15 Straightforward Vegetarian Meals for One That Will not Break the Financial institution
Bruno Mars
7 min read
Of all of the perks of cooking for one, I feel my favourite factor is selecting no matter I would like. Adulting—at its best. Relying on my cravings, I’ll throw collectively a balanced grain bowl, elevated avocado toast, or a easy salad. Different occasions, a hefty portion of granola atop Greek yogurt or cottage cheese will do. Most nights, although, we eat dinner as a household. It’s a chance to attach, create wholesome consuming habits, and savor what’s in season.
However when the celebrities align, I really like solo eating. As a toddler mother, it feels luxurious. Whether or not you empathize, reside by your self, or eat in another way than your roommates, let’s dig into 15 straightforward vegetarian meals for one. Psst, even if you happen to aren’t vegetarian, these are value bookmarking!
Characteristic picture by Michelle Nash.
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5 Methods for Solo Cooking
Cooking is an act of self-love. It’s the final word type of on a regular basis nourishment, aside from a restful evening’s sleep. That stated, most cookbooks—and recipes on the web—aren’t geared for one individual. Inevitably, you’re left with sufficient leftovers to feed a crowd. Whereas a well-stocked freezer is helpful (and hungry neighbors will all the time admire a half-dozen cookies!), there’s one thing to be stated about minimizing meals waste. From the way you grocery store—to your meals preparation and meal selections—there are strategic methods to cook dinner for one individual. Plus, the following pointers will reduce your leftover load and prevent cash. Win, win.
1. Inventory Good
Maintain elements available which have an extended shelf-life. Sometimes, these lend themselves to utilizing as a lot—or as little—as you want. That is key for a single cook dinner! Shelf-stable choices embody pasta, rice, beans, lentils, olive oil, maple syrup, nut butter, balsamic vinegar, and non-dairy milks. Most canned items (soups, diced inexperienced chiles, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, and so forth.) fall into this class, too.
So far as refrigerated objects go, assume eggs, jarred minced garlic, olives, dijon mustard, lemons, limes, apples, and so forth. For on-the-counter produce, squashes, onions, and potatoes will final for weeks (or months) in a cool, darkish place.
2. Meal Plan
This goes with out saying, however meal planning is king. If you happen to’re new to planning meals, it’s a game-changer—particularly as a solo cook dinner. Whilst you could also be tempted to purchase quite a lot of produce, snag further punnets of on-sale blueberries, and so forth., much less is extra. As a substitute, go for a smaller number of greens that can be utilized in a number of recipes (so that you don’t find yourself tired of only one or two meals!). For instance, plan to purchase bell peppers, onions, carrots, and spinach—all of which can be utilized in a quiche, tacos, pasta, soups, and extra.
3. Reinvent Plain Protein
Most of us aren’t keen on days and days of the identical leftovers (solo cook dinner, or not). So, it’s greatest to organize elements that can be utilized in quite a lot of methods. For instance, seize a rotisserie hen from the grocery retailer. Toss it right into a sandwich, grain bowl, or soup. Similar goes for tofu. Whip up a easy baked tofu and add it to a protein-packed salad or wrap.
Different versatile proteins: hen sausages (chop and add to salads and pastas), steak (add to salads, tacos, and sandwiches), and tempeh (stir-fries, grain bowls, and so forth.). The secret is to organize your protein supply with minimal seasonings—assume oil, sea salt, and pepper—so you may zhuzh it up later within the week.
4. Store Frozen
Frozen produce is the present that retains on giving. Boil, steam, sauté, or toss fruits and veggies into smoothies, soups, frittatas, fajitas, or oatmeal. Relating to straightforward vegetarian meals for one, the freezer is your greatest pal. You need to use what you want and put the remainder again within the freezer with none fear of waste. Benefit from freezing your herbs, too! Final however not least, procuring frozen is among the greatest methods to save cash on natural produce.
5. Finish The Week With A Artistic Twist
By the top of the week, you’re most likely taking a look at a nearly-empty fridge. Aside from a couple of carrots, sauces, corn tortillas, and a half-eaten block of tofu, you could be fast to get lunch delivered. As a substitute, that is your mild nudge to assume exterior the field.
In case you have a can of garbanzo beans, olive oil, lemon, and garlic available, throw collectively a fast hummus in your blender. Serve that with any contemporary veggies you have got, together with cheese, crackers, and a handful of nuts. Lunch is served. Frittatas are nice for this as nicely. Flip in your favourite music, flip by your favourite cookbook to get inspo, and set a timer for 20 minutes. See what you may assemble.
