Make any of these 12 easy pasta recipes for one for a quick weeknight dinner. These delicious recipes make cooking for one easy and something to look forward to. You deserve to eat deliciously!
[This list of easy pasta recipes for one was originally posted in January 2023. It has been updated with an introduction, more pasta recipes, and resources]
Table of contents
I often hear that cooking for one is a chore and something that lots of people don't want to do. If cooking isn't your thing, that's fine, but if you do like cooking, just not 'just for you' this list is for you.
In my own experience and through talking with solo cooks, and working with clients, I've realized that when people are feeling this 'it's just not worth it' to cook for one, it really is, but the way they're cooking isn't worth it.
Either cooking takes too much time/effort (which is fine to feel!), or they are experiencing more loneliness or quiet than they want.
'Cooking for one' doesn't have to take hours a day or look any certain way. It can be assembling deli items, making a quick pantry meal, or spending some time on a special meal. Or it can be all of those options.
We need to redefine what cooking and eating as a solo eater looks like. And add more enjoyment/fun to it.
Here are a few ways I like to bring enjoyment/fun into cooking or assembling food at home:
- Turn on a great dance playlist while cooking
- Listen to a favorite podcast while cooking or eating
- Enjoy a nice drink while cooking
- Do a crossword while eating
- Watch a favorite movie or show while eating
- Read while eating
- Call someone while cooking or eating
Cooking for One Tips
These single serving recipes are 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
Other recipes:
Pastas Using a Can of Tomatoes
These pasta recipes for one don't necessarily use a whole can of tomatoes, but they all use canned tomatoes, which is a great year-round, economical vegetable. Use the rest of the tomatoes in another pasta or recipe listed.
Turn a simple burrito bowl into pasta, swap the rice for pasta. This easy black bean pasta recipe uses pantry ingredients in a new way. It's such a low cost, flavorful meal.
This is one of my favorite recipe ideas. I love chicken parmesan, but having to bread the chicken and cook it separately, is well, just more work than I'd like. Instead, I cook the chicken in the sauce, and cook up breadcrumbs for topping.
If you don't always have a jar of tomato sauce on hand, this pasta is for you. Jarred pasta sauces are great, but sometimes are hard to use up when you're cooking for one. Make this super easy homemade version in 15 minutes.
Vegetarian Pastas
Pasta can have vegetarian based protein added to it, whether it's tofu in a sauce, or lentils for stroganoff, there are lots of options. You can always swap sausage in other recipes for TVP or tofu for a plant based option.
Have you ever blended silken tofu into pasta or other sauce? This is a great way to add some protein to a sauce, without realizing it. This type of tofu makes sauces and soups very silky and doesn't change the flavor.
Lentils and mushrooms are such a great combination. You get a great texture and earthy flavors from both. This easy stroganoff cooks in an Instant Pot for quicker dinner.
20 Minute Pasta Recipes
Quick dinners are a must when you're cooking for one. These easy pasta recipes are ready in 20 minutes, and some can even be made in one pot!
This pasta is so silky, flavorful, and can be made in lots of combinations. Add whatever vegetables you want, sausage shrimp or chicken, this is such an easy easy pasta recipe for one.
These super tender sweet potato gnocchi go great with frozen broccoli (or another vegetable) and a sausage link. This easy 'pasta' recipe for one can be made in one pot in just 10 minutes. Make 2 servings for easy leftovers too.
This fancy seeming pasta is really quite easy and fast. I mean it's ready in about 15 minutes. You really can't get much better than this easy pasta recipe for one.
This is hands down one of my favorite pasta recipes. Adding a slice of American cheese makes it super creamy and cheesy, it's a game changer. Also, wild to say, but I like to make this mac & cheese in the microwave, then bake quickly.
Cook down mushrooms, then add pasta and green beans. This easy pasta with mushrooms and green beans is great on it's own, or with sausage or seasoned TVP. It's quick, can be made in one pan, and is so tasty.
One Pot Pasta Recipes
Cooking for one is so much easier with easy pasta recipes for one that can be made in just one pot. These easy one pot pasta recipes are tasty, and don't require much clean-up.
I love this easy 15 minute single serve mac and cheese recipe, it's one of my favorite pasta recipes for one. Use pantry ingredients on a day you didn't plan on dinner.
Oh this is one of my favorite pasta recipes for one. It's got mushrooms, bacon, and chicken in it. And it's made in one pan. Cooking the meat, mushrooms, then pasta in one pan makes the pasta super silky and creamy. Try it!
FAQ
Buttered noodles are a great easy recipe. My dad made them when I was growing up. Cook elbow noodles (but any pasta works), drain water, add butter and salt to taste.
You can also drizzle olive oil, garlic salt over pasta. Add lemon and/or parmesan cheese if you have it. Frozen vegetables or a protein are great additions, if you have either in the freezer.
I also love a great throw together spaghetti. Cook pasta, add a can of tomatoes, a pinch of salt, a couple pinches of sugar, Italian seasonings, and garlic if you have it. Add frozen vegetables/protein if you have either as well.
What's a serving? I could look it up, but many 1 serving pasta recipes use ½ ish cup of dry pasta. Personally, I like to use ½-2/3 cup of pasta in 1 serving to fill me up more. Most of these easy pasta recipes for one use ½-2/3 cup pasta.
Determine how much you need by your hunger level and when you'll be able to eat next/schedule more than what a serving size 'should be' because those recommendations are arbitrary.
It doesn't have to be covered, especially if it's in sauce or liquid that you want to thicken. It may cook faster when covered, it also may boil over, so try either way.
Did you make any of these easy pasta recipes for one? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
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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.
Katherine says
This is a great collection of pastas for one! I can't wait to try the jerk shrimp version!
Rebecca says
enjoy!
Dannii says
There are so many great recipes to choose from here. Perfect for a solo dinner.
Rebecca says
totally! enjoy
Sharon Chen says
Thank you for all the tips!!! Saving this so I can still get quick lunches when I am swamped with work lol!
Rebecca says
oh a couple will be perfect for busy days
Gina says
This is the perfect list of recipes to work my way through on the days my husband works overnights! Thanks for this!
Rebecca says
great! enjoy