Cooking for one is not an easy task. Finding practical single-serving recipes that aren't wasteful can be quite a challenge. And to be honest, when you are alone it's much easier to just order takeout or eat a bowl of cereal. Who wants to go through the process of dirtying up a bunch of dishes when you are only feeding yourself?
There are, however, plenty of recipes for super easy and delicious meals that are perfect when cooking for one. Here are 16 solo meals that you can make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
BREAKFAST
Egg in a Hole
One of the easiest breakfast ideas for one, the recipe for Egg in a Hole begins with two pieces of sliced bread with the centers cut out. Or, you can use two bagels. Next, heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, then place a tablespoon of butter in the pan and let it melt.
Add your bread and fry for about two minutes, until golden brown. Flip your bread over, then crack an egg into the middle of the hole. Sprinkle the egg and bread with salt and pepper, then cover the pan with a lid.
Let the egg cook until it is set, for about three minutes. Top with feta cheese, dill, and red chilis.
Apple Pie Oatmeal
Kick your oatmeal up a few notches with this recipe for Apple Pie Oatmeal. This super delicious recipe calls for quick oats, brown sugar, apples, butter, water, and apple pie spice. To make the apple pie spice, you'll need cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cardamom.
Asparagus, Canadian Bacon, and Cheese Frittata
This dish works well for breakfast or brunch, and it's super easy. To make this Asparagus, Canadian Bacon, and Cheese Frittata, you'll need eggs, Parmesan cheese, milk, freshly grated lemon zest, kosher salt, black pepper, EVOO, asparagus stalks, and Canadian bacon.
LUNCH
Chicken Taco Salad
The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond has a recipe for chicken taco salad that is a delicious, healthy lunch for one. This easy-to-make dish features toppings of corn, Roma tomatoes, grated cheese, avocados, green onions, cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.
Homemade Pizza
Who doesn't love a slice of pizza for lunch? With this recipe from Valerie Bertinelli for homemade pizza, you won't have to order an entire pie. Instead, customize these petite pizzas with the toppings you love, from veggies to meats and everything in between.
For the tiny crust, you'll need active dry yeast, water, honey, sugar, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, bread flour, kosher salt, and olive oil.
Loaded Nacho Grilled Cheese
If you love nachos and grilled cheese, then you'll love this recipe for a Loaded Nacho Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It features seasoned ground beef, spicy salsa, avocado, black beans, jalapeno peppers, and crushed Doritos. And of course, it's covered in yummy Tex-Mex cheese.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
This recipe for chicken salad from the Food Network is better than what you'll find on any takeout menu. It features poached chicken, celery, scallions, parsley, mayo, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. You can easily serve this chicken salad on your favorite toasted bread or on a bed of lettuce.
Small-Batch Broccoli Chicken Soup
Full disclosure, this recipe for warm and cozy broccoli chicken soup makes enough for two. But, it's so delicious that you'll want the leftovers later. This easy recipe features bacon, cream, and plenty of tender chicken and broccoli.
Single-Serve Mac 'n' Cheese
Skip the boxed stuff because this recipe for Single-Serve Mac 'n' Cheese is just as easy to make, and way more delicious. All you need is two ounces of your noodle of choice, a tablespoon of butter, two tablespoons of flour, 3/4 cup of milk, 1/4 teaspoon of mustard powder, and a 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
Chipotle Chicken Burritos
If you are craving something spicy, try this recipe for Chipotle Chicken Burritos. This comfort food features fresh Mexican flavors plus a little heat served in a warm tortilla. If you're up for it, this includes a recipe to make your own fresh salsa.
DINNER
Five-Minute Steak with Fish Sauce and Lime Butter
Yes, it's easy to make a delicious steak for one in just a matter of minutes. All you need is this recipe for Five-Minute Steak with Fish Sauce and Lime Butter from Food52.
This sweet and salty recipe calls for a thin-cut boneless strip steak or rib eye, a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, a tablespoon of grapeseed oil, a handful of green beans, one lime, a teaspoon of fish sauce, some dark brown sugar, and a tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Ketchup Spaghetti for One
The head chef of the New Grand Hotel invented Ketchup Spaghetti because tomato sauce was a difficult ingredient to find in postwar Yokohama in the 1950s. This led to ketchup being used as a substitute in the sauce, and it's absolutely delightful.
For this recipe, you'll need spaghetti noodles, kosher salt, egg, olive oil, black pepper, butter, red onion, red bell pepper, ketchup, sugar, milk, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.
Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Once again, this is a recipe that actually makes two servings. However, you can easily cut the ingredients in half and make this dish for one. This recipe for Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken is a meal you will not get tired of anytime soon. It's so delicious, we recommend making the entire recipe and eating the leftovers the next day.
Orange-Maple Glazed Salmon
This recipe for Orange-Maple Glazed Salmon can be ready in just 15 minutes. All you have to do is head to the seafood counter at your local grocery store and buy enough salmon for one. Then, all you'll need is pecans, an orange, garlic powder, sea salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, and pure maple syrup.
Single-Serving Veggie Ramen Bowl
Skip the Cup Noodles and bring your ramen game into adulthood with this recipe for a Single-Serving Veggie Ramen Bowl. You can easily dress this dish up with your favorite Asian veggies and a soft-boiled egg.
Lasagna for One
You don't have to make an entire pan of lasagna when you have a craving for this comfort food. This recipe from One Dish Kitchen is called Lasagna for One, and it's a single-serving of saucy, cheesy heaven.
When you need a solo meal, skip the fast food and the microwave TV dinners. Instead, opt for one of these delicious dishes that are easy to make when you're at home alone.
