Dining Alone?

(Image courtesy of Robert S. Donovan)

Living on your own can have some very distinct advantages. Some people like the luxury of moving around their apartment without the worry of stepping on someone else’s toes There’s also quite a bit that can be said about the freedom to design your home all on your own. And who can forget the freedom to come and go as you please? However, at mealtimes, living alone can becoming a bit daunting, especially if you’re not planning on entertaining friends every night.

The recipe choices for those living the solo lifestyle are somewhat limited and often times it can be difficult to make it through a family-sized container of leftovers. This doesn’t mean that living by yourself means you can’t cook for yourself! This article from Apartmentguide.com offers some simple and cost effective tips for creating great meals that are the perfect size for one person. Read on to learn some great ideas to keep cooking for yourself from becoming a chore.

Buy easily-scalable amounts

Shopping in bulk bins lets you control how much food you bring home. From beans and grains to sugar, you can buy just enough and then prepare only as much as you need.

Eggs, individually-wrapped cheeses, microwaveable bacon, canned items and single-serve condiments like jalapenos can be used in a single meal — without leftovers, if you prefer.

Just don’t get too carried away with packaged single-serve items, however, as they often cost more for the convenience. When possible, buy items in their whole state, only look for the smallest sizes. When it comes to produce and fruit, buy separate pieces, rather than bags, which may spoil before you get around to eating the whole amount.

Love your freezer

The option to freeze certain foods means you can buy a whole pack of sausages or hot dogs, for instance, and use only some of the item at a time without worrying about spoiling. Simply break packages into single servings before freezing.

Items that work well for freezing include:

Bread, buns and bagels
Shredded cheese
Hamburger or salmon patties
Individually-wrapped steaks
Fish or chicken fillets
Breakfast meats
Vegetarian “faux meat” options


One of the greatest benefits of all is to be able to make larger-than-you-need batches of food to freeze in separate servings. There is no waste, and you’ve got ready meals available when you have no time or desire to cook.

Use common ingredients to your advantage

Cooking for one is easier and more economical when you can use ingredients you have on hand. Buying exotic or expensive foods for a single meal typically isn’t cost-effective, so look for recipes that contain basic ingredients you regularly keep in stock, like:

Canned or frozen meats or fish
Pasta
Grains
Potatoes
Eggs
Cheese
Fresh or frozen vegetables
Sauces

Similarly, you can repurpose the foods you prepare one night for other meals. A roast chicken or pot roast can create soup, fajitas and chicken salad. What you can’t finish in a few days can be stored in the freezer for even more mileage.

Oh, Solo Menu!

Now, let’s get to the menu(s). The challenge for the solo chef is to find dishes that will be worth taking the time to prepare. Ideally, quick, easy and delicious are the key experiences you’re looking for. Salads and sandwiches are typical go-to’s that can inspire infinite combinations. When shopping for your favorite proteins, select options that will make just the right amount, depending on your liking for leftovers.

Check out sites like these for easy, solo-cooking recipes you’ll crave:

Delish.com, 14 Simple Dinners for One

FoodNetwork.com, Single Person Cooking

BBCGoodFood.com, Meals-for-one Recipes

MarieClaire.com, Cooking for One

SingleFare.comCooking for one doesn’t have to be a chore or an exercise in waste. Instead, embrace the freedom to eat what you want, when you want and only as much as you need.