Comfort Food Recipes For One (2024)

Home Cooking for One Articles Comfort Food Recipes For One

By Joanie Zisk

on Jan 20, 2020, Updated Apr 21, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

We’ve gathered our most popular comfort food recipes that you’re sure to enjoy. Recipes include beef stew, tuna casserole, meatloaf, and many more!

this Recipe

There’s something special about comfort foods that we seem to crave throughout the year. When it’s cold, a big bowl of something warm and wonderful feels right. If we’ve had a bad day, many of us crave a glorious carb filled meal. And on days when we’re feeling like we just want to curl up on a sofa in something comfortable and binge watch our favorite show, a hearty nostalgic dish seems to call out to us.

RELATED: 14 Day Single Serving Meal Plan

Here we’ve gathered our favorite (and most popular!) comfort food recipes. Each recipe is designed to serve one person, possibly two if a side dish is also shared.

Within this list, you’re sure to find many hearty and delicious recipes you’re sure to enjoy.

Table of Contents

  • Healthy Comfort Food Recipes
  • Comfort Food Recipe Side Dishes

Healthy Comfort Food Recipes

Comfort Food Recipes For One (3)

Pork Tenderloin For One

4.92 from 24 votes

Discover how to make pork tenderloin with our simple, single serving recipe. Ideal for a quick, tasty dinner for one, without any leftovers.

Pork Tenderloin For One

Comfort Food Recipes For One (4)

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls For One

4.92 from 12 votes

Enjoy a single serving of unstuffed cabbage rolls in minutes! This easy recipe is perfect for those who are short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious and hearty meal. Made with simple ingredients, these unstuffed cabbage rolls are quick and easy to make, and they're sure to satisfy.

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (5)

Easy Ham Steak Recipe

4.94 from 33 votes

Enjoy a quick, delicious ham steak with brown sugar glaze ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions!

Ham Steak For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (6)

Healthy Turkey Chili For One

4.80 from 10 votes

Single serve Turkey Chili recipe made with lean ground turkey, tomatoes, vegetables, and spices. A healthier alternative to beef chili, this flavor packed single serving meal can be ready in 30 minutes!

Turkey Chili For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (7)

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup For One

5 from 4 votes

Creamy Instant Pot butternut squash soup is a healthy and hearty soup recipe made in a pressure cooker. Get the slow simmered flavor in half the time with this flavorful butternut squash soup recipe.

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Comfort Food Recipes For One (8)

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup For One

5 from 5 votes

Enjoy a quick & comforting single serving of Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup. Perfect for chilly days or a cozy pick-me-up with classic home flavors.

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Comfort Food Recipes For One (9)

Italian Meatball For One

5 from 6 votes

Easy to make giant Italian meatball topped with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. This homemade, oven baked meatball is juicy & filled with flavor!

Italian Meatball For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (10)

Pork Stir Fry For One

4.86 from 35 votes

Make a quick and healthy single serving ground pork stir fry with our easy dinner for one recipe. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for a delicious, nutritious, and fast dinner. Ideal for busy weeknights!

Pork Stir Fry For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (11)

Chickpea Curry For One

4.95 from 20 votes

Quickly prepare a flavorful Chickpea Curry in 20 minutes! A delightful dish with rich spices, creamy coconut milk, and hearty chickpeas.

Chickpea Curry For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (12)

Chicken Caprese For One

5 from 18 votes

Enjoy a single serving of Chicken Caprese, ready in 30 minutes. A classic Caprese blend with seasoned chicken, tomatoes, red onions, balsamic glaze, and melted mozzarella. Simple, elegant, and easy to clean up, it's the perfect mix of health and taste.

Chicken Caprese For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (13)

Lemon Garlic Chicken For One

4.88 from 32 votes

Enjoy a single serve Lemon Garlic Chicken meal, ready in under 30 minutes. Cook it in the oven or on the grill, and serve with rice, pasta, or in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option. Quick, versatile, and full of flavor.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (14)

Butter Chicken For One

4.73 from 22 votes

This is the easiest Butter Chicken recipe you'll find. Incredible flavors, quick and easy to make, this classic Indian dish will surely become a favorite.

