16 Healthy 30-Minute Dinners for One (2024)

Looking for a healthy dinner for one that's easy to make? These recipes are ideal for a personal evening meal. From satisfying salads to cheesy pasta, you can make a delicious dish for yourself in 30 minutes or less. Recipes like our Shrimp Salad with Peanut Dressing and Chicken & Veggie Quesadilla are quick and tasty choices for dinner tonight.

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Grain Bowl with Chickpeas & Cauliflower

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16 Healthy 30-Minute Dinners for One (1)

This beautiful grain bowl is packed with healthy ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, kale and cauliflower--all drizzled with a lemony tahini sauce. The fast one-bowl meal makes a satisfying weeknight dinner or packable work lunch. If you don't have za'atar, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon each ground cumin and coriander.

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Lemon Chicken Pasta

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16 Healthy 30-Minute Dinners for One (2)

In this easy lemon chicken pasta recipe, we love the combination of lemon zest and toasted breadcrumbs. This healthy dinner is made with rotisserie chicken, quick-cooking spiralized zucchini and baby zucchini, so you get a complete meal in just 10 minutes.

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Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl

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16 Healthy 30-Minute Dinners for One (3)

This aromatic cauliflower rice bowl comes together in minutes and is a simple meal for one. Using frozen riced cauliflower instead of rice keeps the carbs in check--and makes for quicker prep.

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Shrimp Salad with Peanut Dressing

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Using applesauce in the peanut dressing lends a sweet, tart flavor that pairs wonderfully with shrimp.

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Mac & Cheese for One

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Making mac and cheese for one person is easy, and it requires just one pot! The key to success is making sure all of your ingredients are prepped and ready before you begin, as everything moves pretty quickly. Also, be sure to use a delicious sharp Cheddar for this recipe so that your mac and cheese delivers all of that delicious cheesy flavor.

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Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

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It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

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Chicken & Veggie Quesadilla

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This easy quesadilla recipe uses canned cooked chicken to save time. You can also use leftover cooked chicken or turkey if you have it. Dice the vegetables up to 1 day ahead for even speedier prep.

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Salmon Sushi Grain Bowl

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Get all the delicious flavors of sushi without the time-consuming rolling with this quick grain bowl recipe. All you need is 15 minutes to get this healthy dinner on the table or to pack it up for lunch at work.

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Egg Drop Soup with Instant Noodles, Spinach & Scallions

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Whisking a beaten egg into simmering broth is a quick and easy way to add creaminess and protein to noodle soup mix. Add freshness with a handful of baby spinach at the end. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve 2 and use the whole package of noodles. To cut back on sodium, look for noodle varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.

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Quick Greek Chopped Salad with Chicken

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Make lunch in a pinch with this healthy Greek salad recipe, ready in just 10 minutes. It's packed with protein and fiber, to help keep you full for longer.

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Prosciutto & Spinach Grilled Cheese

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Make grilled cheese for one with this quick and easy recipe! This sandwich packs in a healthy dose of veggies plus a delicious flavor boost from sliced prosciutto (Italian ham).

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Buffalo Chicken Grain Bowl

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Get the flavors of spicy Buffalo chicken wings, without frying, in this nutritious couscous bowl loaded with protein and crisp veggies.

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Beet & Shrimp Winter Salad

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This healthy dinner salad recipe gets its staying power from protein-packed shrimp and fiber-rich barley. With a simple red-wine vinaigrette, this quick salad makes just one serving but is easy to double or triple. Look for precooked beets with other prepared vegetables in the produce department.

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Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled Egg

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16 Healthy 30-Minute Dinners for One (14)

Jazz up basic ramen noodles with toasted sesame oil, quick-cooked broccoli and a jammy soft-boiled egg. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.

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Mediterranean Pasta Salad

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You might not think to use hummus as a pasta sauce, but the creamy dip makes the perfect backdrop to the bold flavors of this healthy Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad.

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Chickpea & Veggie Grain Bowl

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This high-fiber vegetarian grain bowl is packed with colorful veggies and plant-based protein to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.

16 Healthy 30-Minute Dinners for One (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

It's dinnertime: ZOE members' top recipes
  • Chickpea & broccoli pasta.
  • Lentil & eggplant stew.
  • Veggie shepherd's pie.
  • Harissa traybake.
  • Noodle salad.
  • Cod & salsa salad.
  • Kale salad.
  • Mushroom stir-fry.
Mar 19, 2024

What is a good dinner for one person? ›

  • 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.
  • Chicken Fried Rice For One.
  • Small Batch Ham And Cheese Sliders.
  • Crack Chicken For One.

What is a heart healthy meal for one? ›

Make a salad for dinner (or pack it for lunch) with mixed greens, beans, any veggies on hand and a sprinkle of unsalted sunflower seeds. Microwave a sweet potato and puree it with beans and low-sodium chicken broth for a satisfying soup.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

But to break it down in terms of meats only, and which is the healthiest, here's our list featuring the best:
  • Top overall: Lean cuts. ...
  • Lean cuts of Pork: ...
  • Healthiest: Skinless Turkey Meat. ...
  • Healthiest: Skinless Chicken Breast. ...
  • Healthiest: Flank, strip steak, and 95% lean ground beef. ...
  • Sources:

Is there a meal plan for just one person? ›

Make mealtime easier and eliminate food waste with our easy meal plans for one! Our structured weekly meal plans for one include single serving recipes for those cooking for one. Not only do these plans save you money, but they also prevent food waste by ensuring no leftovers.

What should I make for dinner 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.

Is peanut butter heart healthy? ›

"The majority of the fat that peanuts (and peanut butter) contain is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat," Largeman-Roth explains. Peanut butter is also a very satiating food, which means it can help you feel more full and satisfied for longer, especially when added to other foods, Largeman-Roth says.

What are 5 foods that are good for your heart? ›

Foods that improve heart health:
  • Salmon and tuna. These fish are high in omega-3s–healthy fats that can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart rhythm disorders. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Walnuts and almonds. ...
  • Oranges. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Dark chocolate. ...
  • Low-fat yogurt. ...
  • Cherries.

What meat is good for the heart? ›

Options include:
  • Seafood — fish and shellfish.
  • Poultry — chicken or turkey breast without skin or lean ground chicken or turkey (at least 93% lean)
  • Lean meats — like pork shoulder, beef sirloin, or lean ground beef (at least 93% lean)
  • Beans, peas, and lentils — like black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • Eggs.
Jul 1, 2023

What meals should you eat everyday? ›

eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day) base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein.

What is actually the best meal of the day? ›

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, but should it be? For some, skipping breakfast can be detrimental to their day — especially for kids — but others may feel better fasting until lunch. Experts agree that while breakfast provides benefits, one meal isn't more important than the other.

What are the top 20 healthy foods? ›

What are Top 20 best food for good health? The top 20 best foods for good health include spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, blueberries, oranges, almonds, walnuts, avocado, salmon, tuna, eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

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