot Dinners

Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Rice

This comforting, cheesy, creamy mushroom chicken with rice is the perfect fall recipe. It's done in about 25 minutes in just one pot, so you can have a delicious dinner in no time and with just a bit of clean-up.

Check out this recipe

mushrooms and chicken over rice on a white and grey plate

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

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

Check out this recipe

square photo of spiral pasta with tomatoes on a black plate with a fork

Cajun Foil Packets

Whether you're camping or need a really easy dinner that requires zero clean-up, these super simple cajun foil packets are perfect. They're filled with shrimp, potatoes, corn and other seasonal veggies.

Check out this recipe

corn, zucchini, potatoes, and sausage in a bowl

Delicata Squash Soup

Switch up your fall soup game with this easy 30 minute delicata squash soup. It's vegetarian (vegan if you want!), hearty, and bursting with flavor. Serve it with a grilled cheese for a delicious cool weather dinner.

Check out this recipe

close up of vegetable soup in a white bowl

Chicken Fried Rice in the Instant Pot

Never have day old rice to make fried rice with? Make this super easy, one pot chicken fried rice in the Instant Pot. It just takes about 30 minutes, and is great for leftovers.

Check out this recipe

bowl of chicken fried rice with gold fork in it

Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon

One pan meals are the best during this busy time of the year. In just 20 minutes, you'll have maple mustard salmon- tender, flaky salmon and crispy shaved brussels sprouts. See, quick meals for yourself don't have to be sad.

Check out this recipe

maple mustard salmon and brussels sprouts with a lemon wedge on a white plate

Pantry Dinners

Quick Pantry Dinners for One

Pesto Pasta for One

Make this pesto pasta for one in just 10 minutes with pre-made pesto sauce, like this Arugula Basil Pesto or Pistachio Pesto. It's a quick dinner you can throw together on days you didn't plan ahead and want something equally easy and delicious.

Check out this recipe

bowtie pasta with pesto in a white bowl with ingredients on table

Black Bean Pasta

Shop your pantry to make this quick black bean pasta. In just 15 minutes, you can chop up some veggies, throw in canned black beans, tomatoes and other ingredients from your pantry to make a delicious dinner.

Check out this recipe

square image of black bean pasta with cheese in a bowl

Easy White Bean and Farro Bowl

Clean out your fridge and pantry with this easy white bean and farro bowl. It's packed with satisfying ingredients and subtle flavor.

Check out this recipe

white bean and farro bowl with carrots and leeks in a bowl, with ingredients on table

Easy Baked Salmon in a Bag

This easy baked salmon in a bag recipe is bursting with flavor and moisture, you wouldn't believe how easy it is, or that it's done in less than 25 minutes. It's cooked in parchment paper to maintain moisture without any effort. Plus, it's got the easiest clean up ever.

Check out this recipe

salmon with broccoli and lemon slices in parchment paper

Canned Tomato Pasta

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

Check out this recipe

simple pasta in a white bowl with sausage on top and ingredients behind

Easy Huevos Rancheros

These healthy huevos rancheros are the perfect reason to get you out of bed on a lazy morning. They can be thrown together with a few pantry items in just 10 minutes.

Check out this recipe

tortilla with refried beans, a fried egg, and cheese on top

Dinner in 15 Minutes

Refried Bean Tacos

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.

Check out this recipe

two tacos with red cabbage and cilantro on a plate

Apple Omelette with Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Jump into New England fall with this delicious apple omelette with sharp cheddar cheese for a protein punch.

Check out this recipe

Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad

This 15 minute chicken cranberry walnut salad is the perfect easy lunch. It's got tender chicken, sweet chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts dressed in a mayo/yogurt dressing that's wonderfully sweet and tangy. Make this chicken salad even quicker by using precooked chicken, it takes 5-7 minutes to assemble. Serve it over greens, in a sliced croissant, in a sandwich or a wrap for lots of options.

Check out this recipe

chicken salad over greens with crasins on top

Chapati Roll with Summer Vegetables

This chapati roll, or rolex as it's called in Uganda is the perfect super easy lunch or dinner recipe. All you need is an uncooked tortilla, eggs, cheese, and your fave seasonal vegetables.

Check out this recipe

Light Pasta Carbonara

This healthy carbonara pasta is just as good as the best versions you've had, it just has less added fat without skimping on flavor or creaminess. Not only is this carbonara recipe healthy and delicious, it can be made in just about 15 minutes.

Check out this recipe

pasta with peas, prosciutto, and a poached egg in a bowl

Watermelon Chicken Salad

Bring watermelon onto your dinner plate with this easy watermelon chicken salad. It's made with sweet juicy watermelon, tender chicken, peppery arugula, salty feta, and chewy barley. This salad is summer on a plate, no doubt!

Check out this recipe

large bowl full of watermelon, blueberries, feta cheese on a table

FAQ

Why is cooking for one so hard?

It's hard for lots of people, but it doesn't have to be. It just takes a different approach to planning and cooking than cooking for more than one. Learn more about cooking for one in this article about Meal Planning for One.

Is cooking for one worth it?

The most important question to ask yourself is-do I like cooking? If you like cooking, than cooking for yourself can be worth it, you just may need to take a different approach to cooking, and to like it. Learn more on Nourish Nutrition.

What are some easy recipes when cooking for one?

You can find 18 easy single serving recipes including ones you can make with just one pot or pan, recipes using pantry ingredients, and recipes that can be made in 15 minutes or less.

Did you make these cooking for one recipes? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!

Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

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.

The Best Cooking for One Recipes

Table of contents

How do I make it easy to cook for one?