Do you often eat out or order takeout? Or do you settle for frozen meals every time you’re hungry? If this sounds all too familiar, it’s time to reconsider how you manage your mealtimes. Because the food you eat can significantly impact your mood, energy level, and overall health. Eating unhealthy food can make you feel sluggish and tired, and it may also lead to serious health issues.
While it’s understandable that cooking your meals can seem overwhelming when living alone. You don’t have roommates or family to help with meal preparation or grocery shopping, which seems too much work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy tasty, nutritious homemade meals daily.
Here are six simple recipes that require minimal effort and taste delicious – perfect for those living alone. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a pro, these easy recipes will help you create flavorful meals you can enjoy all week.
1. Finger-Licking Cheese Quesadilla
This Mexican-inspired dish is the easiest way to satisfy your cravings for something flavorful and filling. It’s perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
You only need some cheese, tortilla, butter or oil, and herbs or sauces for extra flavor. You may add other ingredients, such as cooked vegetables, meat, or chicken.
Start by heating the oil or butter in a pan. Place one tortilla onto the pan and flip it over when the side is slightly browned. Sprinkle your shredded cheese and the other ingredients on top. When the cheese has melted, fold the side of the tortilla over and press down lightly. Cook for a few more minutes, until golden brown. Garnish with your favorite herbs like oregano or cilantro, and serve it with salsa or sour cream. Follow this easy quesadilla recipe and add variations to this classic dish according to your liking.
2. Yummy Pizza Pasta
This quick and easy pasta dish is a delicious meal option when you don’t have the energy to prepare a complicated meal but crave some comfort food. It takes only a few minutes to get it on the table and requires a few ingredients.
Start by boiling the pasta according to the package instructions. In the meantime, heat some olive oil in a pan and add chopped garlic and onion. When lightly browned, stir in tomato sauce or diced canned tomatoes. Add pizza seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt & pepper to taste. When the sauce is ready, mix it with cooked pasta and sprinkle cheese.
Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted, then serve!
3. Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl
This one-pot meal combines the goodness of Mediterranean flavors with hearty quinoa. It’s a great dinner option for those who want to eat healthy.
Ingredients required include boneless chicken, red onions, tomatoes, garlic, bell pepper, quinoa, lemon juice, olive oil, feta cheese, oregano, thyme, and salt & pepper.
Start by sautéing red onions, garlic, and bell pepper in olive oil for a few minutes. Next, add boneless chicken and let it cook until lightly browned. Or you can watch out for the recommended chicken cooking temperature to ensure it is cooked through.
Add the quinoa and mix with tomatoes, oregano, thyme, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Cook until quinoa is tender and all the flavors have blended. Sprinkle feta cheese on top, drizzle olive oil if desired, and enjoy your Mediterranean-style meal.
4. Salmon with Avocado Salsa
The combination of salmon and avocado salsa is one of the tastiest things you can make when living alone. You’ll get a lot of healthy fats with this meal while enjoying the flavor it brings to your palate. Plus, you only need a few ingredients to make it.
To make the avocado salsa, you need one ripe avocado, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño pepper (optional), garlic clove, cilantro or parsley leaves, red onion, lime juice, and salt & pepper to taste.
Mix the cherry tomatoes, jalapeño pepper (if using), garlic, and red onion in a bowl. Add the diced avocado, cilantro or parsley leaves, lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix everything and set aside while you prepare the salmon.
Take two fillets of salmon (or more if desired) and season with some salt & lemon juice or your favorite seasoning mix. You can use any technique to cook the salmon. Serve the salmon with your freshly prepared avocado salsa and steamed vegetables for a balanced and delicious meal.
5. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
The ever-so-popular tomato basil soup is a delightful comfort food you can enjoy all year round. It’s a great way to warm up on cold days, and it tastes even better when served with some grilled cheese or garlic bread.
To prepare this delicious soup, you need onions, garlic, olive oil, canned tomatoes (or fresh ones), vegetable broth, heavy cream, sugar, and Italian herbs or basil. First, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Then, add the canned tomatoes (or fresh ones) and vegetable broth and let it simmer for around 10 minutes. Now, pour this mixture into a blender and blend everything until smooth.
Transfer the soup to the pan, add heavy cream, sugar, Italian herbs, or basil, and cook for a few more minutes. Season with salt & pepper according to your preference, and your creamy tomato basil soup is ready to be enjoyed.
6. Veggie-Loaded Fried Rice
Fried rice is a great way to get your veggies in without compromising flavor. It’s also an easy dish that can be ready within minutes if you have all the ingredients.
For this dish, you need cooked white or brown rice, vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, bell pepper), garlic, onion, sesame oil, soy sauce, and eggs.
Start by heating some sesame oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped garlic and onion and let it cook for around 2 minutes, and then add the vegetables and let them cook until tender. Add cooked rice and scrambled eggs (optional) when the vegetables are done, and mix everything for a flavorful meal.
Conclusion
The autonomy of living alone does not mean that you have to resign yourself to bland, unhealthy meals. Try the cheesy quesadillas when craving Mexican food or the creamy tomato basil soup when you need a warm hug. Veggie-loaded fried rice, salmon with avocado salsa, and Mediterranean chicken quinoa bowl are other easy meal recipes you can easily make, so give them a try!