Check out the 50 best single serving recipes. These recipes are flavorful, easy, and perfect for everyone who is cooking for one. They'll be something to look forward to, and actually pretty simple to make.
[This single serving recipes post was originally created in November 2022. It has been updated with new recipes, expert tips]
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Cooking for one is something that a lot of people don't enjoy. I get it, cooking is often a way to show love and care for others. But it's harder do that for yourself. I find it helpful to focus on easy, quicker recipes.
As someone who has been cooking for one for about 14+ years, I've found some helpful ways of approaching it, and tips and tricks to make actually cooking easier.
I also share things I've learned from working with my solo cooks clients as a dietitian. Through all this, I've got lots of info and tips to share with you.
I've compiled a long list of 50+ single serving recipes that are delicious, mostly easy, and definitely something to look forward to. You need to eat couple times each day, so why not find easy recipes to look forward to, especially for dinner.
I share more tips and resources in the posts listed below, so you'll really just find single serving recipes here. But don't worry, you can learn more about cooking for one in the resources below.
I've got you.
Cooking for One Resources
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
- Chicken Recipes for One
- Pantry Recipes for One
- Meal Planning for One
- Free Cooking for One Cookbook
- Cooking for One Cooking Hacks
- Pasta Recipes for One
- Small Batch Dessert Recipes
Breakfast Recipes for One
These breakfast recipes range from easy recipes to single serving recipes that you'll want to make when you have more time, or want breakfast for dinner. A combination of throw together breakfasts and recipes like pancakes is helpful.
Pancakes for One
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.
Check out this recipe
Peanut Butter Yogurt
Make this 3 ingredient peanut butter yogurt bowl for a delicious high-protein breakfast. It's great with granola or used as a snack dip for apples and graham crackers.
Check out this recipe
Microwave Egg in a Cup
Easy microwave egg in a cup (or mug or bowl) is a super quick breakfast. Cook 1.5-2 minutes for fluffy souffle-like eggs. Add whatever toppings you like for a quick tasty breakfast in less than 10 minutes from start to finish.
Check out this recipe
Waffles for One
Homemade waffles for one are easy to make in 30 minutes (including resting time!) and delicious to eat. This simple recipe uses pantry ingredients and a buttermilk substitute, if you don't have any. This recipe makes 1 ½-2 large waffles.
Check out this recipe
Baked Oats for One
Quickly assemble this baked oats for one and let your oven do all the work while you're getting ready for the day.
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Baked Oats for One
Transform your bowl of oats into a gooey, cake-like delight with this easy baked cinnamon sugar oats recipe.
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Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Microwaved apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup turn into a syrupy soft, topping for your new favorite fall breakfast: apple pie overnight oats. This recipe still takes just 5-7 minutes to make, and will make your morning so delicious.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Recipes for One
I like to freeze chicken to thaw when I plan on using it. Buy managers special or sale chicken to store for later. There are so many great easy recipes with chicken in them.
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.
Check out this recipe
Mediterranean Grain Bowl for One
This tangy Mediterranean grain bowl for one is ready in 20 minutes. It's full of lots of pantry ingredients, most of which can be swapped for what you already have. Use this recipe, especially the dressing, and adjust to use what you have.
Check out this recipe
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. Depending on how thin the chicken breast is, it can cook in about 15-20 minutes. A mayonnaise coating seals in the juices so it's not dry.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples
This chicken pecan salad, just like other chicken salad recipes are fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. Use precooked chicken, crisp green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.
Check out this recipe
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
Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
This 30 minute dinner is flavorful, colorful, and full of different textures and flavors. It's so not bland!
Check out this recipe
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
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
Chicken Bacon Sheet Pan Dinner
This easy chicken bacon sheet pan dinner with brussels sprouts is the best way to enjoy fall and winter flavors without much effort at all. I mean, you literally let your oven do all the work. It just takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, and you can let your oven do 90% of the work.
Check out this recipe
Sweet Sriracha Vermicelli Chicken Bowl for One
This vermicelli chicken bowl is full of juicy chicken with sweet, tangy, and salty flavors that are great with the crisp vegetables included.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Chicken and Mushroom Soup
This creamy, comforting chicken and mushroom soup with wild rice is the perfect winter recipe to warm up with. It just takes about 15 minutes hands-on time and is ready to eat in about 50 minutes. Use frozen chicken to make it even easier!
Check out this recipe
Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
Buffalo chicken flatbread for one or two can be made in 15 minutes. It's is tangy, spicy, and cheesy. It's perfect for a quick dinner if you've got precooked chicken and a few random vegetables that need to be eaten up.
Check out this recipe
One Pot Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta
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.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian Recipes for One
Plant based recipes don't have to be unsatisfying or boring, with lots of flavor added to beans, pulses, or tofu, you can enjoy a delicious, fiber filled plant based meal. These are a few of my favorite vegetarian single serving recipes.
Protein Mac and Cheese
Protein mac and cheese recipe 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.
Check out this recipe
Sticky Tofu
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.
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Pantry Rice and Bean Soup
Throw together this 30 minute rice and bean soup 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.
Check out this recipe
Italian Beans for One (Instant Pot)
Italian beans for one is an easy one-pot vegetarian dinner that's cooked in the Instant Pot. Cook white beans from dried to get tender, richly flavored beans. Add some vegetables and enjoy with crusty bread for a full dinner.
Check out this recipe
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
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 for one.