Butter Chicken For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (15)

French Onion Soup For One

4.93 from 27 votes

Indulge in a comforting bowl of French Onion Soup. Rich, savory, and topped with melted cheese, this easy soup recipe brings gourmet flavor to your kitchen.

French Onion Soup For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (16)

Healthy Sloppy Joe For One

4.93 from 13 votes

A healthy Sloppy Joe made with lean ground turkey, chopped red bell peppers and sweetened with molasses. Lower in fat and calories than a traditional Sloppy Joe sandwich and even more delicious!

Sloppy Joe For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (17)

Mini Zucchini Lasagna

4.85 from 13 votes

Healthy, low carb, cheesy zucchini lasagna made with all of the wonderful ingredients found in a traditional lasagna but without the noodles.

Mini Zucchini Lasagna Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (18)

Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby For One

4.88 from 16 votes

Make a Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby in under 30 minutes! Enjoy a buttery pancake with fluffy-crispy textures, savory ham, and melted cheese.

Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby Recipe

Nostalgic Southern Comfort Food Recipes

Comfort Food Recipes For One (19)

Salisbury Steak For One

4.77 from 30 votes

This Salisbury Steak Recipe For One is single serving comfort food at it's finest. Low in carbs and topped with a mushroom, onion gravy. Made with with pantry staples, this comforting meal can be ready in minutes.

Salisbury Steak For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (20)

Slow Cooker Meatloaf For One

4.94 from 16 votes

This Mini Slow Cooker Meatloaf is tender and juicy and so easy to make! Made with onions, garlic, spices and topped with a sweet and tangy sauce. This simple recipe makes the perfect amount to serve one or two people. Included in the recipe are instructions for converting a Crockpot or Crockpot-style slow cooker into a single serving slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Meatloaf For One

Comfort Food Recipes For One (21)

Beef Stroganoff For One

4.92 from 34 votes

Make a delicious, quick, and easy single serve Beef Stroganoff with tender beef, creamy sauce, no canned soup, and cooks in 30 minutes. A satisfying meal!

Beef Stroganoff For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (22)

Twice Baked Eggplant

4.85 from 53 votes

Indulge in this Twice Baked Eggplant, a creamy and cheesy dish that's both comforting and nutritious. Perfect for low carb and traditional diets alike.

Twice Baked Eggplant For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (23)

French Bread Pizza

5 from 5 votes

Discover how to make delicious French Bread Pizza in minutes! An easy, customizable recipe perfect for a quick, cheesy meal.

French Bread Pizza Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (24)

Tuna Casserole For One

4.89 from 36 votes

Enjoy a single serving tuna casserole crafted from one can of tuna, featuring a rich homemade creamy sauce, pasta, and a crisp, buttery topping.

Tuna Casserole For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (25)

Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

4.67 from 24 votes

Savor a Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf, blending classic burger flavors in a homestyle meal for 1-2. Juicy beef, smoky bacon, and gooey cheese in every bite.

Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Comfort Food Recipes For One (26)

Taco Casserole For One

5 from 18 votes

Layers of seasoned ground beef and cheese between crispy tostadas and baked in the oven. Easy single servings recipe is absolutely delicious!

Taco Casserole For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (27)

Beef Stew For One

4.87 from 23 votes

A hearty, classic Beef Stew filled with amazingly tender beef, onions, carrots, and gold potatoes. You'll love how easy this stew is to make and how rich and satisfying it tastes! This recipe makes the ideal amount for one person.

Beef Stew For One Recipe

Comfort Food Recipes For One (28)

Mini Lasagna

4.91 from 42 votes

Indulge in a delicious Mini Lasagna, perfect for serving one or two. This small lasagna recipe features classic flavors and bakes in just 30 minutes!

