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Cooking for one in college doesn’t have to mean eating the same thing every day or relying on packaged meals. Whether you’re working with a dorm microwave or a small apartment kitchen, these easy recipes are made with simple ingredients and are perfect for your schedule and budget.
Table of Contents
Quick Tips
- Use time-savers like pre-shredded cheese, frozen vegetables, and rotisserie chicken.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and portion them in containers to save time during the week.
- Try choosing one recipe per day to simplify meal planning and reduce food waste.
Essential Tools
- Small saucepan or small skillet
- Baking dish (around 5×5-inch, 5×7-inch, and 10-ounce ramekin)
- Toaster oven or standard oven
- Microwave-safe bowl or mug
- Cutting board and a sharp knife
Shopping & Substitutes
A few staples can go a long way in a small kitchen.
Pantry Basics:
- Stock up on items like pasta, canned beans, rice, olive oil, broth, and basic spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.).
Protein Picks:
- Choose versatile proteins like chicken breast, ground beef or turkey, shrimp, or a rotisserie chicken to use across several meals.
Easy Swaps:
- For vegetarian options, use beans, lentils, or tofu in place of meat.
- For gluten-free needs, substitute regular pasta or bread with gluten-free versions or use rice.
Stove Top Favorites For One
Make the most of your stove with easy, flavorful meals. From quick stir-fries to hearty soups, these recipes are perfect for college cooking.
Caprese Pasta For One
This single serving Caprese pasta is made with tender pasta, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. It’s a quick, flavorful meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Caprese Pasta For One Recipe
Tuscan Chicken For One
This creamy, single serving Tuscan Chicken recipe features tender chicken strips cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Ready in 30 minutes.
Tuscan Chicken For One Recipe
Shrimp Fried Rice For One
Shrimp Fried Rice made with cooked rice and plenty of shrimp and vegetables. An easy single serving meal that cooks in just 10 minutes!
Shrimp Fried Rice For One Recipe
Chili Mac For One
This single serving chili mac is a hearty blend of pasta, ground meat, beans, and spices cooked in one pan. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful meal for one.
Chili Mac For One Recipe
Taco Soup For One
This single serving taco soup is packed with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and tomatoes, creating a hearty and flavorful meal. It comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Taco Soup For One Recipe
Single Serving Oven Baked Meals
Turn your oven into a go-to tool for easy, satisfying meals. These recipes include everything from casseroles to roasted chicken, all perfectly sized for one.
Personal Pepperoni Pizza
This personal pepperoni pizza recipe features a homemade dough, flavorful sauce, and classic toppings like mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. It's simple to make and perfectly portioned for one or two people.
Personal Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Lasagna Rollups For One
Treat yourself to a single serving of Lasagna Rollups, featuring the perfect mix of cheese, meat, and sauce all rolled into one. Simple to prepare and full of flavor!
Lasagna Rollups For One Recipe
Baked Pork Chop For One
Tender and juicy oven-baked pork chop, perfectly seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices. This quick and easy recipe takes just 15-20 minutes to bake and delivers a melt-in-your-mouth pork chop every time.
Baked Pork Chop For One Recipe
Baked Chicken Breast
This baked chicken breast recipe is seasoned simply and cooked until tender and juicy. It’s an easy, reliable meal made with just a few basic ingredients.
View Recipe
Mini Lasagna
This mini lasagna is a perfectly portioned, hearty dish made with layers of noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese. Ideal for one or two servings!
Mini Lasagna Recipe
Toaster Oven Meals For One
A toaster oven does more than just reheat or toast, it’s a great tool for small kitchens. From chicken tenders to nachos to sheet pan lasagna, you can make quick, flavorful meals with minimal cleanup. Just check that your dish fits and follow your model’s instructions.
Baked Chicken Tenders For One
These baked chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in just 20 minutes. A quick and easy meal made with simple ingredients.
Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe
Sheet Pan Salmon for One
This one-pan meal features roasted salmon and asparagus, seasoned with a flavorful butter mixture and baked on a sheet pan. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s an easy and delicious dinner!
