If you’ve ever eaten alone, you know that there are pros and cons to a solitary meal. On the one hand, it’s nice to avoid small talk at the end of the day. You can also binge-watch your favorite show while eating with zero interruptions. You’re free to chew with your mouth open, use whatever fork you want and eat anything your heart desires.
But there’s a downside to dining solo.
Eating alone can be lonely, and the cleanup always falls on you. Most recipes usually aren’t easy meals for one person to cook and require you to make multiple servings. It’s easy to burn yourself out on leftovers or easy staples, like a peanut butter sandwich or scrambled eggs. Then there’s the nagging temptation to turn to takeout.
Thankfully, you have options!
Eating alone doesn’t have to mean unsatisfying – or unhealthy – weeknight dinners. There are tons of healthy recipes for easy meals-for-one, no matter what you’re craving – even takeout or comfort food. Many are perfect for keto, gluten-free and vegan diets too. But if you’re not good at freelancing in the kitchen, even simple recipes can be a struggle. Luckily, no matter your culinary IQ, we have a solution for you!
To help you craft easy meals for one, here are a few quick and easy healthy recipes you can throw together in a moment’s notice:
Chicken Recipes for One Person
- Chicken breasts with honey balsamic marinade and veggies like zucchini, eggplant and red peppers, cooked in one pot. (Pro-tip: Make two breasts, and use the second for another meal like chicken salad, sandwiches in a pita, chicken tortillas or tacos another night.)
- One-skillet chicken parmesan, with boneless chicken breasts and a crispy breadcrumb topping that eliminates the need to dredge and bread the chicken. For a treat, top the chicken with prosciutto.
Vegetarian or Vegan Recipes for One Person
- Mediterranean grilled cheese sandwich with feta cheese, onions, tomato and kale.
- Veggie burrito bowl with brown rice, black beans, diced avocado and salsa.
- Twice-baked sweet potato with black beans, scallions, avocado, cilantro and pepper-jack cheese (can substitute cheddar).
- Single-serving chickpea shakshuka in one pot: onions, garlic and bell peppers with olive oil, tomato puree and Indian/earthy seasonings, cooked chickpeas and olives. Serve over cauliflower noodles for a great pasta dish.
Salad Recipes for One Person
- Quinoa and black bean salad, with corn, bell peppers, scallions, garlic and lots of spices.
- Cobb salad with egg, avocado, onion, tomato, chicken and blue cheese (a great low carb option!).
Breakfast-for-Dinner for One Person
- Savory French toast, with onion, dill and a dash of pepper added to the egg mixture. (If you prefer the original version, sprinkle with brown sugar before serving.)
- Pesto caprese omelet with tomato and pesto sauce on one half of an omelet, mozzarella cheese on the other half, folded together and cooked.
Alternatives to Takeout for One Person
- Crispy fried rice with scallions, eggs and your choice of protein.
- Beef stir-fry – marinate meat in soy sauce and sesame oil in the refrigerator while you’re at work, stir fry on the stovetop for a few minutes, then add in your choice of veggies and mix together with a homemade or store-bought sauce.
Still Craving Dessert?
- A fruit smoothie or the occasional fruit muffin made with spelt or white whole wheat flour (sold at natural food stores) can ease the cravings and keep you away from the ice cream.
Other Options
- Delivery options, like pizza delivery, are one easy dinner. However, while you’ll save time, they won’t necessarily support your healthy eating goals.
- Delivery services, such as UberEats, offer a variety of local cuisine choices, but the additional service costs can quickly add up.
- Ready-to-eat rotisserie chickens from your local grocery store are an easy, protein-packed dinner, but you have to drive to pick one up.
- Doubling or tripling recipe ingredients when you cook can leave you with grab-and-grub leftovers for lazy nights.
The Best Solution
If cooking and meal prepping still aren’t for you, Factor is the perfect solution! With an expansive, and ever-changing menu of fully-prepared meals delivered directly to your door, they make planning dinner a thing of the past.
Factor offers a variety of meals to fit different dietary needs, such as keto, Paleo, high-protein and low-carb. And if you’re not sure where to begin, they offer free 20-minute nutrition consultations with one of their registered dietitians. With Factor’s delicious, dietitian-approved options, you can avoid shopping, cooking and cleanup, all while feeling great about what you eat!
To learn more about how Factor can help with your dinner plans, click here.
