32 Easy Meals for One Person

How to make cooking for one easy

This list of recipes is a great place to get started if you cook for one, but here are a couple easy cooking for one resources to make cooking easy and more enjoyable.

• Cooking for One Pantry Essentials
• Pantry Recipes for One
• Meal Planning for One
• Free Cooking for One Cookbook
• Cooking for One Cooking Hacks

Weeknight Dinners for One

• Quick Pantry Dinners for One
• The Best Single Serving Recipes
• Small Batch Desserts
• Chicken Recipes for One

What do lazy dinners for one look like?

I'd definitely describe myself as a solo cook who loves to cook. But I don't like cooking every single day, and 90% of the time, I don't want to spend more than 30 minutes cooking dinner.

I also don't want to have to go to the store to get one ingredient.

Making easy recipes incorporates a few things to me. It includes:

• Ingredients easily found at most American grocery stores
• Not too many steps in a recipe
• Not too many dishes. Lots of one pan meals.
• A meal that's one dish, a simple main dish + a unique and exciting side dish, or an interesting main dish with a side with the same seasonings.
• Quick 30 or shorter meals

Is there still space to make more complex recipes, or recipes with ingredients not often found at typical American grocery stores?

Of course, but it's not required every day. 45 minute recipes aren't every day recipes, unless it's mostly cooking time.

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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Interested in eating more plant based meals? This white bean tomato bake is easy and has all the best spaghetti flavors.

Chickpea Curry for One

This vegetarian curry for one is made with canned beans and pantry staples. It's flavorful, budget friendly, and can be ready in less than 20 minutes.

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This quick plant based dinner is flavorful, comforting, and easy. It's a great option out of all the easy meals for one person.

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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Enjoy the best flavors from a burrito in this pantry rice and bean soup. Serve it with a quesadilla for a full meal.

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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Chicken parm is such a delicious meal, but traditional recipes are a couple too many steps. This one pot version with an easy crispy topping makes for an easy dinner.

15 Minute Recipes

These 15 minute recipes are great for days where you don't have much time, are very hungry, or didn't plan ahead of time. These quick, easy meals for one person include pantry and a few other ingredients, and are very easy to make.

Shrimp Fried Rice for One

This fried rice recipe is full of shrimp and vegetables. What's best is that it's ready to eat in just 10 minutes.

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Fried rice is a classic very quick dinner recipe. You can adapt the recipe to use ingredients you already have on hand. Use frozen shrimp and veggies in this 10 minute recipe.

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Salmon for One (15 minutes)

This air fryer frozen salmon recipe is ready in 15 minute, making it great for days you didn't plan dinner. Add frozen vegetables and fries to the basket and make a whole dinner for one in your air fryer.

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There are lots of easy single serving meals, this air fryer frozen salmon takes just a few minutes to assemble, and you can let your air fryer do all the work.

Microwave Easy Mac and Cheese in a Mug

All you need to make this recipe is a mug, microwave, and a handful of basic ingredients for a cozy, delicious meal.

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Dinner doesn't get any easier than in the microwave. This easy mac & cheese can be made in a mug for dinner in a few.

Microwave Pizza in a Mug

In less than 10 minutes you can have a delicious microwave pizza in a mug. You'll use crescent rolls, pizza sauce, mozzarella, seasonings, and pepperoni.

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Who would have thought you can make pizza in the microwave? Dinner in 10.

Microwave Fettuccine Alfredo in a Mug

This easy microwave fettuccine alfredo is made in a mug, and is ready in just about 10 minutes.

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Microwave dinners again! Pasta can cook well in the microwave, so might as well turn that easy pasta into a creamy, delicious, alfredo pasta.

One Pot/One Pan Recipes

Another way to save time when cooking is to cut down on the number of dishes you're doing. These one pot/pan recipes will help you limit dishes and save time cleaning up.

Frittata for One

In 30 minutes, you'll have this delicious bacon, spinach, and cheese frittata for one. This is an easy, one pan dinner that's full of flavor.

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Eggs can be so easy, and they can also be flavorful and special. This easy single serving frittata is easy, flavorful, and special.

Single Serve Mac and Cheese

Dinner is just 15 minutes away with this easy single serve mac and cheese. It's versatile, delicious, and made with a handful of pantry ingredients. Enjoy it as is or add a side for a filling meal. Or try this Protein Packed Mac & Cheese.

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Delicious pasta dinner in 15 minutes. This mac & cheese is special, creamy, and super cheesy.

Sticky Tofu for One

Sticky tofu is an easy tofu recipe with a flavorful sauce. Pan fry the tofu in cornstarch for crispy edges, then add the soy sauce based sauce to thicken it up and add lots of flavor to your tofu. Serve with rice and a veggie for an easy 20 minute dinner.

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Make this easy sticky tofu recipe, it's so flavorful and you can cook the tofu and vegetables together. Serve over frozen rice or another grain for a quick dinner.

Chili without Tomatoes

This easy chili without tomatoes is perfect if you don't have or don't like diced tomatoes in your chili. In about 30 minutes you've got a hearty chili full of ground beef, beans, onion, green bell pepper, and warm comforting spices.

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This chili without tomatoes is an easy, one pot recipe. We add bell pepper and beef broth to add flavor since there are no tomatoes in this recipe. It's a favorite.

Easy Baked Salmon in a Bag for One

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 or clean up.

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Easy dinner + easy clean-up is the perfect combination for dinner. Let your oven do all the work with this special dish.

Turkey Avocado Sandwich with Chipotle Sauce

Transform your turkey avocado sandwich lunch routine with crisp bread toasted in bacon fat, spicy, tangy chipotle sauce, melty provolone cheese, turkey, bacon, and rich avocado for the ultimate turkey sandwich.

