Easy Recipes for One Person

Cooking for one person should not feel boring, expensive or like a compromise. In fact, some of the best meals are the ones you make just for yourself. When you cook for one, you can choose exactly what you like, avoid food waste and make something delicious without spending too much money.

This page is for anyone looking for easy recipes for one person. Whether you live alone, study, work long hours, want to save money or simply need simple meals without leftovers for days, these recipes are made for real life.

Below you will find 13 easy recipes for one person. They are simple, affordable and full of flavour. The meals are not too heavy, not too complicated and not too expensive. The goal is good food for one person that feels a little special, even on a normal weekday.

At Easy Recipes Australia, we believe everyday cooking should be simple, tasty and realistic. If you want more easy recipes, budget-friendly meals and smart cooking tips, remember to subscribe to our free newsletter.

Why cooking for one can be brilliant

Many recipes are made for four people, but not everyone cooks for a family. Sometimes you just want one good meal, made quickly, without wasting ingredients.

Cooking for one can actually be easier because you only need small amounts. One chicken breast, one egg, one piece of salmon, one small portion of pasta, one wrap, one potato or a handful of vegetables can become a proper meal.

The trick is to keep a few flexible ingredients at home. Eggs, rice, pasta, wraps, potatoes, canned tuna, chicken, vegetables, yoghurt, cheese, oats and frozen vegetables can all help you make easy single-person meals.

You do not need expensive ingredients to make food feel gourmet. A little garlic, lemon, herbs, soy sauce, honey, chilli, parmesan, olive oil or yoghurt can make a simple meal taste much more special.

1. Lemon Garlic Chicken with Couscous

This is a fresh, light and satisfying dinner for one person. It feels a little special, but it is very easy to make.

Ingredients

1 small chicken breast or chicken thigh fillet
1/2 cup couscous
1/2 cup boiling water or chicken stock
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1/2 lemon
1/2 small cucumber, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons plain yoghurt
Salt and pepper
Optional: parsley, mint or chilli flakes

How to make it

Place the couscous in a small bowl. Pour over the boiling water or stock, cover and leave for 5 minutes.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, crushed garlic, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the chicken for around 5–7 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until golden and cooked through.

Fluff the couscous with a fork. Add cucumber, tomato and a little extra lemon juice.

Slice the chicken and serve it on top of the couscous.

Add yoghurt on the side and sprinkle with herbs or chilli flakes if you like.

2. Creamy Mushroom Pasta for One

This is a comforting pasta dish that tastes rich without being too heavy.

Ingredients

75–90 g pasta
1 teaspoon olive oil or butter
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 small garlic clove, crushed
2 tablespoons milk, cream or light cream cheese
1 tablespoon grated parmesan or tasty cheese
Salt and pepper
Optional: spinach, parsley or chilli flakes

How to make it

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the packet instructions.

While the pasta cooks, heat oil or butter in a pan. Add the mushrooms and cook until soft and golden.

Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Add milk, cream or cream cheese and stir gently.

Drain the pasta, keeping a small splash of pasta water.

Add the pasta to the mushroom sauce. Stir in parmesan and a little pasta water if needed.

Season with salt and pepper. Add spinach or parsley if you have it.

Serve warm.

3. Honey Soy Chicken Rice Bowl

This is quick, tasty and perfect when you want something better than takeaway.

Ingredients

1 chicken thigh fillet or small chicken breast
1 cup cooked rice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon water
1/2 carrot, grated or sliced
1/2 cucumber, sliced
Optional: sesame seeds, spring onion or chilli

How to make it

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Heat oil in a pan and cook the chicken until golden.

Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Add soy sauce, honey and water. Stir until the sauce becomes slightly sticky and coats the chicken.

Place cooked rice in a bowl.

Top with honey soy chicken, carrot and cucumber.

Add sesame seeds, spring onion or chilli if you like.

4. Tuna and Avocado Toast Plate

This is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. It is fresh, filling and cheap to make.

Ingredients

1 small can tuna, drained
1/2 avocado
1–2 slices bread
1 tablespoon plain yoghurt or light mayo
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper
1 small tomato or a few cucumber slices
Optional: chilli flakes or spring onion

How to make it

Toast the bread.

