19 Dinner Ideas For One

When you’re cooking for one, it can be tempting to throw just anything together. You’re not looking to show off your skill or impress anyone with a perfectly balanced and plated dish. But the truth is that when you start looking for dinner ideas for one, you just may become inspired. 

Check out these recipes for singles and cook yourself a meal to remember tonight.

Baked Gnocchi 

Two things that go together perfectly are pasta and cheese. And when you combine them in a pan and bake them, it is absolute perfection. You can add tomato sauce or basil pesto to this dish to spice it up, or just keep it simple with this spinach and cheese sauce to make your senses sing. 

Ramen 

Forget the neat little ramen packages you find in a store. If you want to delight your taste buds after a long day’s work, why not make homemade ramen? Create a broth from vegetables or meat and then add noodles to it. Top it off with chopped chives or sliced garlic and enjoy! 

Chicken Caesar Salad 

Not all salads are worthy, but if you’re looking for easy meals for one, a chicken Caesar salad is an excellent choice. And because it contains protein, it makes for a delicious meal that will keep you satisfied. 

Nachos 

Sometimes you want a quick and easy meal but want something that will keep you full all night. Enter nachos. They’re so easy to make — just put some nacho chips on a plate and cover them with beans, meat, jalapenos, onions, lettuce, tomatoes or anything else you crave. 

Stuffed Bell Peppers 

If you want to make a meal for one ahead of time, stuffed bell peppers are an excellent choice. Make the filling by combining meat, vegetables and some sort of sauce – tomato is a great choice — and stuff the bell peppers. You can do all of this ahead of time, and when you’re ready to eat them, put them in the oven and let all the flavors mingle inside the pepper.   

Cauliflower Enchiladas 

Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that absorb the flavors of the ingredients around it. That makes it the perfect vegetable for enchiladas. The cauliflower is mixed with cumin and chili for that delicious Mexican kick, and air crisped to perfection. Then it’s combined with tomatoes, filled into soft flour tortillas and broiled with enchilada sauce and cheese. So easy! 

Mushroom Risotto 

If you have time and patience, mushroom risotto is a great meal for one. Most chefs cook risotto in stages to ensure it absorbs the flavors. Remember, slow and steady is the key to a perfect risotto. 

Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry 

When you want a hot meal with lots of flavors, but don’t have a lot of time to spend cooking, stir fry is a meal for one that fits the bill. Your prep time will take the longest as you chop the vegetables and prepare the chicken, but once you add it to the pan, along with some noodles or steamed rice, your dinner for one will be ready in minutes. 

Grain Bowl 

Are you looking for a vegetable-based meal for one? Try making a grain bowl filled with nutritious vegetables. You can add zucchini, cabbage, potatoes, chickpeas and bell peppers for a flavorful bowl. And if you want to add some protein to the mix, throw in your favorite type of meat or shrimp. 

One Pan Creamy Garlic Pasta 

Pasta is a great and easy meal when you’re dining alone. This one pan recipe comes together in no time, and it is so worth the effort of cooking at home. Treat yourself to a glass of wine while you’re dining on this treat! 

Poke Bowl 

Love seafood and looking for a fish-inspired dinner for one? A poke bowl is quick and easy to make and will satisfy that craving. You can start with standard rice or use cauliflower rice if you are looking to lower your carbs. Then add slices of fish such as ahi tuna or salmon. 

Chili 

Another great make-ahead meal for one is chili. You can cook a large pot of meat or vegetable-based chili and save the remainder for days when you don’t feel like cooking. And if you want to make your chili even yummier, put it in an oven-safe dish, add some biscuit dough on top, and bake it for about 20 minutes. 

Chicken Piccata 

In the mood for a restaurant-worthy meal that you can make at home? Why not make Chicken Piccata and enjoy life as you eat this delicious meal? You can serve it with pasta, steamed asparagus and a delicious fruit-based dessert like a warm fig cake. 

Chickpea Kale Salad 

If you want a meal that is healthy and filling, try making a chickpea kale salad. Kale is a superfood, and chickpeas are one of the most protein-rich beans. Combine them to make a delicious salad that would satisfy even the most discerning health enthusiast. 

Tofu Stir Fry 

If you love stir fries but don’t enjoy the shrimp or other meats that usually go in them, try substituting tofu. It will provide you with the texture you want without the meat. And when you add a stir fry sauce to the dish, the tofu will absorb all the flavor. 

Baked Macaroni and Cheese 

If you’re in the mood for the cheesy goodness of baked mac and cheese but don’t have time to make it, you can use the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro to drastically reduce the cooking time. 

Brinner Frittata 

If you want brinner for one, a frittata is a great choice. Once you combine all of the ingredients in a pan and put it in the oven, you will have plenty of time to catch up on your favorite TV show or unwind from the day. And the great thing about a frittata is that you can create one that appeals to your senses. 

Butternut Squash Soup 

If you’re cooking on a cold, rainy day, there is nothing better than soup. And the king of cozy soups is butternut squash soup. Just add some apple, shallot, and spices to make this an autumnal bliss. Don’t forget to serve with bread to soak up all that goodness. 

Sausage and Pepper Calzones 

Love a hearty Italian meal? Sausage and pepper calzones take a little work, but they are so worth the effort. If you make this stupendous dish, don’t forget to cook an equally Italian dessert to make your dining experience perfect. 

Dinner for One Can Be Exquisite 

Just because you’re the only one at the table doesn’t mean you have to skimp on dinner or make something just because it’s easy. Treat yourself and cook a dinner that you would be proud to serve to anyone.