10-Minute Single-Serving Recipes to Cook for You and Only You (2024)

Eating alone can be a great way to experiment with dishes and discover flavors you really love. But for a lot of us who dine solo at least once a day, cooking can be more of a pain than a pleasure. So many recipes out there make multiple servings, meaning you’re stuck with the same leftovers for longer than you’d like. Plus, why spend an hour making a meal you’re going to inhale in five minutes?

Next time you find yourself on your own for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even dessert, pick from one of these 21 quick meal ideas that are ideal when you’re cooking for one. Each makes just one perfectly portioned serving, and better yet, takes 10 minutes (at most!) to come together.These meals are exactly what you need when you’re short on time and dining companions but don’t want to be shortchanged on quality.

1. Avocado Toast With Eggs, Kale, and Tomatoes

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There’s a reason avocado toast is the world’s most popular breakfast these days: It’s super easy, filling, and a healthy way to feed just one person. This recipe goes the extra mile to make it a full and filling meal, piling two scrambled eggs and wilted kale on top. And yup, the whole thing really can come together in 10 minutes!

2. Single-Serving Breakfast Oatmeal Cookie

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Cookies for breakfast is every sweet tooth’s dream, and this one—made skillet-style, in a ramekin—doesn’t disappoint. Packed with oats, a dash of cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s really not all that different from a regular bowl of oats, but it’s so much more fun to eat in cookie form.

3. 10-Minute Breakfast Brussels Sprouts and Eggs

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Give potatoes a break and pair your eggs with a hash made from Brussels sprouts instead. A quick, eight-minute flash in the pan gets them slightly charred and crispy, and they put you well on your way toward your vegetable quota for the day.

4. 10-Minute Chocolate Brownie Cauliflower Oatmeal Bowl

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In just 10 minutes, this recipe meets an impressive number of requirements: It’s quick, it satisfies a chocolate craving, it has no added sugar, and it keeps the carb count in check by swapping out half the oats for riced cauliflower! If a bowl of oatmeal could mic drop, this one totally would.

5. Single-Serve Waffle

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No waffling about what to eat for breakfast with this recipe around. Dairy-free and whole grain, it’s simply flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, studded with pecans, and cooked to single-serving perfection.

6. Healthy Banana Split Breakfast

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Swapping out the ice cream for Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, the chocolate syrup for strawberry jam, and whipped cream for fresh berries allows this classic soda fountain dessert to be transformed into a breakfast delight. Playful but healthy, it’s a really fun way to start the day.

7. Fall Breakfast Quinoa Bowl

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For a gluten-free departure from oatmeal, this quinoa bowl comes together in a jiffy with the help of the microwave. With the grain cooked until soft, fresh fruit for sugar-free sweetness, and lots of nuts and seeds for crunch, it’s a flavor and texture treat. And don’t worry about its season-specific title—this is too good not to enjoy all year round.

8. Paleo Zucchini Bread Pancakes

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With an entire zucchini grated into the batter, these 10-minute pancakes aren’t just fast, they’re also full of fiber. Held together with an egg, coconut flour, and almond butter, they’re also a lower-carb alternative to a regular short stack. And the very best part? The entire batch is yours to eat.

9. 10-Minute Hummus Pasta With Zoodles, Greens, and Lemon

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Most pasta dishes need more than just 10 minutes to come together, but if you’re really short on time, you can still get your noodle fix by making a speedy and scrumptious sauce out of hummus and some lemon juice. Tangy and robust, it’s great for jazzing up spiralized zucchini but even holds up well with regular spaghetti.

10. Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich

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With an entire avocado and half a cup of chickpeas, this recipe makes a huge serving that you get to enjoy all by yourself. Packed between two slices of hearty wheat bread, it’s a way to seriously step up your sandwich game.

11. Paleo Tuna Avocado Boats

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An avocado a day keeps the doctor away (no, really). Stuff it with protein-rich tuna, lycopene-filled tomatoes, and fiber-packed celery, and you can pretty much count on feeling good after this meal—and all it takes to make is five minutes.

12. 10-Minute Fried Rice for One

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It makes an inevitable appearance in all our fridges once in a while: that carton of leftover rice from the takeout you ordered last night. Repurpose it into this fast fried rice by sautéing it with your favorite veggies, a touch of soy and miso paste, and ginger and garlic. If you don’t already have baked tofu on hand, the plain extra-firm variety should work just fine.