Mix tuna with yoghurt or mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Mash avocado lightly with a fork.

Spread avocado on the toast.

Add the tuna mixture on top.

Serve with tomato or cucumber on the side.

Add chilli flakes or spring onion if you want extra flavour.

5. Single-Serve Beef Mince Tacos

You do not need to make a huge batch of tacos. A small amount of mince is enough for one great meal.

Ingredients

120–150 g beef mince
1 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
1 tablespoon canned beans or corn, optional
1–2 small tortillas
Lettuce, tomato or cucumber
1 tablespoon grated cheese
1 tablespoon yoghurt or sour cream
Optional: salsa, avocado or chilli

How to make it

Heat oil in a small pan.

Add onion and cook for 1–2 minutes.

Add beef mince and cook until browned.

Add taco seasoning and a small splash of water. Stir until the mince is coated and cooked through.

Add beans or corn if using.

Warm the tortillas.

Fill the tortillas with lettuce, mince, tomato, cheese and yoghurt or sour cream.

Add salsa, avocado or chilli if you like.

6. One-Pan Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice is one of the cheapest and easiest meals for one person.

Ingredients

1 cup cooked rice
1 egg
1/2 cup frozen vegetables
1 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Optional: leftover chicken, ham, tofu or spring onion

How to make it

Heat oil in a frying pan.

Add garlic and frozen vegetables. Cook for 2–3 minutes.

Push the vegetables to one side of the pan.

Crack the egg into the pan and scramble it.

Add the cooked rice and soy sauce.

Stir everything together until hot.

Add leftover chicken, ham, tofu or spring onion if you have it.

Serve immediately.

7. Gourmet Baked Potato with Tuna, Corn and Yoghurt

A baked potato can feel simple, but with the right topping it becomes a full meal.

Ingredients

1 large potato
1 small can tuna, drained
2 tablespoons corn
2 tablespoons plain yoghurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon grated cheese, optional
Spring onion or parsley, optional

How to make it

Prick the potato with a fork.

Microwave for 6–8 minutes until soft, or bake in the oven until tender.

For a crispier skin, place it in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes after microwaving.

Mix tuna, corn, yoghurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.

Cut the potato open and fluff the inside with a fork.

Add the tuna filling on top.

Sprinkle with cheese, spring onion or parsley if you like.

8. Pesto Chicken Wrap

This is a quick meal that tastes like something from a café.

Ingredients

1 small chicken breast or leftover cooked chicken
1 wrap
1 teaspoon pesto
1 tablespoon yoghurt or light mayo
Lettuce or spinach
Tomato or cucumber slices
Salt and pepper
Optional: grated cheese

How to make it

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Cook in a pan until golden and cooked through, then slice it.

Spread pesto and yoghurt or mayo on the wrap.

Add lettuce, tomato or cucumber.

Add the sliced chicken.

Sprinkle with cheese if using.

Roll the wrap tightly.

Toast in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes on each side if you want it warm and crisp.

9. Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Omelette

An omelette is one of the best meals for one person because it is fast, cheap and easy to change.

Ingredients

2 eggs
1 small tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon mozzarella or grated cheese
1 teaspoon oil or butter
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil or dried herbs
Optional: spinach or mushrooms

How to make it

Beat the eggs with salt and pepper.

Heat oil or butter in a small pan.

Add tomato and cook for 1 minute.

Pour in the eggs.

Cook gently until the eggs start to set.

Add mozzarella and basil.

Fold the omelette in half.

Cook for another minute, then serve with toast or salad.

10. Simple Salmon Rice Bowl

This is a slightly more special meal, but still easy and cheaper than eating out.

Ingredients

1 small salmon fillet
1 cup cooked rice
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 carrot, grated
Salt and pepper
Optional: yoghurt dressing, sesame seeds or spring onion

How to make it

Season the salmon with salt, pepper and lemon juice.

Cook in a pan or air fryer until cooked through.

Place cooked rice in a bowl.

Add cucumber and carrot.

Place the salmon on top.

Drizzle with soy sauce.

Add yoghurt dressing, sesame seeds or spring onion if you like.

