Want to eat well without a lot of hassle? Save money on take-out? Follow these tips and recipes for easy meals for single guys.
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Whether you’re currently in school or busy in the work force, you gotta eat. You’re tired of fast food, but you don’t want to spend a lot of time fussing in the kitchen.
I get you, buddy. I’ve got four sons aged 21 to 28. This is not my first rodeo.
What are some easy meals for single guys? We’ve got plenty of delicious dinner options here at Good Cheap Eats. I promise you’re going to find the perfect options for you.
Tips for Cooking for One
Cooking for yourself is different than cooking for a crowd. You want enough food, but not too much that might go to waste.
Keep these ideas in mind as you meal prep this week so you can save time and money:
1. Scale it down.
Consider what recipes can be halved/quartered. If it’s a recipe for a large casserole, consider splitting it into several dishes.
There’s a huge variety of recipes that you can scale for one or two servings. Check my database of recipes that easily scale for one person.
2. You can have variety, if you want.
You don’t have to have the same thing every day — unless you want to. Some days it is easier to just put the same meal on repeat.
Many meals follow a protein-starch-vegetable pattern. Prep a couple different of each category and mix and match them with different sauces and toppings to keep things exciting.
You can have your favorite comfort food, just plan it well so you don’t waste food. Prepped food is good for 4 days in the fridge. Freeze it for longer storage.
3. Focus on meals that share ingredients.
Cooking for one can be expensive if food is going to waste. Avoid food waste by narrowing the breadth of your grocery list and prepping dishes that share common ingredients.
If you cook a big pack of one protein like chicken, you can use it in different ways throughout the week or freeze it for longer storage.
4. Freeze the extras.
What you won’t eat in the next day or two can be wrapped and stored in the freezer. In fact, this is what you should plan to do if you make a regular size recipe. Follow my best freezer meal prep tips.
Easy Meals for One
These are all tasty foods that can be prepped for one person:
- eggs and egg bakes
- waffles, pancakes, and crepes – freeze what you won’t eat in the next couple days
- single serve pizzas – make them on pita or naan to make it easy!
- snack boxes – aka homemade lunchables
- sandwiches and wraps
- fried rice, stir fries, and sautés
- quesadillas and burritos
- rice bowls
- tostadas and tacos
- enchiladas and casseroles
- soups, stews, and chilis
- pasta dishes
- curries
- burgers
- foil packets
- shish kabob
- cooked proteins, such as chicken breast, pork tenderloin, steak, ground meats, sausages, fish, and shellfish
Easy Recipes for Single Guys
Okay, women will like these recipes, too. However, as a mom of four sons and two daughters, I’ve observed differences between my sons and their friends and my daughters and their friends.
Guys almost always want to eat and they almost always want ample protein. These recipes fit that bill – easy, protein-rich dishes that can serve one person or are good leftover.
Quite honestly, I’m tired of men not being given the respect they deserve. I’ve watched the “girl power” ideology try to squash young men for far too long.
Consider this recipe round up a love letter to my boys and their pals.
Burritos
If you like burritos, don’t hesitate to make a big batch for the freezer. My husband keeps a bag of frozen burritos in the freezer at work and reheats one or two every day for lunch. They cost less than $1 a piece and you can make them exactly how you want them.
Pizza
Depending on where you live, pizza may be affordable to grab a slice and go. But, it’s pretty darn easy to make it yourself at home. Leftovers are just as good and you can even freeze pizza!
Fish
You’ve likely heard that fish is nutritious and high in protein. It’s also quick to prepare in a skillet, on the grill, or even in the air fryer.
Remember that fish will have some odors, so do your workmates a favor and don’t reheat it in the office microwave.
Soups, Stews, and Chili
You can make as big or as small a pot of soup, stew, or chili. It will be good for several days in the fridge, and it freezes well, too.
If you put noodles or potatoes in yours, be sure to read my Tips for Freezer Cooking so You Won’t Get Soggy Noodles and Black Potatoes.
Slop Bowls
You know what I’m talking about, right? The Chipotle or Cava knock-off that you can make at home for less? These are just a few examples to get you started. Don’t forget to make a batch of Quick Pickled Onions to top them off!
Chicken
Chicken is a lean budget protein that is easy to cook and you can use it in many different ways.
Beef
Beef can be a little pricier, so watch for sales and buy it when it’s under $6/pound unless you’re counting it as a splurge. Ground beef will be cheaper than big cuts, but ground turkey will be even cheaper than that.
Pork
Pork includes ground pork, sausage, ham, bacon, and cuts of pork. It is often the cheapest of the meats, but it can be highly processed or high in fat so keep that in mind for your health goals.
Recipes that call for a big cut of pork can be scaled or frozen for another time.
Tell us what you think!
We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.
This post was originally published on February 12, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Rae Robertson
I have question about the beef, barley soup. I love beef barley soup. It really is my favorite. When I make and have left overs I put it in the fridge but when I go to eat it the next day the barley has absorbed all of the broth. Does this happen if you freeze it? I usually only make enough for dinner and a lunch. If it freezes without losing all the broth I will make a larger amount and freeze. Thank you.
Jessica Fisher
I have frozen it without a problem, but there is a small chance that it may absorb the broth. I would recommend testing it next time you make it. Just freeze one portion and see how you like it.
Carolyn Stutz
I’ve told you my son has made quite a few of your recipes and usually takes a day to fill up his freezer. He sends me pictures of his “haul for the day”, but this post gives me ideas to pass on to my niece who is at college and renting a small apartment. She’s involved in theater and on the move constantly between classes, working, and play practice. I can make up some “single” meals for her so all she has to do is re-heat them.
Of course, now it’s got me thinking [once again] about my mother who is not fond of cooking and can “never think of anything to make” although she makes some amazing meals! Anyway, this is a jumping off point.
Once again, thank you!
Jessica Fisher
Love all this: sons who cook, young single women eating well, daughters feeding moms. All as it should be. 🙂
Sue
For winter, chili is my favorite “make and freeze in single servings” dish. It can be served as is, over pasta, with chips, a baked potato, with a corn muffin etc.
Jessica Fisher
Great serving ideas!