Mini Lasagna Recipe

Comfort Food Recipe Side Dishes

You might like to consider serving any of these single serving side dish recipes with any of the comfort food recipes listed:

Cornbread

Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Butternut Squash

Cucumber Salad

Irish Soda Bread

RELATED: 20 Single Serving Breakfast Recipes Worth Waking Up For

For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit ourFAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit ourStore page.

RELATED: 40 Easy Recipes For College Students

Comfort Food Recipes For One (29)

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Comfort Food Recipes For One (30)

Welcome!

I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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12 Comments

  1. Finding your site is a true blessing. I am a widow now and alone. Cooking was a challenge until I found your cookbook and now I enjoy the videos, your recipes and all your tips. I found joy again in the kitchen. Thank you from my heart!
    Sue

    Reply

    1. I’m so happy you found our website, Sue! It’s great to know our recipes and videos are helpful to you.

      Reply

  2. These meals for one is such a wonderful idea and greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad you are finding the recipes helpful.

      Reply

  3. I love this website very much. I have been having trouble cooking for myself since my husband had passed away on 6/8/2008 of a heart attack after being married for 20 years. Thank you for your recipes that you have been sending me and I look forward to seeing more of them soon.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Michelle.

      Reply

  4. You are awesome! I thank you a hundred times over for all the hard work you put into making other’s lives easier. You are truly a blessing! I subscribe, own your cookbook, and have used dozens of your recipes and haven’t been disappointed yet! Umm, however…I’m still waiting for the Boston Cream Pie for one! Thank you again for the gift you have given to so many people

    Reply

    1. Margaret, you are too kind!

      I’ve added Boston Cream Pie to our list of recipes to work on and share this year. Thank you for the suggestion – I happen to love this pie so working on the recipe will be a fun project.

      Take care,
      Joanie

      Reply

  5. I’ve got to tell you… After having had bariatric surgery and also having recently tuned into cooking for one, I’m in heaven with these recipes. Thank you SO much.

    Reply

    1. Hi Brenda,

      I am so happy you are enjoying the recipes. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!

      Joanie

      Reply

  6. I am a new member. I lost my husband 2 years ago, came across this network a few days ago and i am really enjoy the recipes. Love the meatloaf, and others..Thanks..

    Reply

    1. Hi Jean,
      Welcome! Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your husband. I’m so glad you found our site and hope you find many new recipes to try here.
      Have a wonderful week.
      Joanie

      Reply

Comfort Food Recipes For One (2024)

FAQs

What's your go to comfort food best answer? ›

Fried chicken: a classic comfort food because of its crispy texture and the positive memories of picnics and gatherings. Mac and cheese: macaroni noodles in cheese sauce are simple to cook and perfectly balance carbs and proteins. Kebab: meat, veggies, spices, sauces — all mixed on a plate or rolled in a flatbread.

What to have for dinner for one person? ›

  • Beef Bulgogi For One.
  • Shrimp Quinoa Bowl For One.
  • Chicken Paprika For One.
  • Spinach Orzo Salad For One.
  • Baked Cod For One.
  • Slow Cooker Chickpeas And Sausage For One.
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Salad For One.
  • Baked Chicken Thighs For One.

What to eat for one person? ›

Keep scrolling for a bunch of solo dinner ideas that you'll actually get excited to make.
  • Broccoli and Bacon Loaded Sweet Potato. ...
  • Sausage and Tomato Sauce Pasta. ...
  • Old-Fashioned Jacket Potato. ...
  • Egg, Avocado, and Tomato Toast. ...
  • Mug Baked Rigatoni. ...
  • Turkey Chili for One. ...
  • Microwave Hot and Sour Soup. ...
  • Orange-Maple Glazed Salmon.
Mar 14, 2023

What is America's #1 comfort food? ›

Become a Jetsetter
  • Chicken and Waffles.
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs.
  • Chicken Fried Steak.
  • Mac and Cheese.
  • Hotdish.
  • Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.
  • Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.
  • Matzo Ball Soup.
Mar 1, 2020

What's your all-time favorite comfort food? ›

Pizza is the perfect comfort food not only because it's made from the mouthwatering union of warm dough, smooth and flavorful tomato sauce, and melty cheese, but also because you can get it delivered right to your door by barely lifting a finger.