If salmon is too expensive, use canned salmon or tuna instead.

11. Chickpea and Spinach Curry for One

This is a great vegetarian meal that is cheap, filling and full of flavour.

Ingredients

1/2 can chickpeas, drained
1/2 cup canned tomatoes
1 handful spinach
1/4 onion, chopped
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 tablespoons coconut milk or plain yoghurt, optional
1 teaspoon oil
Salt and pepper
Rice, toast or flatbread to serve

How to make it

Heat oil in a small pan.

Add onion and cook until soft.

Add garlic and curry powder. Cook for 30 seconds.

Add chickpeas and canned tomatoes.

Simmer for 5–8 minutes.

Stir in spinach until wilted.

Add coconut milk or yoghurt if you want it creamier.

Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with rice, toast or flatbread.

12. Mini Apple Crumble for One

This is a simple dessert for one person when you want something sweet without baking a whole cake.

Ingredients

1 apple
1 teaspoon sugar or honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons oats
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon chopped nuts, optional
Yoghurt, custard or ice cream to serve, optional

How to make it

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Chop the apple into small pieces and place in a small oven-safe dish.

Add sugar or honey and cinnamon. Mix well.

In a small bowl, mix oats, flour and butter with your fingers until crumbly.

Add chopped nuts if using.

Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the apple.

Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden and soft.

Serve with yoghurt, custard or a small scoop of ice cream.

13. One-Mug Chocolate Cake

Sometimes you just want cake, but you do not want a whole cake sitting in the kitchen.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons plain flour
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon oil
A few chocolate chips, optional
A small pinch of salt

How to make it

Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder and salt to a large mug.

Stir well.

Add milk and oil.

Mix until smooth.

Add chocolate chips if using.

Microwave for 60–90 seconds, depending on your microwave.

Let it cool for one minute before eating.

Do not overcook it, or it may become dry.

Smart tips for cooking for one person

Cooking for one is easier when you plan around ingredients that can be used in different meals.

For example, one bag of rice can be used for fried rice, chicken bowls, curry and salmon bowls. A pack of wraps can become tacos, chicken wraps, breakfast wraps or mini pizzas. Eggs can become omelettes, fried rice, toast toppings or quick dinners.

Buy small portions when possible, or freeze food in single serves. Chicken, mince, bread and cooked rice can all be frozen in portions.

Frozen vegetables are also very useful. They last longer and can be added to rice, pasta, omelettes, soups and curries.

Another good idea is to cook a little extra of one part of the meal. For example, cook extra rice and use it for fried rice the next day. Roast an extra potato and use it for lunch. Cook extra chicken and use it in a wrap.

How to make one-person meals feel more special

Small details can make simple food feel much better.

Add lemon juice to chicken or fish.
Add fresh herbs or spring onion if you have them.
Use yoghurt as a light sauce.
Add toasted bread, seeds or nuts for crunch.
Use a nice bowl or plate.
Add a small side salad.
Finish pasta with black pepper or parmesan.
Add chilli flakes if you like heat.

You do not need expensive ingredients. Often, one small flavour boost is enough.

Budget-friendly ingredients for one person

If you want to save money, keep these ingredients at home:

Eggs
Rice
Pasta
Potatoes
Wraps
Canned tuna
Canned chickpeas
Canned tomatoes
Frozen vegetables
Oats
Yoghurt
Chicken portions
Small packs of mince
Cheese
Soy sauce
Garlic
Lemon
Basic herbs and spices

With these ingredients, you can make many easy recipes for one person without needing to shop every day.

Final thoughts

Easy recipes for one person should be simple, affordable and enjoyable. Cooking for yourself does not mean eating boring food. It means making meals that suit your taste, your budget and your day.

Whether you want a quick chicken bowl, creamy mushroom pasta, tacos, fried rice, a baked potato, curry or a small dessert, there are plenty of ways to cook good food for one.

At Easy Recipes Australia, we believe cooking should feel easy and useful in real life. That is why we share practical recipes, smart meal ideas and budget-friendly inspiration for everyday people.

Remember to subscribe to our free newsletter for more easy recipes, simple dinners and helpful cooking tips.

Good food for one person can still feel special. You just need the right ideas.