Sometimes, 30 minute dinner recipes for one are exactly what you need. Delicious meals that are easy to make, especially in such a short amount of time, should always be on hand for those days when you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.
Below are dinner recipes that taste great even though they’re done in no time.
17+ Dinner Recipes for One
1. Quick Mac & Cheese
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. In the meantime, shred your cheese and measure out your ingredients. Start cooking your pasta in a small saucepan, melt butter on top, then whisk in flour while it cooks.
Slowly whisk in milk and mix until it begins to bubble around the edges, which should take 2-5 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in your cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Drain your pasta when it’s done, stir in your cheese sauce and serve while it’s hot.
2. Vegetarian Enchiladas
Sauteed zucchini, cheese, salsa and black beans make up the layers on this tasty enchilada recipe. You’ll also need tortillas, cumin, salt and pepper for this recipe. Heat a 10-inch skillet, soften your tortillas in oil and then transfer to a towel-lined plate.
In an 8” skillet, heat olive oil and then add in your zucchini, cumin, salt and pepper.
Once done, transfer to a bowl, stir in your black beans and salsa. Add a layer to the bottom of a 5×5 baking dish and then place a tortilla on top. Spread on your zucchini and cheese before adding another tortilla on top. Pour salsa on the top and any remaining cheese you have. Bake for 15 minutes, uncover and allow to cook for five more minutes until the cheese melts on top.
3. Individual Lasagna
Lasagna for one is a fun dish to put together. Start by mixing the following ingredients in a bowl:
- Salt and pepper
- Egg
- Parsley
- Parmesan cheese
- Ricotta cheese
Add oil to a large skillet, add the onion and cool until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute before adding in your sausage. Cook until browned and then drain. Pour in your tomatoes and seasoning and continue to cook for 20 minutes.
Place noodles on the board and add ¼ cup of your ricotta mix to each noodle, followed by your meat sauce.
Repeat a few times, roll up your noodles and then cover with parmesan cheese. Bake and serve.
4. Pasta Carbonara
Pasta carbonara is one of my fave 30 minute dinner recipes for one. You’ll need dry spaghetti, egg, Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, ground black pepper, thick bacon, garlic cloves and chopped parsley.
Prep your egg mix, cook your pasta and bacon, saute the garlic, make the sauce and then stir your pasta water reserves into the skillet slowly.
Water reserves will thicken the egg mix into a velvet coating. Crumble your bacon over your pasta, toss and combine. Season and serve hot with Parmesan cheese and parsley on top.
5. Cheddar Broccoli Rice Casserole
Small casseroles like these are made with smashed broccoli, rice and melted cheddar. You can make this dish in just four minutes.
- Prepare your minute rice
- Add broccoli, water and cheese to a separate bowl
- Heat the broccoli and cheese mix
- Smash your broccoli with a fork
- Pour in the rice
- Mix together
6. Lemon and Garlic Chicken
Orzo, skinless chicken breast and spices come together perfectly in this recipe. You’ll season with garlic, lemon juice, paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt and black pepper. Start by preparing your marinade, marinate the chicken and then bake for 25 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meat is cooked fully. Remove from the oven once done, cook your orzo, drain and then butter it.
Assemble your orzo and chicken before serving.
7. Fettuccine Alfredo
Thirty minutes for creamy alfredo? Bring your medium pot to a boil and cook your fettuccine with salt so that it doesn’t stick together. When the fettuccine nears the end of its cooking time, add the following into a small pot:
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parsley
- Cayenne
- Garlic powder
- Milk or cream
Heat until it’s steaming and stir in your Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Pour over your fettuccine and toss well. Allow to thicken for a few minutes before serving with some fresh parsley on top.
8. Tortellini Soup
Refrigerated tortellini, sausage and spices make this soup filling and delicious. You’ll brown your sausage over medium heat, add onions and cook until softened, and then stir in your spices.
Add your broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in your tortellini, cook until tender and then incorporate your additional ingredients: spinach and cream. Top with Parmesan cheese.
Feel free to experiment with this recipe by adding green beans, kidney beans or zucchini.
