This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
New Year’s Day is a time for fresh beginnings and delicious meals, even when cooking for one or two. Treat yourself to something special with our collection of New Year’s recipes, scaled perfectly for smaller servings. From classics like Black Eyed Peas, Cornbread, and Cabbage to indulgent desserts, each dish is packed with flavor and perfect for a memorable celebration at home.
If you’re looking for single serving and small batch recipes to make your New Year’s celebration extra special, try these irresistible options: rich and creamy Hot Spinach Dip, zesty Jalapeño Poppers, crispy Chicken Nuggets, and indulgent Chocolate Covered Oreos.
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
- Just the Right Size: Each recipe is perfectly portioned for one or two, so there’s no waste—just the right amount of deliciousness.
- Simple and Enjoyable: Designed to be easy, these recipes take the stress out of cooking and let you focus on enjoying your meal.
- Celebrate Tradition: Enjoy dishes inspired by classic New Year’s foods like black-eyed peas, cabbage, and cornbread, all scaled down to serve one or two people.
- Something for Everyone: Whether you prefer savory, sweet, or both, this roundup offers a variety of flavors to suit every preference.
- Balanced and Satisfying: These dishes bring together great taste and wholesome ingredients, giving you a flavorful, feel-good start to the year.
Good Luck Foods For New Year’s Day
In the Southern United States, certain foods are cherished for their symbolic meaning, bringing luck and prosperity when enjoyed on New Year’s Day.
- Black Eyed Peas: These are a New Year’s staple, symbolizing prosperity. Their coin-like shape and swelling as they cook represent growing wealth in the year ahead.
- Cabbage: Thought to resemble paper money, cabbage leaves are another good-luck food tied to financial prosperity.
- Cornbread: With its golden color, cornbread is believed to bring the promise of wealth and success.
- Pork: Associated with progress, pork is considered a lucky choice because pigs root forward, symbolizing moving ahead in life.
- Ring-Shaped Desserts: Bundt cakes or donuts are said to bring full-circle luck, representing completion and good fortune in the coming year.
These meaningful dishes make your New Year’s feast more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of tradition and optimism for the future.
Each of the easy New Year’s recipes are accessible by clicking the link for each recipe and then going to the bottom of the specific recipe’s page.
Create Your Perfect New Year’s Menu
Small Batch Black Eyed Peas
Small Batch Cornbread
Baked Pork Chop For One
Brussels Sprouts Salad For One
Smothered Pork Chops For One
Small Batch Corn Muffins
Cowboy Caviar For One
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls For One
Pork Tenderloin For One
Colcannon For One
Roasted Cabbage For One
Small Batch Black Eyed Pea Hummus
Small Batch Ham and Cheese Scones
Mini Texas Sheet Cake
Mini Pavlova
Tiramisu For One
Small Batch Red Velvet Donuts
Eggs Benedict For One
Expert Tips
- Plan Ahead: Organize your New Year’s menu early to ensure you have all the ingredients you need. This prevents last-minute stress and avoids items being out of stock.
- Review Recipes in Advance: Take a moment to read through your recipes beforehand. Identify steps you can prep ahead of time for a smoother and more enjoyable cooking experience.
- Make It Special: Celebrating on your own? Elevate the occasion by using your favorite linens, plates, and utensils. Treat yourself—you deserve it!
- Use the Right Dish Size: Follow the recommended dish sizes listed in each recipe. Properly sized cookware ensures even cooking and the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Most of these recipes can easily be doubled or even tripled to accommodate more people.
Many dishes, like cornbread and black-eyed peas, can be prepared ahead and reheated before serving. Check each recipe for specific make-ahead tips.
Use your best dinnerware, light candles, play festive music, and take time to plate the dishes beautifully for an elevated dining experience.
Sparkling wines like Champagne or Prosecco are classic choices. You can also enjoy a festive mocktail, mulled cider, or a simple glass of wine or beer, depending on your meal.
Plan your meals to use overlapping ingredients. For example, if a recipe calls for buttermilk, you can use the leftover in pancakes or biscuits. Use freezer-friendly options to store extras. Additionally, try our Leftover Ingredient Recipe Finder to discover recipes that use the same ingredients, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Check out these helpful resources:
- Small Batch Cookie Recipes: Enjoy sweet treats without leftovers.
- Single Serving Breakfast Recipes: Start your morning with delicious, perfectly portioned options.
- Slow Cooker Recipes For One: Effortless, slow-cooked meals designed just for you.
- Comfort Food Recipes For One: Savor classic, comforting dishes made for one.
- Single Serving Soup Recipes: Warm up with a flavorful, nourishing bowl of soup.
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 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!
Would love for you to try to make a 5” Italian cream cake. Please let me know if you ever do. I love all your recipes. Thank you
Thank you, Pam. We will definitely add it to our list of potential recipes to develop in the future. Stay tuned!
My family has a great New Year’s Day dinner that is perfect for one or a whole family. It’s a broiled sandwich called a Lone Eagle. Take two slices of bread and butter them. Lay down a slice each of ham and turkey (frozen leftunders are great for this), and add a slice of tomato. Close the sandwich, then butter the top of it and add a slice of cheese. Run under the broiler until the cheese melts, then cut in two and serve. It’s so good you won’t want to wait until 1 Jan to make it again.
Thanks for your recipes, I love to cook, but I ‘m defeated sometimes by the quantity of food recipes make, yours’ are perfect, I tried a lot of them and they taste just as good as they look.