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]
Table of contents
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.
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.
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.
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
Fluffy 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.
Check out this recipe
Apple Pie Overnight Oats (with yogurt)
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
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.
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Rice (single serving)
This comforting, cheesy, creamy mushroom chicken with rice for one 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
Enjoy the best summer flavors with this easy watermelon chicken salad. It's made with sweet juicy watermelon, tender chicken, peppery arugula, salty feta, and chewy barley. This single serving salad is summer on a plate, no doubt!
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Single Serving Bacon Wrapped Chicken (hack)
This easy single serving bacon wrapped chicken is the best way to enjoy fall and winter flavors without much effort at all. It just takes about 10 minutes hands on time, 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 (for one)
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 for One
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
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.
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 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.
Check out this recipe
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.
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 (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.
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 (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.
Check out this recipe
Delicata Squash Soup for One
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 (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.
Check out this recipe
Warm Harvest Bowl with Crispy Tofu (2 servings)
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
Meatloaf for One
This meatloaf for one can be made with ground beef, turkey, or a combination. Bake in just 20 minutes, with sides, for 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.
One Pan Panko Pork Chop Dinner (for one)
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
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!
Check out this recipe
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.
Check out this recipe
Fish Tacos with White Sauce for One
Enjoy fresh and flavorful fish tacos with white sauce for one 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 for One (4 ingredients)
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
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.
Check out this recipe
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.
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 Serve Apple Crisp
This single serve 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 for One (3 ingredients)
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
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.
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!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
great to hear! it's really helpful to have recipes for one in your back pocket
Casey says
I love the idea of a single serve chocolate chip cookie. It keeps you from overindulging.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
it's great when you don't need more than one
Chenee says
These are great recipes! That chicken bacon ranch sandwich is calling my name!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
it's so good!
Sara Welch says
This is such a great roundup of single serve dishes! Easy, convenient and delicious!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
agreed!
Kim says
My last kiddo just flew the coop! It's just my husband and I now so although I realize these recipes are meant for one, it has been very easy for Mr to double and just make for the two of us. I appreciate the advice and great recipes!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
so easy! enjoy this new phase in life
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