Related: Best 30 Minute Dinner Recipes for the Lazy Host
9. Creamy Zucchini Soup
Soup is the perfect 30 minute dinner recipe for one on cold afternoons or nights when you just want something warm to eat. For this recipe, you only need a few ingredients:
- Cream
- Garlic
- Potato
- Zucchini
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Parmesan cheese
Heat your oil, onions and garlic in a pot with a touch of salt and pepper. Cook for three minutes, add diced potatoes and zucchini to the pot. Sauté for two minutes, pour in just enough water to cover the veggies and stir the cream and potatoes once they’re well-cooked.
Blend the soup well, add more spices to taste and serve hot with some cheese on top.
10. Burger Bowl
Make your own burger bowl with:
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Pickles
- Spices
- Roasted potatoes
You’ll serve with a burger sauce made from mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, onion and garlic powder and salt.
Don’t forget the shredded cheese and any condiments that you wish.
11. Potato Soup
Tender potatoes, bacon and sharp cheddar are all simple ingredients that, when combined, make up a comforting soup. You’ll need a 2-quart saucepan for this recipe along with:
- Bacon
- Chopped onions and garlic
- Chicken broth
- Salt and pepper
- 1% milk
- Flour
- Cheddar cheese
In just six simple steps, you’ll have a taste of this tasty soup.
12. Creamy Chicken Paprika
Chicken paprika makes the list of 30 minute dinner recipes for one because it tastes so good. Start by cooking your pasta in a saucepan while you season your chicken with salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
Sauté your aromatics for two minutes with butter and then stir in your garlic.
Add your paprika, build your sauce, heat your broth on medium-high and stir in your cream. Continue stirring, return the chicken to the pan and spoon over your pasta.
Related: 17+ Delicious Spaghetti Squash Bowl Recipes You Can Make Tonight
13. Single Serve Dump Lasagna
Dump lasagna is hearty yet easy to make and delicious. Cook your pasta while following directions. In a separate pan, cook your beef until it’s no longer pink and strain. Return to medium-high heat and add your veggies and spices:
- Bell pepper, celery stalks, zucchini and carrots
- Parsley, oregano, garlic paste, salt and pepper
You’ll also need Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, egg and cottage cheese. Cover in tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes.
14. Pizza in a Mug
Homemade pizza in a convenient mug size. This recipe is certainly unique, but it’s surprisingly good.
The secret is the dough, which you’ll make with all-purpose flour, water and oil.
You’ll mix the dough ingredients, then add a layer of tomato sauce, then mozzarella cheese and pepperoni on top.
Microwave, and enjoy!
15. Chicken Spaghetti for One
An easy spaghetti recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes. It features a flavorful, creamy sauce and tender chicken – you’ll love every bite.
I recommend using leftover chicken for this recipe to save time. The sauce is a blend of chicken broth, milk, shredded cheese, flour, tomato and seasoning.
Want this dish to be even creamier? Use heavy cream instead of regular milk.
16. One Bowl Cheesy Spaghetti
Spaghetti and meatballs for one? I’m all in. It’s not easy to make this kind of dish into a single serving, but Just Microwave It does a great job.
All you need is spaghetti, meatballs, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
The entire dish is cooked in the microwave (including the pasta), so it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe.
Make sure you use a quality microwave-safe bowl for this dish.
17. Sushi Bake Dinner for One
One of my favorite 30 minute dinner recipes for one. But I will admit that this recipe is more complicated than others. It doesn’t take long to prepare, but it does have a few different parts.
The sushi bake is a mix of sushi rice, eel sauce, furikake, sriracha, Japanese mayo and cream cheese. You’ll pair the bake with a tasty salmon.
Eat this with roasted seaweed, cucumbers, avocado and other condiments.
Related: 25+ High Protein Dinner Ideas to Meal Prep on Sunday
18. Lasagna Soup for One Person
Lasagna soup is a comforting dish that’s delicious any time of the year. But there’s the best part: It’s super easy to make.
You’ll cook ground beef in a creamy, cheesy tomato broth with spices and noodles. The recipe adds Parmesan cheese and mozzarella to the broth to make it rich and even creamier. When serving, garnish with shredded basil leaves and a dollop of ricotta cheese.
This is a single-serving dish that you’re sure to add to your weekly rotation.
