7+ Easy Meal Ideas & Recipes for One Person

While it may seem difficult to cook for just one person, many delicious meals require only a handful of simple ingredients and minimal effort. So, if you believe you struggle with cooking, consider seeking inspiration from recipes designed for one serving that even popular celebrities have successfully attempted and mastered.

1. Breakfast with avocado toast, egg, and tomato

This simple breakfast recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy meal for one person. Avocado toast with tomato and egg is a great source of protein and healthy fats.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:

2 cherry tomatoes
½ ripe avocado
Bread slices
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:

Start by selecting ripe avocados that are not too soft, then mash them and season with salt and pepper.
Toast the bread until it is golden brown and crispy.
Next, heat the ghee in a small nonstick pan and cook the egg until the white is set but the yolk is still creamy.
For the final step, spread the mashed avocado on a slice of toast. Place the tomato slices on top of the avocado, followed by the cooked egg. If desired, serve with bacon and add a pinch of salt to season.

2. Lunch with Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is a delectable and convenient meal for individuals. Originally, the sauce was made with just butter, parmesan, and pasta water, but nowadays there are numerous variations available, some incorporating cheese, herbs, or meat.

Total time required: 15 minutes
Difficulty level: moderate
Ingredients:

Parmesan cheese
Garlic
Heavy cream
Fettucine
Instructions:

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the fettuccine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter with the cream in a large skillet. Add garlic, pepper, and salt to taste.
Continuously stir and cook until the cream bubbles and the butter has melted.
Incorporate the parmesan cheese into the mixture.
Toss the fettuccine in the Alfredo sauce and, if desired, garnish with parsley.

3. Eggplant pizzas for dinner

One of the simple dinner ideas for single servings is eggplant pizzas, a straightforward yet incredibly delish recipe that can be whipped up by anyone. With its versatility in taking on rich flavors, eggplant is a fantastic cooking ingredient. This recipe calls for just a few steps, ensuring a meal for one is ready in no time.

Total time: 30 minutes
Level of Difficulty: moderate
Ingredients:

Eggplant
Tomato sauce
Cheese
Basil
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Directions:



Begin by baking the sliced eggplant for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The aim is for the eggplant to be tender but not fully cooked through.
Fill the eggplant slices with tomato sauce, then add a layer of cheese, seasoned with oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
Return the eggplants to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.
After the eggplants are done cooking, drizzle some olive oil over the slices and savor this uncomplicated and flavorful dish.

4. A bowl of yogurt for a speedy breakfast

For a quick morning meal that provides a good source of carbohydrates to fuel your day, try a classic combination of muesli, raspberries, and yogurt. This easy and delicious recipe can be prepared in under five minutes.

Prep time: 5 min
Difficulty: easy
Ingredients:

Plain yogurt
Honey
Fresh raspberries
Muesli (such as oatmeal)
Cinnamon
Directions:

Mix the yogurt with 2 tablespoons of honey until well combined.
Mash half of the raspberries with the remaining honey.
In a bowl or glass, layer the remaining raspberries, yogurt, and muesli.
Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.

5. Gwyneth Paltrow’s carbonara

Kenneth Parltrey is a talented chef renowned for her expertise in the culinary arts and her authorship of four cookbooks. Among her wide range of recipes, one stands out as particularly suited for solo dining. Kenneth’s carbonara dish is hailed as the ultimate effortless dinner choice, offering a blend of warmth, comfort, and simplicity. Additionally, its accessibility is unmatched, as the required ingredients are typically found in most kitchens.

  • Total time: 20 min
  • Difficulty: easy

Ingredients:

  • Pancetta/bacon
  • 2/3 eggs
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Pepper
  • Spaghetti

Directions:

  1. Place the pancetta in a frypan until crispy, as Gwyneth suggests.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, egg yolks, parmesan, and pepper.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water for a few minutes.
  4. Toss the pasta in the bowl with the cheese and eggs.
  5. Finally, stir in the pancetta and any rendered fat from the pan.

6. Chicken Caprese, ideal for lunch and dinner

A great option for an effortless lunch or dinner idea is the Chicken Caprese, a variation of the classic Caprese dish with the addition of deliciously cooked chicken. This single-serving recipe is quick to prepare and bursts with flavor.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: moderate
Ingredients:

– Olive oil
– Chicken breast
– Balsamic vinegar
– Garlic
– Grape tomatoes
– Fresh basil
– Mozzarella slices
Instructions:

1. Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper on both sides and cook until it turns golden.
2. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate and add balsamic vinegar and garlic to the skillet.
3. Then, toss in the grape tomatoes and let them simmer on low heat until they soften.
4. Return the chicken and tomatoes to the skillet, and layer the mozzarella slices on top. Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the mozzarella to melt.

7. Dwayne Johnson’s “Rock Toast”

Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” has garnered attention on Instagram by sharing recipes and alternative variations for a quick meal designed for single servings. The renowned celebrity has gained recognition for his unique “rock toast,” showcasing his prowess in the kitchen. Embracing the food philosophy of “Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself,” Dwayne ensures he indulges in a delightful breakfast. Crafting his famous toast only involves three simple steps.
  • Total time: 5 min
  • Difficulty: easy

Ingredients:

  • Thick brioche toast
  • Peanut butter
  • Whipped cream
  • Maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Take two-thirds-inch-thick slices of brioche bread.
  2. Spread a layer of peanut butter on the top.
  3. Add the whipped cream and maple syrup.

8. Baked sweet potato stuffed with feta cheese and spinach

When it comes to preparing a tasty, easy, and quick meal for one person, sweet potatoes always come in handy. While there are numerous ways to cook sweet potatoes, we’ll share a recipe that requires only a few ingredients and can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Give this recipe for feta cheese and spinach-stuffed sweet potatoes a try – it promises a delectable outcome.

Total time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:

2-3 sweet potatoes Feta cheese Spinach
Instructions:

1. Bake the sweet potatoes in the oven for approximately 45 minutes, adjusting the time according to their size.
2. Once they are tender, split them open to prepare for stuffing.
3. In a frying pan, cook the spinach until it reduces in size.
4. Combine the feta cheese with the cooked spinach.
5. Stuff the sweet potatoes with the cheese and spinach mixture, and season with salt and pepper.

9. Meghan Markle’s 3-ingredient zucchini pasta

Renowned for its simplicity, this meal for one is credited to the charming Meghan Markle, who extols the virtues of her zucchini bolognese pasta, emphasizing that only three ingredients are required to achieve its delectable and creamy consistency. “It’s solely zucchini, water, and a hint of bouillon,” remarked Markle when discussing her recipe. “The resulting sauce is incredibly creamy – you’d think there’s an abundance of butter and oil in it.”

  • Total time: 10 min
  • Difficulty: easy

Ingredients:

  • Zucchini
  • Pasta
  • 1 bouillon cube

Directions:

  1. Prior to cooking her pasta, Megan begins by cooking the sliced zucchini.
  2. Use a four to five-hour slow-cooker cycle to cook the zucchini until it melts into a creamy sauce.
  3. Toss the pasta with the zucchini suace.

Do you have a favorite recipe for one person you’d like to share with us?

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