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Answer the question of what to make for dinner with these quick and easy dinner ideas for one. These single serving dinner recipes are simple, satisfying, and perfect for anyone cooking for one.

Pork Stir Fry with white rice topped with sesame seeds

What to make for dinner? Coming up with dinner ideas to answer this question every day is a challenge. Especially when you are cooking for one.

It’s often hard to find the time to cook, especially if you’re cooking for yourself. It can sometimes be easier to cook from a box or to order from a local restaurant. But the simple act of preparing a meal for ourselves is one of the most nurturing, loving things we can do. It’s a real form of self-care and when you have the ingredients and a desire to cook, you can create and enjoy a fabulous meal for one in no time.

More and more of us have been turning toward healthy eating and taking control by preparing our own meals. There has been more interest in learning how to cook, being exposed to new dishes at restaurants as well as from foodie shows. We want to make those dishes at home as well as have some fun experimenting with different ingredients or spices to make something that we enjoy. That is where the fun begins.

To create single serving meals that you’ll want to make and enjoy, we would like to offer some easy and quick dinner ideas that are the perfect place to start.

Easy Dinner Ideas For One

ground pork stir fry in a blue bowl next to onions and parsley

Pork Stir Fry For One

4.85 from 33 votes
A pork stir fry recipe that's easy to make and filled with flavor. Ground pork seasoned perfectly and cooked with vegetables served with a terrific sauce over rice. Ready in under 30 minutes!
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caprese chicken with roasted cauliflower on a white plate next to a yellow flower

Chicken Caprese For One

5 from 18 votes
Healthy baked Chicken Caprese, an easy to make recipe filled with flavor! One chicken breast, seasoned and baked along with one sliced tomato, onions, a splash of balsamic and topped with melted Mozzarella cheese. A wonderful single serving meal!
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Turkey Chili For One | One Dish Kitchen

Turkey Chili For One

4.80 from 10 votes
Easy 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 around 30 minutes!
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Salisbury Steak on a plate with green beans.

Salisbury Steak For One

4.76 from 29 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.
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a mini chicken and rice casserole topped with chopped green peppers in a square red baking dish.

Chicken and Rice Casserole For One

4.96 from 24 votes
You won't find canned soup in this chicken and rice casserole made with mushrooms, garlic, and cream. This wonderful single serving recipe is filled with so much flavor!
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two steak fajitas filled with beef and yellow peppers in a black cast iron plate

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!
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lemon garlic chicken on a bed of cooked orzo pasta

Lemon Garlic Chicken For One

4.91 from 30 votes
Easy to make and full of flavor, this Lemon Garlic Chicken For One is sure to please. This single serving meal cooks in under 30 minutes and can be cooked in the oven or on the grill. Serve over rice or orzo pasta. For a low carb variation, serve in a lettuce wrap.
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Roasted sausage, red and yellow peppers and onions in a white and blue bowl

Sheet Pan Sausage And Peppers For One

5 from 7 votes
Simple Sausage and Peppers Sheet Pan Recipe For One. Easy cleanup because everything is cooked on one sheet pan! Simple, easy, and incredibly delicious.
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a white plate with three pieces of breaded chicken pieces on top of fresh spinach and buffalo sauce

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!
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Baked Stuffed Fish Fillet For One | One Dish Kitchen

Baked Stuffed Fish For One

5 from 6 votes
Fish fillet stuffed with sautéed bacon, celery, onions and garlic. Bakes in 30 minutes! Low carb and delicious!
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mustard chicken in a blue bowl on a silver tray

Mustard Chicken For One

5 from 26 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.
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chicken thighs topped with marinara sauce next to roasted potatoes on a clear plate

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken For One

5 from 11 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.
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a mini quiche lorraine in a small red baking dish next to a glass of red wine

Crustless Quiche Lorraine For One

4.70 from 30 votes
You certainly won't miss the crust in this lovely Crustless Quiche Lorraine for one! It's perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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a plate of shrimp scampi on a silver tray next to a brown napkin.

Shrimp Scampi For One

4.88 from 24 votes
This easy shrimp scampi recipe features shrimp simmering in a luscious garlic butter sauce and is served over pasta. This simple single serving meal looks elegant but takes just minutes to make!
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five pan seared scallops in a mini cast iron skillet next to sliced lemons and topped with chopped parsley.

Seared Scallops For One

5 from 5 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!
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Two ricotta and spinach stuffed cannelloni noodles on a white plate.

Spinach Manicotti For One

4.89 from 9 votes
Spinach Manicotti For One! Two manicotti or cannelloni noodles filled with creamy ricotta, spinach, and plenty of cheese. Easy and deeply satisfying!
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Single Serving Side Dish Options

Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or something special for the weekend, many cooks struggle with not only dinner ideas for one but also what to serve along with the main dish. A side salad or steamed vegetables seems like the easiest way to go – and it’s a perfectly fine one too.

We’ve also got several side dish recipes that are not only easy to make but incredibly delicious. These quick recipes will go well with almost any meal.

I sometimes find myself making a side dish or fresh salads as a standalone snack or small meal if I am not too hungry.

Here are a few of our most popular single serving and small batch side dish recipes:

Don’t Forget Dessert!

Treating yourself to a great dessert is an indulgence that you deserve. Whether you’re looking for a great way to finish a meal or you’re satisfying a craving for something sweet, a dessert is a pleasure that you should happily give to yourself.

Be sure to browse through our dessert recipes, you’re sure to find many to try.

Here are a few favorites:

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

In every one of our recipes, we list ways to use any leftover ingredients from our single serving and small batch recipes. To find this information, click on the recipe title, then scroll down in the post. The information can be found just before the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

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 our FAQ page.

To see examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store 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!

Make 80+ Recipes With This Dish!

Ideal for home chefs, this individual square ceramic baking dish is safe for oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. Simple to use & easy to clean!

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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9 Comments

  1. I love these ideas for an older adult who is living alone and struggles with preparing meals for themselves, which can lead to malnutrition.

  2. 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.

    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.

  3. 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

    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

  4. 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.

    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