15 Straightforward Vegetarian Meals For One
With out additional ado, beneath are crave-worthy vegetarian meals. You possibly can whip these up with minimal elements (and a few solely take a matter of minutes!). A gourmand grilled cheese by no means tasted so good.
Combine-and-Match Lunchtime Grain Bowls
Made with hearty produce and pantry staples, say hi there to your new favourite lunch. These bowls are excellent when you have got a random assortment of leftovers to shine off.
Sunday Night time Avocado Toast
This takes lower than 10 minutes, begin to end. If you happen to don’t eat eggs, sub for seared tofu or a thick smear of your favourite non-dairy cheese.
Tomato, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad
You possibly can simply lower this refreshing recipe in half! Contemporary herbs and feta gown up the simplicity of candy tomatoes, ripe avocado, and hydrating cucumber. That is the epitome of a (non-) unhappy desk lunch.
Masala Corn Bhutta Salad
Complicated in taste, this recipe is deceivingly easy to throw collectively. Maintain as is, or use fewer ears of corn. This salad makes for scrumptious leftovers with a fried egg or baked tempeh.
Kale Sourdough Panzanella
Relating to straightforward vegetarian meals for one, this panzanella is the crème de la crème. Total, this dish is refreshing and veggie-ful, however with the added satiation of bread and cheese. It’s the proper method to make use of a loaf of bread that’s headed south.
Hummus and Greens Bowl
With or with out the boiled egg, this hummus and greens bowl is loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and naturally, taste. You need to use any veggies you have got available. Make hummus from scratch or purchase it pre-made—and don’t neglect your seeds!
Crispy Roasted Candy Potatoes
The last word consolation meals (that requires only a few elements). Candy and savory, these all the time hit the spot. You possibly can prime them with non-dairy cheese, hummus, tahini, avocado, and so forth.—the sky’s the restrict. Roasting a batch of candy potatoes will present quite a lot of satiating meals all through the week.
Cumin Chickpea Salad with Mint Chutney
Opposite to its ingredient checklist, this chickpea salad comes collectively shortly. It’s included in our roundup of straightforward vegetarian meals for one as a result of not solely is it scrumptious and protein-packed, however you can also make the mint chutney forward of time! Talking of, you should use the chutney in quite a lot of different recipes: blended with rice, spooned over lentils, a dip for potatoes, and so forth.
Amaranth Porridge with Figs and Papaya
We love a breakfast-for-lunch (or dinner!) second. Candy or savory, let your cravings do the speaking. Porridge recipes are a surprise for the solo cook dinner, as you can also make as a lot—or as little—as you want. Whereas most recipes name for oats—an exquisite, nourishing selection—this take makes use of millet and amaranth for a scrumptious, toothsome spin.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta
Whereas this recipe is much more scrumptious the next day, you may lower it in half or gobble it in a single serving. Impressed by ratatouille, the veggies cook dinner collectively on one sheet pan and get tossed with rigatoni for a easy, satisfying meal.
Vegetarian Quiche
Utilizing your pastry and veggies of selection, that is the proper recipe when you have got minimal elements available. Assume: a handful of eggs and wilty produce. Take pleasure in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Spring Rice Salad
Rice salad is the improve you didn’t know you wanted. And it’s so addicting, you’ll wish to eat all of it week lengthy! Utilizing a mixture of pantry staples, frozen peas, and some contemporary elements, this is among the greatest straightforward vegetarian meals for one.
Pesto Pasta Primavera
This pesto pasta is the final word one-pot pasta recipe. It’s fast and straightforward, so scrumptious, and brimming with contemporary summer time greens. Reduce this recipe in half or share with hungry neighbors!
Vegan Chorizo Tacos
Put together your tastebuds for these mouth-watering chorizo tacos. Plus, the filling could be spooned over rice, in a salad, or atop a grain bowl. The chorizo oil is the star of the present, and you may simply make it forward of time.
Creamy Polenta Bowls
Have a meals processor? Make these creamy polenta bowls. Whereas this recipe may look a little bit fancy for a weeknight dinner, all of it finishes on the similar time. To make it extra solo-cook-friendly, lower the recipe in half. You may as well retailer polenta within the freezer for as much as three months!