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Turkey sandwiches are easy, but turn it up with a chipotle sauce and freshly fried bacon.

Chili without Tomatoes

This easy chili without tomatoes is perfect if you don't have or don't like diced tomatoes in your chili. In about 30 minutes you've got a hearty chili full of ground beef, beans, onion, green bell pepper, and warm comforting spices.

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Tomatoes are great in chili, but you don't even need them here. This chili takes about 30 minutes, and is super comforting and tasty.

Vegetarian Crunchwrap

This vegetarian crunchwrap is a textural dream! Creamy seasoned refried black beans, cheese and vegetables pressed in a tortilla with crunchy chips tucked right inside. It’s such a fun change on taco night.

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Layer in all the beans and veggies for this crunchy delicious crunchwrap.

Chicken Recipes

I know lots of people love chicken, here are a few of my favorite easy meals for one person that include chicken in them. Enjoy chicken in so many ways with these recipes.

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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Pizza is always a great option, top it with fresh ranch dressing, chicken, bacon, and veggies.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken (for one)

Make a strawberry spinach salad with chicken for one in just 10 minutes with cooked chicken, sweet strawberries, avocado, pistachios, and hemp hearts. It's bathed with an easy 4 ingredient balsamic dressing that you'll want on everything!

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Enjoy all the best summer flavors in this strawberry salad with chicken.

Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl

This chicken teriyaki pineapple bowl is a great, affordable dinner. It's simple and probably uses many ingredients you already have on hand.

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Make this chicken, veggie, pineapple bowl for an easy, flavor filled dinner.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich

Make this easy chicken bacon ranch sandwich with leftover chicken (or freshly cooked) in about 15 minutes. Tender chicken, crispy and salty bacon, herby ranch, and gooey cheese make for the perfect filling in this sandwich.

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Oh this chicken bacon ranch sandwich is so flavorful, easy, and exciting. I mean it's got ranch and bacon on it. Add a fresh tomato and lettuce to balance out the salty bacon.

Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One

Combine the best salty, earthy, and meaty flavors in this 20 minute creamy one pot chicken bacon and mushroom pasta. Quickly cook your pasta while preparing your mushrooms then add it back after cooking the meat and mushrooms for a super easy one pot dinner for one.

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Pasta doesn't have to be boring. Make this chicken, bacon, and mushroom pasta in one pot. In 20 minutes, you'll have a delicious, easy dinner.

Panera Copycat Chicken Salad with Peanut Butter and Honey Dressing

This fresh and crunchy chicken salad with peanut butter and honey dressing is actually a favorite Panera Bread copycat recipe! Make your own version right at home easily and without spending the money.

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Salads are very easy and a great option if you're cooking for one. The delicious peanut butter dressing really makes this salad.

Juicy Baked Panko Chicken for One

This panko chicken is very easy to make, throw some potato wedges and vegetables in with it to make a one pan dinner in about 30 minutes. A tasty mayonnaise coating seals in the juices so it's not dry at all.

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I love this juicy baked panko chicken recipe. It's easy, and has such a great crust on it. Bake some potatoes and vegetables with it to make it even easier.

Seafood Recipes

I always have some type of seafood in my freezer, it makes throwing together easy meals, well much easier. I don't defrost it much, and it can turn out great. Stock up on frozen or canned seafood to save money and last a long time.

Instant Pot Fish from Frozen

This Instant Pot fish recipe is the easiest way to cook fish. Not only is it easy, but it comes out tender, flaky, and perfect in less than 20 minutes. It's best served hot with this lemon herb couscous. It can even be cooked frozen!

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Make tender fish from frozen with this instant pot fish recipe. Some of the best easy meals for one person use frozen fish.

Tuna Caesar Salad

Tuna caesar salad is a tasty spin on a classic caesar. It's got crispy lettuce, parmesan cheese, garlicky croutons, a tangy dressing, and tuna fish. Enjoy it for lunch or dinner.

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Make canned tuna really shine in this easy caesar salad. It's a great way to turn a simple salad into something filling and delicious.

Single Serving Frozen Shrimp Foil Packet

Make this single serving shrimp foil packet in the oven for a 20 minute dinner for one. This recipe, with frozen shrimp requires no clean-up because you cook it in foil!

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Cooking shrimp, veggies, and potatoes in foil makes for a flavorful, easy dinner. This recipe can be made at home, on a grill, or campfire. It's versatile.

Vegetarian Recipes

Plant based meals are often easy and low cost. Stock up on canned and dried beans and pulses, tofu, TVP, eggs, etc. There are lots of ways to enjoy easy meals for one person that include plant based protein sources.

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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Tacos act as a great easy dinner. Throw them together with whatever random ingredients you have in the fridge. Quick meals often use pantry ingredients.

Versatile Grain Bowl for One

Grain bowls are a simple and balanced meal option that you can customize based on your own needs and preferences. Follow this formula and use your favorite staple ingredients!

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Throw more veggies and beans into a bowl with your favorite grains for this easy meal.

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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Coconut milk, red curry powder, lentils, veggies, and rice make for an easy dinner. This dish is ready in about 30 minutes.

Kale Salad with Easy, No Fuss Dressing

This kale salad is super delicious and customizable. The no-fuss dressing adds lots of flavor.

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Add your favorite protein and grain to this salad for a full, satisfying veggie filled dinner. Customizable salads are great when you're cooking for one.

Vegan Pizza on a Tortilla

Try this easy melty vegan version of a Mexican pizza from Taco Bell for a quick meal or snack!

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Use up whatever ingredients you have in the fridge. Veggies, beans, tomatoes, and cheese are delicious on this tortilla based pizza.

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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.