28 Single-Serving Meals Perfect for Dining Solo

Cooking for one means you get to make exactly what you want, exactly how you want it. These perfectly portioned recipes include everything from speedy wraps and hearty salads to elegant pastas and restaurant-worthy fish. All of these can be scaled up as needed, too — making them perfect picks even when you're serving two or want to get ahead by making one meal for now and one meal for later in the week.

A complete roast chicken dinner doesn’t require cooking a whole bird. This one-serving recipe uses a wing-attached chicken breast with the skin on for maximum flavor. Brown it in an ovenproof skillet, then roast it alongside mushrooms, shallots and rosemary.

This crispy wrap packs several Italian-inspired favorites into one neatly folded tortilla. Pesto, Parmesan, spinach, pepperoncini, olives, marinara, meatballs and mozzarella each get into their own quadrant before the tortilla is folded into a triangle and toasted in butter. It’s a scrumptious meal that’s ready in a snap.

The microwave handles nearly all of the cooking for this satisfying mushroom toast. Wild mushrooms seasoned with thyme, shallot, chile and sherry vinegar are piled onto sourdough spread with creamy goat cheese and plenty of fresh herbs. For extra protein, pair it with a fried egg.

Whipping the egg whites before folding them into the yolks gives this omelette its impressive height and cloudlike texture. Cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan make it rich enough for dinner, especially when paired with a simple green salad.

This colorful salad covers all the bases with chickpeas, avocado, quinoa, arugula and feta. The avocado and chickpeas are mashed into a flavorful paste spiked with lemon and red onion. Add a touch of balsamic vinegar drizzled on at the end to let each flavor come alive.

Sweet apricot preserves bring out the savory side of grilled chicken, provolone, sage and red onion in this crisp sourdough panini. Place it on slices of sourdough bread and cook on a hot panini maker or indoor grill. The recipe is designed around a freezer stash of individually portioned grilled chicken, though the recipe is included if you need something more immediately.

A dozen littleneck clams turn four ounces of linguine into a restaurant-worthy dinner. Garlic, white wine, chile flakes, butter and parsley swirl together in a pan to create the flavorful sauce. This recipe makes just enough for one diner but it can easily be scaled up if needed.

Breakfast bowls are just as welcome at the dinner table, particularly when they’re loaded with quinoa, black beans and avocado. This power-packed dish is full of varying textures and topped with a tangy lime yogurt sauce. Radishes and pepitas add a satisfying crunch.

If you’re craving a restaurant-worthy meal for one, this recipe may fit the bill. Chicken cooks to a beautifully brown crispness on the grill, weighed down by a brick to help develop the color. A variety of spices add bold flavor, and the drippings become the base of a quick white wine pan sauce.

When you’re cooking for yourself, you get complete control over the pizza toppings. This gluten-free crust is made by combining mozzarella, Parmesan and eggs. Bake it until beginning to crisp, then add toppings and continue cooking until everything is golden and brown.

Three crisp tostada shells layered with mashed black beans and melted cheddar make a substantial base for a fried egg. Finish the stack with avocado, salsa, sour cream and cilantro. A side of bacon or sausage adds protein, but you can leave it off to keep the dish meat-free.

Leftover chicken and cooked quinoa are the beginnings of a filling dinner that takes just 10 minutes. Warm them in the microwave with salsa, black beans, red onion, cumin and chile powder. Cover the bowl with your choice of toppings, from diced avocado to shredded cheese to a hint of fresh lime.

A ripe red tomato becomes the centerpiece of this summery sandwich. The thick slices get a crisp cornmeal coating before they’re tucked between white bread and mayonnaise. A handful of basil leaves and plenty of salt and pepper ensures each bite is bursting with flavor.

A hot grill turns prepared pizza dough into a crisp, lightly smoky base in minutes. Ricotta and mozzarella melt over the crust before it’s finished with salty prosciutto, fresh arugula and a drizzle of olive oil. For an extra kick, drizzle a bit of aged balsamic vinegar as well.

Turn a childhood favorite into a thoroughly dinner-worthy treat. This peanut butter and strawberry compote sandwich is dipped in a cinnamon-nutmeg custard, coated in crushed cereal and cooked until crisp and golden. It skews on the sweet side, but paired with bacon or sausage, it makes a satisfying breakfast-for-dinner.

Assemble this shortcut soup ahead of time, then add boiling water when you’re ready to eat. Chicken, hominy, pinto beans, cabbage and salsa verde create a fast, pozole-inspired meal. To keep it traditional, finish it with cilantro, radishes and crushed tortilla chips.

Those string cheese sticks in your refrigerator can come in handy any time you need a bit of mozzarella for a fast meal. In this recipe, shred one in a food processor and combine it with pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni and a handful of chopped spinach leaves. Microwave the combo in a tortilla to make a zesty wrap that’s ready in minutes.

This recipe could come in handy when you need a quick bite. In a large bowl or soup mug, cook elbow macaroni until just tender. Fold in cream and cheese until a velvety sauce forms and enjoy immediately.

An open-faced sandwich feel substantial without requiring much assembly. This tartine starts with toasted sourdough topped with sharp whole-grain mustard, mayonnaise and slices of pastrami. A few leaves of peppery arugula and cherry tomatoes offset the savory flavors with freshness and acidity.

It’s possible to make a decadent meal for one at home. A seared filet of salmon is served with cannellini beans and wilted spinach. Top it all with a buttery lemon-caper sauce you’ll want to drink with a straw.

Prepared dough makes it possible to have a fresh grilled pizza ready in only 15 minutes. Sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, scallions and torn basil keep the toppings simple and summery. No grill? Cook it on an upside-down baking sheet in an oven preheated to 450°F.

The microwave is often overlooked as a tool for providing a quick dinner. Combine mirepoix and olive oil in a mug and cook until tender. Add cooked chicken, quinoa and warm spices and return to the microwave to complete this easy but filling dish. A sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro adds a simple, fresh note.

Despite the name, this build-your-own taco bowl makes an equally practical dinner. Seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese and crushed tortilla chips are portioned separately, so every component stays fresh and crisp until you’re ready to eat. If you fancy a bit of dressing, try a squeeze of lime or use your favorite cilantro vinaigrette.

This generously filled quesadilla includes grilled chicken, sautéed onion, bell pepper and plenty of cheese. A quick homemade salsa and a spoonful of sour cream make it feel like a complete restaurant-style dinner for one. If you’re short on time, swap in some shredded rotisserie chicken.

A quick soy, sherry, garlic, and brown sugar marinade gives steak plenty of flavor in only a few minutes. Slice it over mixed greens and tomatoes, then dress the salad with a punchy combination of fresh ginger, lime, jalapeño and soy sauce. Add a side of noodles or rice, if you need to flesh it out a bit.

This clever sandwich combines two diner classics in one skillet. An egg cooks directly inside one slice of bread before it’s joined by Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese, honey mustard and another slice of bread. Griddle it until the bread is golden brown and cheese melted.

This lighter take on shrimp scampi swaps the usual pasta for browned roasted cauliflower. Six jumbo shrimp are tossed in a buttery sauce flavored with garlic, chile flakes, capers and lemon. Go for this if you’re looking to cut back on carbs without skimping on flavor.