10+ Recipes for One Person: Easy and Delicious Meals Just for You

Cooking for one can be a fun and rewarding experience. If you’re short on time, space, or ingredients, there are plenty of delicious recipes that make mealtime easy and enjoyable.

From quick breakfasts to satisfying dinners, you can discover a variety of dishes tailored just for you.

With simple preparation and minimal waste, these recipes allow you to enjoy tasty meals without the hassle. Cooking for one doesn’t just save time, it also gives you a chance to explore new flavors and techniques in the kitchen.

1) Crispy Rice Salmon Cucumber Salad

This salad combines crispy rice, fresh cucumbers, and tasty salmon for a delightful meal just for you. The crunchy texture of the rice pairs nicely with the smoothness of the salmon.

To make this salad, start with Persian cucumbers or a large English cucumber. You will love the bright, fresh taste they bring.

Add cooked salmon for protein and feel free to mix in some edamame and green onions for extra flavor. A creamy dressing ties everything together.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked and crispy rice
• 1 large Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cooked salmon, flaked
• 1 cup edamame, shelled
• 3 green onions, sliced
• Creamy dressing (your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the rice until crispy.
2. Slice the cucumbers and green onions.
3. Flake the cooked salmon.
4. In a bowl, combine all ingredients.
5. Drizzle your favorite creamy dressing over the salad and toss gently. Enjoy!

2) Pasta Alla Vodka

Pasta alla Vodka is a delicious choice for a quick meal. It combines creamy sauce with a touch of spice, making it very satisfying.

To prepare this dish, you will need just a few simple ingredients. The best part is that you might already have them on hand.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
5. Pour in the vodka and simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Add heavy cream and mix well.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until well coated.
9. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your meal!

3) Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Bites are a quick and tasty option for a meal. They are simple to make and full of flavor. You can enjoy them alone or with your favorite dipping sauce.

Start by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season them with your choice of spices to add more flavor. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken should be golden and cooked all the way through.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Your choice of seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces.
2. Season chicken as desired.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
4. Place chicken in the air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through.

4) Super Steak with Béarnaise

Cooking for one doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a special meal. The Super Steak with Béarnaise is a great choice for a delicious dinner. This dish is easy to make and packed with flavor.

You will need a nice cut of steak, like ribeye. Pair it with a simple Béarnaise sauce, which adds a lovely touch. This sauce is buttery and has hints of tarragon.

To start, season your steak with salt and pepper. Cook it in a hot skillet or on a grill to your liking. The goal is a nice crust on the outside while keeping it tender inside.

For the sauce, you can find a quick recipe that doesn’t require advanced cooking skills. In no time, you’ll have a delightful meal ready to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 ribeye steak
• Salt and pepper
• For the Béarnaise sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the steak with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C).
3. Cook the steak for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
4. In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and tarragon.
5. Heat the vinegar until reduced by half, then cool slightly.
6. Whisk in egg yolks and cook gently, stirring constantly.
7. Slowly add melted butter to the egg mixture.
8. Serve the steak topped with the Béarnaise sauce. Enjoy!

5) Smoky Bacon Pot Noodle

This Smoky Bacon Pot Noodle is a quick and tasty meal for one person. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

Start by frying a rasher of smoked back bacon in a non-stick pan for a few minutes. Add the white parts of spring onions, some frozen peas, and paprika for a nice flavor boost. Cook for another minute.

Next, mix in some cornflour and vegetable stock. Let it simmer until everything is warmed through. Enjoy your cozy bowl of noodles!

Ingredients

• 1 rasher smoked back bacon, trimmed and chopped
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced (white and green parts separated)
• 50g frozen peas
• 200ml vegetable stock
• Paprika to taste
• Cornflour (for thickening)

Cooking Instructions

1. Fry the bacon in a non-stick pan over medium heat for a few minutes.
2. Add spring onion whites, peas, and paprika. Cook for 1 more minute.
3. Stir in cornflour and vegetable stock.
4. Simmer until all ingredients are heated through.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

6) Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings make a wonderful, comforting meal for one. You can prepare this dish easily without lots of fuss. The warm broth and fluffy dumplings create a satisfying experience.

Start by cooking chicken with some vegetables like carrots and celery. Once the chicken is tender, you can make the dumplings. They are quick to mix up and cook right in the broth, soaking up the tasty flavors.

This dish is perfect for chilly days or when you just need some comfort food. Enjoy your meal by adding a sprinkle of parsley for a fresh touch.

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a pot, combine chicken, carrot, celery, and onion with chicken broth.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer until chicken is cooked.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, milk, salt, and pepper to make dumpling dough.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the broth.
5. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

7) Aubergine & Sesame Dan-Dan Noodles

Aubergine and sesame dan-dan noodles are a tasty and easy dish for one. The flavors blend well, making it satisfying and enjoyable. You can whip it up in no time!

Start by cooking your noodles according to the package instructions. While they cook, prepare the aubergine by cutting it into small cubes. Sauté the cubes in sesame oil until tender.

In a bowl, mix together tahini, garlic, and ginger. Add some soy sauce and a bit of chili oil for a kick. Once the noodles are done, combine everything in the pan.

Serve hot, and enjoy your delicious meal!

Ingredients

• 1 small aubergine, cut into 1cm cubes
• 1 nest dried wheat noodles
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 clove garlic

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the noodles according to package directions.
2. Sauté aubergine in sesame oil until tender.
3. Mix tahini, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
4. Add soy sauce and chili oil.
5. Combine everything in the pan and serve hot.

8) Air Fryer Chicken and Gnocchi

This Air Fryer Chicken and Gnocchi is a quick and tasty meal for one. You’ll enjoy the crispy gnocchi paired with juicy chicken. It’s perfect for a satisfying dinner without much hassle.

To start, season your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and herbs. Then, toss in the gnocchi and a drizzle of olive oil for added flavor.

Place everything in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes. Shake halfway through to ensure even cooking.

The meal is ready when the chicken is fully cooked and the gnocchi is crispy.

Ingredients

• 330g (raw) diced chicken breast or 265g cooked chicken pieces
• Salt
• Pepper
• Mixed herbs
• 500g gnocchi
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and herbs.
2. Toss chicken with gnocchi and olive oil.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
4. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
5. Check for doneness and enjoy!

9) 20-Minute Chicken Breast Dinner

For a quick and tasty meal, try this 20-minute chicken breast dinner. It’s perfect for one person and is easy to make.

Start by seasoning your chicken breast with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. You can use garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning for added flavor.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

You can serve your chicken with steamed vegetables or a simple salad. Adding a squeeze of lemon can brighten up the flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Choice of herbs (e.g., garlic powder, paprika)
• Optional: lemon for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and herbs.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until it is cooked through.
4. Serve with vegetables or salad, and add lemon if desired.

10) Cheat’s Lasagna Cup

Cheat’s Lasagna Cups are a fun and easy way to enjoy lasagna without the fuss. They are perfect for a quick meal when you’re cooking for one. You can use simple ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen.

Start by layering noodles, sauce, cheese, and any additional toppings you love. You can easily customize these cups with vegetables or different meats.

Bake them in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Each cup is a delicious portion, making it perfect for you!

Ingredients

• 2 lasagna noodles
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup ground meat or vegetables (optional)
• Italian seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions.
3. In a muffin tin, layer the ingredients starting with noodles, then sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella.
4. Repeat the layers until the cups are full.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Enjoy!