Living with a roommate comes with a ton of perks (you live together! Equal division of work!), but what I have to get used to is the difference in our schedules and eating habits. We might be sitting at the dinner table at the same time, but we have different food allergies, cravings, and schedules that often mean I have to cook for one. But as someone who loves to cook, finding recipes for a weeknight dinner for one person can be a challenge.
Batch cooking can be great at times, but often I get bored of eating leftovers and end up wanting something completely different the next day. And didn’t even help me start grocery shopping for one! I have yet to find the seemingly non-existent balance between buying too little… and buying too much. Two avocados? For those who love this avocado toast, it’s definitely not enough. But Father? There was no way for me to arrive in time. One bag of lettuce will run out in two days, but the second will sit in the fridge until empty. So is my situation.
Whether you live alone or not, we all fly alone to dinner every now and then. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet for weeknight dinner recipes for an easy and satisfying one. We want one-time serving dishes that don’t require more than an hour of your time and use basic ingredients you probably already have. If you ask me, we certainly succeeded. So the next time you go out to eat on your own, I encourage you to clear the table, light the candles, and treat yourself to one of these easy delicious dinner recipes for the whole week. Cooking for one person has never been more enjoyable.
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Keep scrolling to find 13 easy, delicious, and soul-satisfying weeknight dinner recipes.
Vegetarian
Hummus, Greens and 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 fat source, avocado, it has everything your body needs. Although it technically serves two, you’ll have delicious leftovers for lunch the next day.
Hero composition: I can eat hummus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And desserts.
Get the recipe for the Hummus, Greens and Avo Bowl.
Crispy Baked Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt, Herbs and Everything Spices
Why we love it: This grill and find method is Camille’s favorite, and dare I say genius, how to get crispy baked sweet potatoes. She loves topping her tubers with Greek yogurt, avocado, and herbs, adding a little protein and healthy fats. Personally, I also like to add shredded goat cheese on top (because why not?). Easiest way to adapt this formula for one? Plate one sweet potato full of flavor, not four.
Hero composition: Everything spiced up makes things better.
Get the recipe for Crispy Baked Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt, Herbs, and Everything Spices.
Quick Black Beans and Vegetable Quesadilla from Nourishing 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-frills recipe that will spice up any night of the week. . Any vegetable and cheese will taste good as long as you have a tortilla on hand. I like to whip up the simplest guacamole with just salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon for dipping.
Hero composition: Delicious tortillas are one of life’s simple pleasures.
Get this quick Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadilla recipe from Nourishing Nutrition.
Quinoa Power Bowl
Why we love it: This electric bowl is filled in all the right ways, but it won’t disappoint. It comes together quickly and is like an “everything but kitchen sink” meal, meaning you can use whatever you have on hand. When I make this for dinner, I always add shredded chicken for an extra protein boost. But my number one tip? You wouldn’t dare think about skipping the salsa verde – it brings the whole meal together.
Hero composition: Completing your bowl with a fried egg is the fastest way to turn any dish into a satisfying meal.
Get the recipe for the Quinoa Power Bowl.
Pizza with bacon, apple & deep-fried sweet potato
Why we love it: Personalized pizza is one of my favorite dinners of the week because it gives me something to look forward to all day. I usually buy pre-made pizza crust because let’s face it, I rarely have the energy on a Tuesday night to make and roll the dough. But here’s the good news: this innovative topping combo pairs perfectly with any and any crust.
Hero composition: You’re not alive until you try crispy sage.
Get the recipe for Bacon, Apple and Sweet Potato Pizza With Crispy Sage.
Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado from PureWow
Why we love it: Meet the most beautiful vegetarian salad you’ll ever make. You know the phrase ‘eat the rainbow’? This is the dish they are talking about. It includes a vegetable of every color and the perfect combination of healthy fats, proteins and carbs. Even if you’re not vegan, I guarantee you’ll love this look — it’s one of my favorites to date.
Hero composition: It repeats itself: sauces are always the best part of a salad, right?
Get the recipe for Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado.
Non-vegetarian weekday dinner recipes for one person
Grilled Salmon Pesto With Broccolini
Why we love it: This is possibly one of the easiest and healthiest weekday dinner recipes to ever exist. In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a perfectly cooked salmon loin topped with store-bought or homemade pesto along with a side of broccolini (arguably the best veggie). This recipe has only five ingredients, including salt and pepper, and so good you’ll find yourself making more than once a week.
Hero composition: Please pass the pesto!
Get the recipe for Pesto Grilled Salmon With Broccolini.
Zucchini Shrimp Noodles For One Person From The Kitchen One Dish
Why we love it: No matter how hard we try, zoodles will never be noodles. But when I put the garlic and shrimp in, they were quite delicious. This low-carb and gluten-free meal can be on the table in less than 30 minutes and completely gone in less than 10. Make this recipe even easier by purchasing pre-cooked zucchini noodles. ready milled. And if you feel like you need something a little more, I recommend making half zucchini noodles and half real spaghetti.
Hero composition: I always crave for juicy shrimp pieces.
Get the recipe for Zucchini Noodles With Shrimp For One.
Lemon Garlic Chicken For One Person From One Kitchen
Why we love it: I’m always on the lookout for great seasonings for chicken breasts and this is a recipe that I keep coming back to. When I make this on weeknights, I like to prepare a simple dressing as soon as I get home and use those 20 minutes to shower and dress for the day. Then, throw the chicken in the oven, serve the cereal along with it, and dinner is served.
Hero composition: You’ll want to mark 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 appealing than your typical weekend dinner, but I have to include it because the carbonara is one of my all-time favorite meals. It’s a surprisingly simple recipe, but tastes and looks amazing — even if you’re just impressing yourself! I love topping my dishes with crushed red pepper and tossing some spinach at the end for a little extra fiber.
Hero composition: The bacon bits are the best.
Get the recipe for Pasta Carbonara For One.
Chicken Taco Rice Bowl 4 Ingredients 4 Minute Mom’s Spices
Why we love it: Taco bowls are one of my personal weekend dinner recipes. This recipe is super quick to customize, and instead of following a recipe, I usually put in all of my favorite taco ingredients. Sometimes I use shredded chicken, other times I’ll whip ground or meatless turkey with black beans. No matter what you put in these bowls, the melted cheese coating will make anything taste good. And don’t skimp on guac!
Hero composition: I am having a constant struggle between choosing salsa or guac. What are your options?
Get the recipe for the 4-Ingredient, 4 Minute Chicken Taco Rice Bowl.
Reward: Single-serve Chocolate Cookies 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 alone, sometimes a craving for sweets creeps in. But this cookie cures it every time. It’s the most authentic one-tasting cookie recipe I’ve tried. And if you bake a decent amount, I bet you already have all the ingredients on hand. Go ahead — treat yourself.
Hero composition: Chocolate chips, duh.
Get the recipe for a one-time serving of chocolate chip cookies.