13. 10-Minute Smoked Salmon, Spinach, and Egg White Wraps

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If you’re looking for a lower-carb way to eat smoked salmon than putting it on a bagel, try rolling it up in an omelet with a touch of Dijon mustard and some wilted spinach. It’ll keep you protein-powered, and it’s delicious without being too much work.

14. Greens and Beans on Toast

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Beans on toast is a good start. But for one extra minute, you can toss in some garlicky wilted kale for even more flavor, plus a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, and K. To take it over the top, finish with some chopped basil and a dusting of Parmesan.

15. 10-Minute Tomatoes, Tempeh, and Tortilla Chips Sauté

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Sometimes, tossing random ingredients in a skillet can yield some surprisingly fantastic results. This recipe is proof: With crumbled tempeh, crushed tortilla chips, slivered almonds, and grape tomatoes, it’s an experiment gone very, very right.

16. 10-Minute Vegan Quesadillas

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It’s really easy—and fast—to slap way too much cheese between two tortillas and call it dinner, but this quesadilla opts for some fillings that are just as quick and much more substantial: protein-rich refried beans, shredded carrots for more fiber, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for dairy-free cheesy flavor. Grill until crisp and top with sliced avocado—now that’s a proper quick-fix dinner.

17. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole for One

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Casseroles are usually made in huge dishes, designed to serve hungry crowds. But why should a lone diner miss out? Using ready-made rice, a few spoonfuls of cheese, and a handful of broccoli florets, this microwave-made meal is quick but as comforting and convenient as the real deal.

18. Microwave Cheesecake Mug Cake

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From the cream cheese filling to the graham cracker crust, this mini-cheesecake is every bit as good as a regular-sized version, and you don’t even need to worry about the size of your slice because this entire thing is for you. If you have a few extra minutes, we recommend popping this in the refrigerator before you eat it so that it can chill and taste even better.

19. Healthy Cookie Dough Crumbles for One

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Free of eggs and dairy and even suitable for Paleo eaters, this coconut flour-based, gluten-free treat gives you all that crumbly cookie dough goodness without the risk of feeling sick afterward. Pro tip: If you’re into smoother cookie dough, just stir in more water or plant-based milk.

20. 2-Minute Single-Serving Apple Crumble

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It usually takes a crumble a while to get golden and crisp in the oven, but this recipe smartly uses granola to get those all-important clusters without adding extra time. Meanwhile, a zap in the microwave softens the apple just enough. You’ll be digging in in all of two minutes.

21. Skinny Single-Serving Microwave Brownie

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If your take on chocolate is “the more bitter, the better,” this brownie is for you. Made with unsweetened cocoa powder and just two teaspoons of agave, it’s a fudgy delight for dark chocolate fans.

10-Minute Single-Serving Recipes to Cook for You and Only You (2024)

FAQs

What are some good meals for a single person? ›

Meal-for-one recipes
  • Aubergine & sesame dan-dan-style noodles. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  • Super steak with cheat's béarnaise. ...
  • Smoky bacon pot noodle for one. ...
  • Kung pao cauliflower & prawn stir-fry. ...
  • Flattened chicken with tomatoes, olives & capers. ...
  • Microwave mug omelette. ...
  • Christmas dinner for one. ...
  • Summer risotto.

How do you cook for just one person? ›

12 tips that make cooking for one person a breeze
  1. Keep staple items on hand. Buy cooking basics in bulk and store them in air-tight containers. ...
  2. Buy individual pieces of produce. ...
  3. Learn how to scale down recipes for one person. ...
  4. Get creative with seasonings. ...
  5. Freeze extra ingredients and leftover meals.
Sep 19, 2018

What to cook when you're single? ›

Cooking for One: Recipes for the Single Person
  • Socca (Chickpea Flatbread) with Roasted Veggies & Goat Cheese.
  • 5-Minute Breakfast Tacos.
  • Roasted Vegetable & Barley Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing (great leftovers!)
  • Single-Serving Scones.
  • Single-Serving Cherry Crisp.
  • Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake.
Mar 13, 2024

What to make for dinner alone? ›

Keep scrolling for a bunch of solo dinner ideas that you'll actually get excited to make.
  • Broccoli and Bacon Loaded Sweet Potato. ...
  • Sausage and Tomato Sauce Pasta. ...
  • Old-Fashioned Jacket Potato. ...
  • Egg, Avocado, and Tomato Toast. ...
  • Mug Baked Rigatoni. ...
  • Turkey Chili for One. ...
  • Microwave Hot and Sour Soup. ...
  • Orange-Maple Glazed Salmon.
Mar 14, 2023

Is there a meal plan for just one person? ›

EveryPlate offers meal kits for one that are quick and easy to prepare, and require minimal clean-up. With our meal delivery service for one person, you also receive your food delivered to your door - there's no need to drive to the store, hunt for ingredients, or spend time standing in line.

