Easy Dinner Ideas For One (2024)

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By Joanie Zisk

on Dec 01, 2021, Updated Feb 15, 2024

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Having trouble finding easy dinner ideas for one? Cooking for yourself can be simple. Discover our quick, effortless, and tasty dinner suggestions designed just for you. Enjoy a range of options that transform solo dining into a delightful and easy experience.

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The Joy of Cooking for One

Cooking for yourself is a nurturing act, a form of self-care that goes beyond mere sustenance. With the right ingredients and a little enthusiasm, you can whip up a fantastic meal that caters to your personal taste and health needs.

Trending Toward Healthy Eating

There’s a growing trend of people taking control of their diets by preparing meals at home. Exposed to a variety of dishes through restaurants and food shows, many are keen to recreate these flavors in their own kitchen, adding a personal twist with different ingredients and spices.

Quick and Easy Single Serving Recipes

Pork Stir Fry For One

4.86 from 35 votes

Make a quick and healthy single serving ground pork stir fry with our easy dinner for one recipe. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for a delicious, nutritious, and fast dinner. Ideal for busy weeknights!

Pork Stir Fry Recipe

Chicken Caprese For One

5 from 18 votes

Enjoy a single serving of Chicken Caprese, ready in 30 minutes. A classic Caprese blend with seasoned chicken, tomatoes, red onions, balsamic glaze, and melted mozzarella. Simple, elegant, and easy to clean up, it's the perfect mix of health and taste.

Chicken Caprese Recipe

Healthy Turkey Chili For One

4.80 from 10 votes

Single serve Turkey Chili recipe made with lean ground turkey, tomatoes, vegetables, and spices. A healthier alternative to beef chili, this flavor packed single serving meal can be ready in 30 minutes!

Turkey Chili Recipe

Salisbury Steak For One

4.77 from 30 votes

This Salisbury Steak Recipe For One is single serving comfort food at it's finest. Low in carbs and topped with a mushroom, onion gravy. Made with with pantry staples, this comforting meal can be ready in minutes.

Salisbury Steak Recipe

Chicken and Rice Casserole For One

4.97 from 29 votes

Enjoy a homemade single serving Chicken and Rice Casserole, the ultimate comfort food made from scratch. A healthier option that ditches canned soup.

Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Steak Fajitas For One

4.67 from 3 votes

Classic Tex Mex steak fajitas are an easy and adaptable dish to make. Consider topping yours with shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream. For a low-carb option, enjoy the cooked steak and vegetables over a plate of chopped salad greens: truly spectacular!

Steak Fajitas Recipe

Lemon Garlic Chicken For One

4.91 from 31 votes

Enjoy a single serve Lemon Garlic Chicken meal, ready in under 30 minutes. Cook it in the oven or on the grill, and serve with rice, pasta, or in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option. Quick, versatile, and full of flavor.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Small Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers & Onions For One

5 from 7 votes

Enjoy a quick and easy single serving Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Onions recipe. Savory Kielbasa, colorful peppers, and onions roasted to perfection, ready in under 30 minutes for a no-fuss, flavor-packed meal.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders For One

5 from 4 votes

This small batch of buffalo chicken tenders are perfect for lunch or dinner. The seasoned chicken strips are baked and then tossed in a homemade buffalo sauce. Ready in less than 30 minutes!

Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe

Baked Stuffed Fish For One

5 from 7 votes

Enjoy a simple and satisfying single serving of baked stuffed fish, made with minimal ingredients. This low-carb dish is perfect for a quick & healthy meal.

Baked Stuffed Fish Recipe

Creamy Mustard Chicken For One

5 from 28 votes

Easy-to-make classic French inspired Creamy Mustard Chicken recipe that's ready in only 20 minutes. Tender chicken in a creamy sauce flavored with mustard and tarragon.

Mustard Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken For One

5 from 13 votes

A recipe that's been in our family for years, this slow cooker Italian chicken is a winner! Made with simple ingredients and packed with amazing flavors. This single serving version features tender, juicy chicken with a flavorful tomato-based sauce. Wonderful served over pasta, rice, or potatoes.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Recipe

Crustless Quiche Lorraine For One

4.75 from 35 votes

Shrimp Scampi For One

4.89 from 26 votes

Quick and easy shrimp scampi recipe featuring juicy shrimp, zesty lemon, and a hint of garlic, it's the perfect quick and elegant meal for one or a romantic dinner for two.

Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Pan Seared Scallops For One

5 from 6 votes

Learn how easy it is to make a few pan seared scallops with a golden crust and melt-in-your-mouth texture. An elegant dish yet so easy to make! Perfect for a special occasion or any day of the week. Ready in minutes!

Seared Scallops Recipe

Spinach Manicotti For One

4.89 from 9 votes

Delight in Spinach Manicotti For One, with two noodles stuffed with creamy ricotta, spinach, and cheese. An easy, satisfying cheesy dinner for one!

Spinach Manicotti Recipe

Ideal Single Serving Side Dishes

Finding the right side dishes to complement your main course can be a challenge, especially when cooking for one. While a simple side salad or steamed vegetables are always reliable options, there’s room for creativity and variety in your meal planning.

Our collection includes several side dish recipes that are not only effortless to prepare but also add a burst of flavor to your meals. These quick and versatile recipes are perfect pairings for a wide range of main dishes.

For those times when you’re not very hungry, these side dishes can also serve as a light snack or a small, satisfying meal on their own.

Explore some of our most popular single serving and small batch side dish recipes:

Sautéed Green Beans
Corn Muffins
Mashed Potatoes
Rice Pilaf
Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Delightful Single Serving Desserts

Indulging in a delicious dessert is a well-deserved treat for anyone. Whether it’s the perfect end to a meal or a sweet treat to satisfy a craving, enjoying a dessert is a joyous experience.

We invite you to explore our array of dessert recipes, each tailored for single servings. You’ll discover a variety of options to suit any taste.

Check out some of our favorite picks:

Mini Boston Cream Pie
Mini Dutch Apple Pie
Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie
Mini Hummingbird Cake
Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Maximizing Leftover Ingredients with Our Recipe Finder

To make your cooking experience even more efficient, we’ve created a special section on our website: the Leftover Ingredient Recipe Finder. This tool is designed to help you utilize any leftover ingredients from our single serving and small batch recipes. Simply type in the ingredient you have left over, and our Recipe Finder will present you with a list of recipes that include that specific ingredient. This feature is a great way to explore new dishes and ensure that nothing goes to waste. With this tool, you’ll discover creative and delicious ways to use every bit of your ingredients.

Please be sure to check out these other helpful articles:

Small Batch Cookie Recipes

Breakfast Recipes Worth Waking Up To

Slow Cooker Recipes For One

Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes

Soup Recipes For One

If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit ourFAQ page.

To see examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit ourStore page.

If you’ve tried any of our single serving One Dish Kitchen recipes please let me know how you liked them by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

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Cooking for One Articles Main Dish

Welcome!

I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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11 Comments

Your mustard chicken recipe is one of my favorites. Also small loaf bread. I use you recipes almost daily and have learned how to scale down other recipes. Thanks so much.
Reply
1. Thank you so much!
  Reply
I love these ideas for an older adult who is living alone and struggles with preparing meals for themselves, which can lead to malnutrition.
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I so love your recipes it make my life so much easier thank you so much for making life easier
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Hi Joanie – This is coming to you from Australia. Have tried many of your recipes and have loved them all. Also have your book which is the only one I now need. I look forward to receiving your newsletter each week and can’t wait to see what good things you have for me to try. Many thanks.
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1. Hello Joy, I’m so happy you are enjoying the recipes from our website and from our cookbook. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
  Reply
Hi,
The recipe for the slow cooker Italian chicken looks great. Can you tell me the name of the slow cooker you used and what size it is? (blue one) Love being apart of the community.
Thanks,
Anita
Reply
1. Hi Anita,
  I absolutely LOVE the little blue slow cooker too! It’s a Hamilton Beach Party Crock and as far as I can tell, is no longer available. You might have luck finding one at a thrift store or maybe by reaching out to the company.
  It is a 1.5-quart slow cooker. I recommend and use this one – https://amzn.to/2lcL3PR
  Joanie
  Reply
  1. Thanks Joanie 😊
Dear Joanie it is so refreshing to find recipes for single serves. Also they are practical and “everyday” ones and not too fancy or complicated. It is almost impossible to find a cookbook for one ! I am fed up with cooking for myself and trying to break down the ingredients to suit. I will certainly be giving your recipes a go. Good luck with your book, I am sure it will be a success.
Reply
1. Hi Pat,
  Thank you so much for letting me know you are enjoying the recipes – comments like this mean so much.
  Take Care,
  Joanie
  Reply