Living with roommates comes with countless perks (live-in friends! an equal distribution of chores!), but something I’ve had to get used to is the difference in our eating schedules and habits. We might be at the dinner table at the same time, but we have different food allergies, cravings, and schedules that often leave me cooking for one. But as someone who loves to cook, finding weeknight dinner recipes for one has been a challenge.
Sometimes, batch cooking can be great, but I often tire of leftovers and end up wanting something totally different the next day. And don’t even get me started on grocery shopping for one! I’ve yet to find the seemingly nonexistent balance between buying too little… and buying way too much. Two avocados? For this avocado toast-lover, definitely not enough. But three? There’s no way I’ll get to them in time. One bag of lettuce is gone in two days, but a second bag will sit in the fridge until it’s bad. So is my plight.
Whether you live alone or not, we all fly solo for dinner every once in a while. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet for weeknight dinner recipes for one that are easy and satisfying. We wanted dishes that are single-serve, require no more than an hour of your time, and use basic ingredients that you probably already have. If you ask me, we definitely succeeded. So, the next time you find yourself on your own for a meal, I encourage you to set the table, light a candle, and treat yourself to one of these deliciously easy weeknight dinner recipes for one. Cooking for one has never been more fun.
Featured image by Michelle Nash.
Keep scrolling for 13 easy, tasty, and soul-satisfying weeknight dinner recipes for one.
Vegetarian
Hummus, Greens, & Avo Bowl
Why we love it: When it comes to making quick and easy weeknight dinners for one, this healthy, easy, and delicious bowl checks all the boxes. With fiber-rich kale, broccolini, and hummus, protein-packed eggs, and sunflower seeds—plus our favorite source of fat, avocados, it has everything your body needs. While it technically serves two, you’ll have delicious leftovers for the next day’s lunch.
Hero Ingredient: I could eat hummus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And dessert.
Get the recipe for Hummus, Greens, & Avo Bowl.
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Yogurt, Herbs, and Everything Spice
Why we love it: This bake-and-sear method is Camille’s favorite, and dare I say genius, way to get really crispy roasted sweet potatoes. She likes to top her tubers with Greek yogurt, avocado, and herbs, adding a little heft with protein and healthy fats. I personally like to add crumbled goat cheese on top, too (because why not?). The easiest way to adapt this recipe for one? Dish up one flavor-filled sweet potato, not four.
Hero Ingredient: Everything spice makes everything better.
Get the recipe for Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Yogurt, Herbs, and Everything Spice.
Quick Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadilla from Nourish Nutrition
Why we love it: Described as the perfect way to use up any veggies in your fridge, this 10-minute quesadilla is a no-recipe recipe that will spice up any weeknight. Any kind of veggies and cheese will be delicious as long as you have a tortilla on hand. I like to whip up the simplest guacamole with just salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lime for dipping.
Hero Ingredient: A good tortilla is one of the simple pleasures in life.
Get the recipe for Quick Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadilla from Nourish Nutrition.
Quinoa Power Bowl
Why we love it: This power bowl is filling in all the right ways, but it won’t weigh you down. It comes together in no time and is kind of an “everything but the kitchen sink” meal, meaning you can use whatever you have on hand. When I’m making it for dinner, I always add shredded rotisserie chicken for that extra protein boost. But my number one tip? Don’t you dare think about skipping the salsa verde—it brings this whole meal together.
Hero Ingredient: Finishing off your bowl with a fried egg is the fastest way to make any dish a satisfying meal.
Get the recipe for Quinoa Power Bowl.
Bacon, Apple, & Sweet Potato Pizza With Crispy Sage
Why we love it: Personal-sized pizzas are one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it gives me something to look forward to all day. I typically buy a pre-made pizza crust because let’s face it, I rarely have enough energy on a Tuesday night to make and roll out dough. But here’s a little good news: this inventive topping combo pairs perfectly with any and every crust.
Hero Ingredient: You haven’t lived until you’ve tried crispy sage.