What is a solo meal? ›

The act of eating a meal alone -also referred to as "solo-dining" -is, in contrast, often perceived critically and less pleasurable to most people [20,38].

What is a personal cook? ›

A personal cook works in private homes preparing daily meals for individuals or families or menus for special occasions such as parties. They may work for one household or several if they are employed by an agency. Personal cooks could also prepare meals for businesses.

How to cook cheaply for one? ›

Budget meals for one
  1. Dhal with garam masala carrots. ...
  2. Pea & ham pot pie. ...
  3. Super-quick sesame ramen. ...
  4. Baked ginger & spinach sweet potato. ...
  5. Brown butter linguine. ...
  6. Chorizo hummus bowl. ...
  7. Microwave shakshuka. ...
  8. Sardines & tomatoes on toast.

How to cook just for yourself? ›

Cook large portions of food to divide up.

For example, if you only have one or two nights to cook for yourself, use them to make large batches of steamed grains, cooked chicken, or roasted veggies. Store them until you're ready to add them to meals throughout the week.

How do you cook for one person without wasting food? ›

Cooking for One with Zero Waste
  1. Keep a Food Waste Journal. ...
  2. Seek Out Single-Serve Recipes. ...
  3. Prep Once, Eat All Week. ...
  4. Make a 'Big Salad' ...
  5. Shop at Farmers Markets or CSAs. ...
  6. Get the Right Storage Containers. ...
  7. Learn the Truth About Food Date Labels. ...
  8. Find Your Favorite 'Kitchen Sink' Recipes.

How do I make the best out of my single life? ›

In order to thrive while being single, take the time to get to know yourself better and pursue your unique hobbies and interests. Relying on your support system, focusing on self-care, and avoiding couple-themed media can also help you feel happy and fulfilled as a single person.

How to just be single? ›

She also recommends a few ways to help build your confidence and comfort with being single.
  1. Make lists of your strengths and achievements. ...
  2. Practice good self-care. ...
  3. Find a new hobby. ...
  4. Remember you don't have to be in a relationship to feel connected. ...
  5. Let your friends and family help you feel connected.
Feb 8, 2021

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

27 Weeknight Dinner Ideas For People With Literally No Time
  1. Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles. ...
  2. Bacon Avocado Caesar Salad. ...
  3. Cacio e Pepe. ...
  4. 5-Ingredient Zucchini Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce. ...
  5. Italian Chopped Salad. ...
  6. Easiest Garlic Bread Pizza. ...
  7. Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls. ...
  8. Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad.
Nov 8, 2023

What to make for dinner when you're broke? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
  • Chili Lime Baked Tilapia With Avocado Crema. ...
  • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. ...
  • Energy-Boosting Buddha Bowl. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
  • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Pesto Chicken Bake.
Dec 21, 2023

What foods should you eat every single day? ›

Here are the top 15 foods you should be eating according to our experts:
  • Fish. ...
  • Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
  • Beets. ...
  • Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Peanut butter. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Mangos.
Apr 5, 2019

What are the simplest meals? ›

Our Go-To Easy Dinner Idea? Soup!
  • 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup. As simple and easy as it sounds. ...
  • Taco Soup. Like tacos, but soup! ...
  • Tikka Masala Soup. Your favorite Indian chicken recipe, soup-ified. ...
  • Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Kale. Can we just call this “The Soup”?

How can I eat cheap for one person? ›

Budget meals for one
  1. Dhal with garam masala carrots. ...
  2. Pea & ham pot pie. ...
  3. Super-quick sesame ramen. ...
  4. Baked ginger & spinach sweet potato. ...
  5. Brown butter linguine. ...
  6. Chorizo hummus bowl. ...
  7. Microwave shakshuka. ...
  8. Sardines & tomatoes on toast.

What is a good daily meal? ›

eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day) base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein.

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