DiscussionsCooking for Two

i have the problem that i'm just cooking for myself, and most recipes have several servings.  and some things you can't freeze.  i tend to buy microwave meals b/c of this, and i am sick of eating them.  anyone have suggestions for someone just cooking for themselves and can't have a lot of leftovers?

I am cooking for only 2,so I can fully understand your situation.   Start out by immediately cutting the recipe in 1/2 the serving size. Then in a few days or for lunch use the leftovers. Also a great way to go is by changing one meal into another by just adding a new side dish.Get rid of the first round of sides!

thank you so much to everyone who has replied.  you have all really really helped me out with great suggestions and links!

I wrote this thread awhile back, but I think it would be helpful:

http://www.pillsbury.com/community/discussions/12/690/1#2811

Sincerely, Cate

My sister's father in law makes lasagna with square hamburger patties and cheese ravioli.  My grandmother used to get little foil loaf pans and do meatloaf for 1 (She'd make like 4 at a time and freeze them then just cook when she was in the mood).  You can do things like make a batch of rice or mashed potatoes and freeze it in portions, same with cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts or seasoned cooked ground beef or turkey, this way you only grab what you need instead of having a batch that you're stuck with.  For example you could take a portion of ground beef and add to jarred sauce for spaghetti or mix with taco seasoning for nachos/taco salad, mix with a can/jar of brown gravy and pour over noodles or rice or just mix it by itself with macaroni and cheese.  Chicken can be mixed with creamed soups & veggies to make a mock pot pie with come canned biscuits, chopped fine and added to salsa for quesadillas or added to can/jar gravy and served over noodles.  Be sure to save any can/jar sauce leftovers by pouring into an ice cube tray and freezing - then put in a labeled freezer bag so next time you grab only what you need.  Ramen is another versatile wonder, you can pair it with some bits of veggies, leftover meat scraps and some soy sauce for low mein or mixed with ground beef and marinara for spaghetti.  My mom used to take just one or two leftover pork chops and chop them fine for putting in fried rice, it was a great way to feed 6 people!  You could do the same for yourself with a fraction of the leftovers with pork, chicken, ham, etc and leftover rice.

Keep an eye out too for sauce packets.  They're the single person's friend!  Cheese sauce, pizza sauce, sweet & sour... you don't need much when you're cooking for yourself and you save the expense (and refrigerator space) if you're not getting big jars.

Maggie

Hi there cooking for one.  I too am a cooking for one member along with having some health issues.  I do not use microwave meals because of the sodium content, which leave me with the pleasure of actually searching out recipes geared to my lifestyle.  I have been enjoying searching out websites for small recipes, (usually for 2) but if it is good at least I can enjoy it twice.  I have also checked out library books.  Some websites to look at are:  pillsbury.com, kraftfoods.com, tasteofhome.com, realsimple.com, and foodnetwork.com

Remember to buy in bulk, but package for cooking a smaller meal.  Example:  buy the 5 pound package of ground beef, use baggies, ziploc bags, and a foodsaver to store enough in each package for 2 hamburger patties or a small amount of meat sauce for pasta.

Even if you cook 2 meals a week and mix it in with your microwave meals, you will give yourself enough variety to really enjoy your meals.  I hope I have been a help to you.