The Best Meals to Cook for One
When you’re in charge of picking out what to eat, it can be easy to take the path of least resistance – that is, order fast food or go for that oh-so-convenient frozen microwave meal. Resist the temptation! When you’re eating alone, what you choose to eat is completely up to you, but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. These meals, however, aren’t all that difficult to craft, and they’re perfect for when you’re cooking for one.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
OK, you don’t need to be a culinary genius to figure out how to put a grilled cheese sandwich together. While there’s really not much to this nostalgic treat, it does make for a quick and easy single-serving meal, especially if you’re willing to get a little experimental with it. Although you’ll probably want to stick to the traditional white or wheat bread, make your sandwich a “grown-up grilled cheese” by using a more complex cheese and some extra fixings like bacon and tomato.
Chicken Parmesan
Chicken all on its own can be healthy and tasty, but it’s a little… boring. Change things up and boost your cooking cred by adding in some cheese and tomato sauce, effectively turning your dish into chicken parmesan. The usual recipe for chicken parm calls for a breaded and fried chicken breast, but for a healthier option, you can probably get away with a baked chicken filet instead. Adding a slice of ham to adorn your chicken breast before you add the tomato and cheese will add that little kick that puts this meal over the edge.
Lettuce Wraps
Appropriate for either a healthy meal or a light snack, lettuce wraps are a nice, less carb-y version of your typical tortilla wrap or sandwich. Typical lettuce wraps include rice, meat, and veggies, but perhaps the best thing about this meal is its versatility. Got some leftover chicken sitting in the fridge? Throw them in a wrap. Vegetarian? Substitute your meat for tofu. Needs a little more kick? Add some spicy sauce or peppers.
Stir Fry
Much like lettuce wraps, the beauty of a good stir fry lies in its versatility. Whether you prefer rice over noodles, chicken over tofu, or onions over green peppers, you can tweak your stir fry recipe completely to your liking. The best part, though? This meals’ got legs. If you make a big batch, you can store the rest in the refrigerator for later, making a few nights out of your week that much easier. If you’re going to be reheating your stir fry, though, a word of advice: do it on the stove instead of in the microwave. It’ll taste fresher that way.
Pizza Bagels
Who doesn’t like pizza? Chances are, however, that you can’t manage a whole pie by yourself (though if you can, props to you!). If you want all the glory of a pizza night without the subpar, reheated leftovers it leaves behind, consider this compromise. Pizza bagels are a cinch to make, requiring a tiny amount of prep work and just a little time in the oven. Plus, unlike ordering from your local pizza joint, you can choose how many servings you have.