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Dinner Ideas for One
Dinners for nights when it's just you, many ready in about 30 minutes.
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Cooking for one starts at the shop: one chicken breast, half a bell pepper, a single sweet potato. One Dish Kitchen builds its whole list of 35 dinners around portions like that, and says they're ready in about 30 minutes. That's the idea here too. The ideas run from quick pastas to a leftover fried rice and a salad kit topped with warm chickpeas. The list gives you ideas, not full recipes, so look up the method for whichever one you pick. Times quoted come from One Dish Kitchen's own recipes.
Why these items are on the list
- Fettuccine Alfredo, single portion. One Dish Kitchen's version takes five ingredients and about 15 minutes, with a sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Pad thai for one. One of Joanie Zisk's favourite takeout dishes, made at home: sweet, salty and a little spicy.
- Glazed ham steak. Maple, brown sugar and Dijon glaze, made in the same skillet you cooked in.
- Chicken burrito bowl. Chicken, rice, black beans, corn, pico de gallo and avocado, all in one bowl.
- Shrimp scampi with linguine. Garlic, butter and lemon do the work, and One Dish Kitchen has it ready in 20 minutes.
- Sheet pan salmon and asparagus. One Dish Kitchen's recipe roasts one salmon fillet and a handful of asparagus together with garlic butter.
- Crustless pizza bowl. Sausage, marinara and mozzarella baked until bubbly, and you can swap the toppings freely.
- Pasta carbonara for one. Pasta, bacon, egg and Parmesan make a creamy sauce; One Dish Kitchen says about 20 minutes.
- Mini lasagna. Layer meat sauce, ricotta and cheese in a small dish so you bake just one portion.
- Beef stroganoff over egg noodles. One Dish Kitchen puts this beef, mushroom and sour cream sauce on the table in about 30 minutes.
- Baked chicken breast. Simple seasonings, one pan. One Dish Kitchen says 25 minutes; buy a single breast at the butcher counter.
- Fried rice from fridge leftovers. Delish calls it a leftover food: add whatever protein and veg you have.
- Cottage cheese Alfredo. Delish's version adds cottage cheese and spinach to a classic Alfredo, aiming for less fat and more protein.
- Tomato feta omelet quesadilla. Wrap it in foil and eat it on the couch, or add a side salad.
- Avocado toast for dinner. A low-effort way to use up a pile of ripe avocados.
- Twice-baked potato. Mashed potato piled back into its skin. Delish's writer says it's worth the extra effort.
- Caesar salad with roasted chickpeas. Rinse a can of chickpeas, season with olive oil and Italian herbs or za'atar, and save half for tomorrow's lunch.
- Soba noodle salad. Cool the soba, toss with sesame oil and rice vinegar, then mix into an Asian-style salad kit.
- Dumplings with cabbage slaw. Canavan says bagged cabbage slaw in the fridge gets her easy meal mileage.
Keep it on your phone and tick a dinner off once you've cooked it, so next week's pick is already narrowed down. There's nobody else's taste to juggle, so skip whatever doesn't appeal.
When to use it
Useful any weeknight you're eating alone, or when you're planning a week of solo shopping.