What's your ultimate comfort food? ›

We can all agree that anything involving pasta or a rich delicious gravy is right at the top of the comfort food list. And this recipe for beef stroganoff features both! With buttery egg noodles smothered in a creamy beef and mushroom gravy that's rich, warm, and full of flavor, this is the ultimate wintertime food.

What is a comfort food when you are not feeling well? ›

Proteins like chicken and turkey and carbs like noodles and rice provide the energy you need to fight illness. The best comforting soups include: Chicken Noodle Soup. Matzo Ball Soup.

What to cook for dinner when alone? ›

Meal-for-one recipes
  1. Aubergine & sesame dan-dan-style noodles. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  2. Super steak with cheat's béarnaise. ...
  3. Smoky bacon pot noodle for one. ...
  4. Kung pao cauliflower & prawn stir-fry. ...
  5. Flattened chicken with tomatoes, olives & capers. ...
  6. Microwave mug omelette. ...
  7. Christmas dinner for one. ...
  8. Summer risotto.

What to cook when you're single? ›

Cooking for One: Recipes for the Single Person
  • Socca (Chickpea Flatbread) with Roasted Veggies & Goat Cheese.
  • 5-Minute Breakfast Tacos.
  • Roasted Vegetable & Barley Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing (great leftovers!)
  • Single-Serving Scones.
  • Single-Serving Cherry Crisp.
  • Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake.

What is a mans favorite dinner? ›

No two guys are alike, but most share a love for hearty, full-flavored meals. Burgers and pizza. Meals cooked over fire. Meats made with beer. Try these and other stick-to-your-ribs recipes made with men in mind.

What is the single best food for humans? ›

Top 10 Foods for Health
  1. Water. Drink 8 to 12 cups of water daily.
  2. Dark green vegetables. Eat dark green vegetables at least three to four times a week. ...
  3. Whole grains. Eat whole grains sat least two or three times daily. ...
  4. Beans and lentils. Try to eat a bean-based meal at least once a week. ...
  5. Fish. ...
  6. Berries. ...
  7. Winter squash. ...
  8. Soy.

What should I eat if I live alone? ›

  • Tempeh Quesadilla. Rated 5 out of 5. ...
  • Collard Greens & White Bean Soup. Rated 4 out of 5. ...
  • Spicy Baja-Style Shrimp Tacos. Rated 3 out of 5. ...
  • Quick Tandoori Chicken. Rated 4 out of 5. ...
  • Quick Tomato Sauce. Rated 4 out of 5. ...
  • Ricotta Mini-Pizzas With Kale Pesto. Rated 5 out of 5. ...
  • Mushroom & Egg Toast. Rated 4 out of 5. ...
  • Black Bean Chili.

What are the best sympathy foods? ›

A warm, cheesy helping of lasagna boosts your brain's serotonin uptake, making you feel satisfied and calmer, at least in the short term. Another bonus: these meals can be frozen and reheated for another night. Sugary foods, like cakes, cookies, and pies, are also comforting and popular as sympathy foods.

What comfort food boosts mood? ›

12 Mood-Boosting Foods: Eat Your Way to Happiness!
  • Dark chocolate. Rich in flavonoids, dark chocolate has been linked to increased serotonin levels which may help alleviate symptoms of depression. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Oily fish. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Avocados.
Oct 12, 2023

What are good soothing foods? ›

Consuming the following foods may help reduce anxiety in some people.
  • Fatty fish. Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and herring, are high in omega-3s. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Pumpkin seeds. ...
  • Dark chocolate. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Chamomile. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Green tea.

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