Cooking for one is a smart, satisfying way to cook exactly what you want in portions that fit your life. Use this page as your starting point to learn how to stock your kitchen, scale recipes, and find easy single-serving and small batch recipes on A Weekend Cook®.

Why Cooking for One Matters

  • You control portions, ingredients, and flavor.
  • You spend less on food you don’t use.
  • You can enjoy real meals without relying on takeout.

If you’re a new cook, empty nester, solo diner, or downsizing your household, this is for you.

Explore the topics below for more information:

Essential Tools for Cooking for One

The right-sized tools help food cook evenly and prevent waste. I’ve included a few recommended items below.

  • 2–3 quart saucepan or Dutch oven
  • 8–10 inch skillet (nonstick or cast iron). My go to- is the 8and 10 inch set from Scan Pan, and 7 inch cast iron from Lodge Blacklock
  • Quarter sheet pan and Eighths sheet pan are indispensable.
  • 6-inch cake pan, mini loaf pan, 6-inch pie dish, and ramekins
  • 1.5–3 quart slow cooker I have several however in my opinion the elite Gourmet Oval 2-quart covers all the bases.
  • 1–2 cup glass or plastic storage containers
  • Digital scale and measuring spoons

Here are few more articles you may find helpful when setting up or reorganizing your kitchen for one.

Go-To Building Block Recipes for One

These recipes are simple, reliable, and easy to customize. Use them as your everyday staples.

Breakfast

DINNER

DESSERT

SLOW COOKER

Pantry and Freezer Staples for One

A well-planned pantry gives you fast options and fewer grocery trips.

I’ve listed some examples of what to keep on hand, of course this will change based on your personal preferences.

  • Canned tuna, chicken, beans, tomatoes
  • Pasta, rice, and beans in smaller quantities
  • Broth or bouillon
  • Frozen vegetables and fruit
  • Eggs, cheese, yogurt
  • Olive oil, neutral oil, vinegars, soy sauce, Worcestershire, mustard
  • Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, dried herbs

Smart Grocery Shopping for One

Buy what you’ll actually use and plan simple, flexible meals.

  • Ask the meat counter for one chicken breast, one chop, or ¼–½ pound portions.
  • Choose long-lasting produce like carrots, onions, potatoes, cabbage, apples, and citrus.
  • Freeze meat and bread in single portions; label with contents and date.
  • Plan around 3–4 anchor meals and reuse ingredients instead of planning every meal from scratch.

How to Scale Recipes for One

You can still use most of your favorite “serves 4” recipes and scale them down. Keep in mind when making recipes like cakes, pies, breads, its best to use a recipe that’s already scaled because its not always as easy as cutting a recipe in half or quarter. I’ve listed some basic guidelines below:

  • Halve recipes to serve 2; save one serving for lunch or another dinner.
  • Quarter recipes to get close to a single serving.
  • Use smaller pans so food bakes and browns properly.
  • Egg conversions:
    • 1 large egg ≈ 3–4 tablespoons
    • Half an egg ≈ 1½–2 tablespoons (beat an egg, measure what you need)
  • Start with slightly less salt and seasoning; taste and adjust.

Leftovers, Storage, and Food Safety for One

Think of leftovers as planned ingredients, not random extras.

  • Cool and refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers.
  • Most cooked meats, grains, soups, and casseroles keep 3–4 days in the fridge.
  • Freeze single portions in 1–2 cup containers for fast future meals.
  • Label everything with name and date.
  • Guide to Batch Cooking for One
  • How to Freeze Pancakes

Dinners for One: Easy, Comforting Meals

More reader favorites:

Small Slow Cooker Recipes for One

Hands-off meals that are actually scaled for small slow cookers. These slow cooker recipes have been tested and scaled down for one hearty appetite. Browse all the slow cooker recipes or check out these reader favorites below and a few small slow cooker tips for you.

Mini Casseroles and Oven Classics

When you want baked comfort food in a smaller dish check my collection of mini casseroles and definitely try these reader favorites.

Potato and Sausage Bake for One

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My favorite easy and delicious potato and sausage bake or casserole is pure comfort food perfection. Mix it up with an apple chicken sausage, turkey sausage, spicy Italian, smoked sausage,…

Mini Chicken Divan Casserole for One

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My Mini Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe has succulent chicken smothered in a cream of chicken soup mixed with frozen broccoli. This is a quick dinner for one that’s great served…

Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole for One

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No canned soup in this old-fashioned tuna casserole for one is straight from my vintage recipe box! A classic tuna noodle casserole made with a rich, creamy sauce and a…

Small Batch Easy Cheesy Potatoes

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One of the most comforting side dishes and great any time of the year. These easy small batch cheesy potatoes are made from scratch for that old-fashioned comfort food flavor….

Green Bean and Chicken Casserole Recipe

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Green Bean casseroles and Thanksgiving go hand in hand, but add some chicken chunks, and you have an everyday meal.  It is also great made with fresh or frozen string…

Small Batch Baking and Desserts

Enjoy just enough dessert—no huge pans required.

Stay Connected

Stay inspired with new cooking for one recipes, small slow cooker ideas, and small batch desserts. I send 1-2 emails per weeks, I don’t want to overwhelm you, you can always bookmark the site and jump on over for a little feast for your eyes!

Sign up for the A Weekend Cook® email list for:

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