Sheet Pan Salmon for One Recipe
Nachos For One
This small batch of loaded nachos are made with crispy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. They’re quick to assemble and perfect for a satisfying snack or easy meal.
Nachos For One Recipe
Baked Buffalo Chicken For One
Indulge in a quick and easy single serving Baked Buffalo Chicken, perfect for spice lovers. A juicy chicken breast topped with homemade buffalo sauce and melted mozzarella, ready in 30 minutes.
Baked Buffalo Chicken Recipe
Baked Shrimp For One
This baked shrimp recipe features juicy shrimp tossed in a lemon butter sauce and baked to perfection in just 10 minutes. Perfect for a quick, flavorful single serving meal.
Baked Shrimp For One Recipe
Single Serve Breakfast Ideas
Fuel your day with these perfect-for-one breakfast recipes. From sweet baked oatmeal to hearty egg dishes, we have options to jumpstart your morning right.
Breakfast Sandwich For One
Ready in minutes, this breakfast sandwich is a great way to start the day. Made with simple ingredients, this hearty meal makes the perfect breakfast!
Breakfast Sandwich For One Recipe
Breakfast Bowl
This easy breakfast bowl is made with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese, then topped with green onions for extra flavor. It’s a quick, customizable meal that’s perfect for starting the day. Ready in just 10 minutes!
Breakfast Bowl Recipe
Pancakes For One
Make fluffy pancakes for one with this easy recipe! Perfectly portioned, ready in 15 minutes, and made with pantry staples for a quick, delicious breakfast.
Pancakes Recipe For One
Baked Oatmeal For One
This single serving baked oatmeal is made with old-fashioned oats, milk, honey, and your favorite fruit. It's a warm, hearty breakfast that's easy to make!
Baked Oatmeal For One Recipe
Small Batch Drop Biscuits
This small batch drop biscuit recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for one or two people. Ready in just 20 minutes, these buttery, tender biscuits are great for breakfast, dinner, or with soup. No rolling or cutting required!
Small Batch Biscuits Recipe
No Recipe (Minimal-Prep Meals)
When you’re short on time or equipment, these simple meal ideas are just what you need. With minimal ingredients and no exact measurements, they’re quick, easy, and satisfying.
Pasta al Limone For One (Lemon Pasta)
Pasta al limone, also called lemon pasta, is a delicious Italian dish that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with savory pasta. This simple yet elegant single serving dish is ready in 15 minutes!
Pasta al Limone For One Recipe
Peanut Butter Toast
Peanut butter toast with apple slices and a drizzle of honey make a quick and easy breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Perfect for fall and apple season!
Peanut Butter u0026 Apple Toast Recipe
Chicken Salad For One
Enjoy a fast and flavorful Chicken Salad for one with our 10-minute recipe. Leftover chicken, veggies, and pecans create a healthy, tasty dish.
Chicken Salad For One Recipe
S’mores Dip For One
This single serving s’mores dip is an easy, oven-baked twist on the classic campfire treat. Melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows come together in minutes—just grab your favorite dippers and enjoy!
Mini S’mores Dip Recipe
Tomato Salad For One
This simple, single serving tomato salad is made with fresh tomatoes, red onion, and capers, all tossed in a light olive oil and lemon dressing. It’s quick to make and full of bright, fresh flavor.
Tomato Salad For One Recipe
Easy Microwave Desserts
Your college microwave can do more than reheat – it can make quick, delicious desserts, too. These easy recipes are perfect for sweet treats right in your dorm room.
Small Batch Chocolate Candy
This small batch chocolate candy recipe is easy to make with just two ingredients. Melted chocolate is mixed with nuts, dried fruit, or other add-ins, then chilled until firm for a delicious homemade treat.
Small Batch Chocolate Candy
Small Batch Microwave Fudge
Whip up rich and creamy fudge in just minutes with this easy microwave recipe! Perfectly portioned for a small batch, it’s ideal for sharing or enjoying as a quick treat. This simple recipe is sure to be a hit with friends and family.