Get the recipe for Bacon, Apple, & Sweet Potato Pizza With Crispy Sage.
Shredded Thai Salad With Avocado from PureWow
Why we love it: Meet the prettiest vegetarian salad you’ll ever make. You know the phrase ‘eat the rainbow’? This is the dish they were talking about. It includes a veggie for every color and the perfect combo of healthy fats, protein, and carbs. Even if you aren’t vegetarian, I guarantee you’ll fall in love with the dressing—it’s one of my favorites to date.
Hero Ingredient: It bears repeating: dressing is always the best part of a salad, right?
Get the recipe for Shredded Thai Salad With Avocado.
Non-Vegetarian Weeknight Dinner Recipes for One
Baked Pesto Salmon With Broccolini
Why we love it: This might be one of the easiest and healthiest weeknight dinner recipes for one to ever exist. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a perfectly-cooked salmon filet topped with store-bought or homemade pesto plus a side of broccolini (arguably the best vegetable). This recipe has only five ingredients, including salt and pepper, and is so good you’ll find yourself making it more than once a week.
Hero Ingredient: Pass the pesto, please!
Get the recipe for Baked Pesto Salmon With Broccolini.
Zucchini Noodles With Shrimp For One from One Dish Kitchen
Why we love it: No matter how hard we try, zoodles will never be noodles. But when tossed in garlic and shrimp, they’re pretty darn good. This low-carb and gluten-free meal can be on the table in under 30 minutes and completely gone in less than 10. Make this recipe even easier by buying pre-spiralized zucchini noodles. And if you’re feeling like you need something a bit more filling, I recommend doing half zucchini noodles and half real spaghetti.
Hero Ingredient: I’m always craving juicy bites of shrimp.
Get the recipe for Zucchini Noodles With Shrimp For One.
Lemon Garlic Chicken For One from One Dish Kitchen
Why we love it: I’m always looking for great seasonings for a chicken breast, and this is a recipe I constantly return to. When I make this dish on weeknights, I like to whip up the simple marinade right when I get home and use those 20 minutes to shower and get out of my day clothes. After that, throw the chicken in the oven, serve a grain alongside, and dinner is served.
Hero Ingredient: You’ll want to bookmark this marinade.
Get the recipe for Lemon Garlic Chicken For One.
Pasta Carbonara For One from One Dish Kitchen
Why we love it: Perhaps more indulgent than your typical weeknight dinner, but I had to include it because carbonara is one of my all-time favorite meals. It’s a surprisingly simple recipe, but tastes and looks impressive—even if you’re only impressing yourself! I like to top my dish with crushed red pepper and mix a little spinach in at the end for a little extra fiber.
Hero Ingredient: The bacon bits are the best.
Get the recipe for Pasta Carbonara For One.
4-Ingredient, 4-Minute Chicken Taco Rice Bowls from The Seasoned Mom
Why we love it: Taco bowls are another one of my personal go-to weeknight dinner recipes for one. This recipe is super customizable, and in lieu of following a recipe, I often throw in all of my favorite taco ingredients. Sometimes I use shredded chicken, other times I’ll whip up ground turkey or go meatless with black beans. No matter what you put in these bowls, the melted cheese topping makes anything taste good. And don’t skimp on the guac!
Hero Ingredient: I’m in a constant battle between choosing salsa or guac. What’s your pick?
Get the recipe for 4-Ingredient, 4-Minute Chicken Taco Rice Bowls.
Bonus: Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie from Broma Bakery
Why we love it: What’s not to love about a chocolate chip cookie? Even on a weeknight when I’m flying solo, sometimes the sweet tooth craving sneaks up on me. But this cookie cures it every time. It’s the most authentic-tasting single-serve cookie recipe I’ve tried. And if you bake a decent amount, I bet you have all the ingredients on hand. Go ahead—treat yourself.
Hero Ingredient: Chocolate chips, duh.
Get the recipe for Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie.