Check out this recipe
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
Warm Harvest Bowl with Crispy Tofu
This vegetarian harvest bowl with tofu, apples and maple glazed winter squash is a great make-ahead meal for lunches during the week, or a delicious vegetarian dinner. Batch cook each ingredient to use it in even more recipes for the week.
Check out this recipe
Beef Recipes for One
Just like chicken, I prefer to buy already frozen beef or get some on sale and freeze for later. Thaw in the fridge for 24+ hours or in warm water. It'll save money and you'll be ready to make a quick single serving recipe.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuffed squash recipes are the epitome of delicious fall flavors. This easy stuffed acorn squash recipe with ground beef and rice is made in an Instant Pot and on the stove.
Check out this recipe
Mongolian Beef for One
Make this 30 minute classic Chinese-American dish. It's got a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor.
Check out this recipe
Individual Meatloaf
Individual meatloaf made with ground beef, turkey, or a combination is an easy dinner for one. It can be baked in just 20 minutes, with sides, making it an easy weeknight dinner. This meatloaf for one is so tender and juicy, it's a great comforting meal.
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Swedish Meatballs for One
Make these tender Swedish meatballs with ground beef and/or pork, and simmer in a creamy sauce. They're great served over noodles.
Check out this recipe
Pork Recipes for One
Just like chicken and beef, I buy sale pork chops or ground pork and freeze it for later. These pork recipes are simple and come out very tender.
Panko Pork Chop
This 20 minute, one pan panko pork chop with vegetables is such an easy dinner for one. Crispy panko breading adds a nice crunch to a tender pork chop.
Check out this recipe
Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Vegetables
These easy pan fried pork chops with apples are the perfect easy meal after a long day. They cook up in 15 minutes and just in one pan.
Check out this recipe
Pork Stir Fry
This easy, flavorful pork stir fry is great over rice. It just takes 30 minutes to make.
Check out this recipe
Seafood Recipes for One
Guess what?! Just like the animal proteins, I buy frozen seafood. Living off the coast, this is the best option for fresh seafood, plus it's less expensive. So go stock up and throw together any of these simple recipes.
Shrimp and fish thaw really nicely, or can be cooked from frozen in some recipes. These are some of my favorite throw together single serving recipes.
Jerk Shrimp Pasta
Make this jerk shrimp pasta if you're in the mood for a 20 minute dinner that's spicy, creamy, and bursting with flavor! It's similar to the Jamaican Italian fusion Rasta Pasta, but can be adapted to use up ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Check out this recipe
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!
Check out this recipe
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
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 or clean up.
Check out this recipe
Fish Tacos with White Sauce and Orange Salsa
Enjoy fresh and flavorful fish tacos with white sauce during the winter by topping them with a sweet and tangy orange salsa made with Cara Cara oranges. What's even better is that this easy fish taco recipe has only 10 ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Dessert Recipes for One
Sometimes it's nice to make one serving of dessert so you don't have to eat the same thing for a week or fill your freezer with cookies. These single serving dessert recipes are tasty and easy.
Biscoff Milkshake
A biscoff milkshake for one takes 5 minutes and 4 ingredients, so it's the perfect dessert when you need a quick dessert. Caramel and cinnamon flavors of Biscoff cookies and butter, blend together with creamy vanilla ice cream for a cool treat.
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Single Serving Brownie
Make this single serving 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.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Banana Milkshake
This 6 ingredient, 5 minute strawberry banana milkshake is a satisfying, quick dessert for one. It's got 2 secret ingredients to give it a summery bright strawberry flavor and is made with ingredients you can find in your fridge and freezer.
Check out this recipe
Single Serving Apple Crisp
This single serving apple crisp is the perfect easy fall dessert for one. It takes just 10 minutes to assemble, and about 30 to bake. It's good out of the oven, but honestly really shines at room temperature-if you can wait!
Check out this recipe
Butterscotch Milkshake
5 minute creamy butterscotch milkshake for one is made with just 3 ingredients, when you use store bought butterscotch sauce. Or make it with my easy butterscotch recipe. Because it's so easy, it's a great spring/summer dessert to cool down with.
Check out this recipe
Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie
Make this single serve chocolate chip cookie when you're in the mood for chocolate chip cookies, but don't have freezer or counter room. It's really easy, delicious, and will leave you with one big crispy, gooey, chocolatey cookie.
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Did you make any of these single serving recipes? Leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
Anjali says
It's so helpful to have this list of recipes with just the right amount for one! Especially for breakfast - I make your baked oats for one often and it always turns out great!
Sara Welch says
This is such a great roundup of single serve dishes! Easy, convenient and delicious!
Ieva says
Thank you so much for this beautiful collection of recipes! My husband travels with work quite a bit, and I always find myself struggling to find things to eat on my own. Cannot wait to try some of these recipes 🙂
Rebecca says
oh perfect! enjoy
Tara says
Bookmarked this for later! Thank you so much for sharing. My husband and I tend to disagree on what to eat so this is perfect. So excited to try the butterscotch milkshake!
Rebecca says
oh perfect, enjoy the milkshake
Anjali says
Love all of these single serving recipe ideas!! They all look so tasty I can't decide which one to try first - but it might have to be the Chapati Roll with Summer Vegetables - looks like a delicious lunch recipe!
Rebecca says
it's so good! enjoy
Sara Welch says
Such a great round of of dishes for one! Looking forward to enjoying most of these over the Thanksgiving break; especially after cooking for many friends and family!
Rebecca says
awesome! enjoy
Andrea says
It's always hard deciding what to make when you're on your own. This list will definitely come in handy. Bookmarking now.
Rebecca says
great! enjoy