Small Batch Microwave Fudge
Rice Krispie Treat For One
A single serving Rice Krispie Treat made with butter, marshmallows, and crispy rice cereal—quick, easy, and perfectly chewy!
Rice Krispie Treats For One
No Bake Desserts For One
No oven? No problem. These no-bake desserts are perfect for dorm living and use simple ingredients you likely have on hand. From chocolate peanut butter treats to puppy chow, enjoy easy, fuss-free sweets without baking.
No-Bake Cheesecake For One
This single serving, no-bake cheesecake features a creamy, whipped filling over a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s quick to make and perfect when you want a single sweet treat.
No Bake Cheesecake For One
Small Batch Puppy Chow
This small batch Puppy Chow is a sweet, crunchy snack made with cereal coated in melted white chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. It’s quick to make and perfectly portioned for one or two people.
Small Batch Puppy Chow
Small Batch Peanut Butter Balls
These peanut butter balls are a simple, no-bake treat made with just three ingredients. They’re easy to make and perfect for one or two servings, bringing back the nostalgia of classic school lunchroom treats.
Small Batch Peanut Butter Balls
Strawberry Icebox Cake For One
This single serving strawberry icebox cake is made with layers of graham crackers, a creamy whipped filling, and fresh strawberries. It’s an easy, no-bake dessert that’s light, refreshing, and perfect for one.
Strawberry Icebox Cake For One
More Single Serve Dessert Recipes
Finish your meal with an easy dessert made for busy students. From a deep dish chocolate chip cookie to a rich fudgy brownie, there’s a sweet treat for every taste.
Small Batch M&M Cookies
Enjoy our small batch M&M cookies! These soft, chewy cookies are packed with buttery flavor and loaded with colorful M&Ms that add a delightful crunch and chocolatey sweetness. Perfectly portioned, this recipe makes just enough cookies for a satisfying treat without any extras.
Small Batch Mu0026M Cookies
Small White Cake
A soft and tender small white cake baked in a ramekin, topped with a simple vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for a single treat or to share.
White Cake For One Recipe
Easy Apple Crisp For One
Enjoy a single serve Apple Crisp – a quick and easy dessert with warm, spiced fruit and a crumbly topping, made using just one apple and pantry staples.
Apple Crisp For One Recipe
Small Batch Brownies
Rich and fudgy small batch brownies made with simple ingredients. Perfect for one or two people, these brownies are quick to make and packed with intense chocolate flavor.
Small Batch Brownies Recipe
Mini Chocolate Pie
This mini chocolate pie features a rich, homemade chocolate pudding poured over a cookie crust and chilled until set. It’s an easy, small batch dessert with big chocolate flavor.
Mini Chocolate Pie Recipe
Storage & Scaling Guide
Cooking for one means less waste, and sometimes doubling a recipe can save time later.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. Store them in airtight containers.
- Most recipes keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, but always check for freshness before eating.
Scaling Up:
- Many recipes in this roundup easily double if you want to prep for another day.
- Cook once and enjoy it again later, perfect for busy class or work days.
Never mind the college students, I’m in my 70s and will be making some of these. In my defence I still study.
Thank you so much for the recipes that are made for one two people.
You are most welcome. I’m so happy you are finding the recipes helpful.
Anybody have suggestions for cookware to make these recipes in? I like the concept but all my bakeware/cookware is larger & I have to thus make more portions than what is featured here.
Hi Stacy,
With each of the recipes, I try to link to the bakeware and cookware I recommend using. Also take a look at our store page which links to all products used in the recipes. You can find many of the small dishes at discount stores, Target, and on Amazon. https://store.onedishkitchen.com/
Joanie
Wow. It looks delicious. I love your recipes. So, I will try to make it very soon. Your recipes will help me. Thanks for sharing.
This is a fantastic list – I’m pinning it for when I need easy meals and to teach my kids now so that they have a selection of recipes that they will always be able to cook.
Great list! I sent this over to my niece who just moved out and is in her first year of college. Thanks.