Easy Recipes When You Live Alone: Cooking for One

Living alone has its own charm. I live alone in Jaipur, a city full of colors, heritage, and mouth-watering food. But when you stay by yourself, one of the biggest questions every day is – “Aaj khane mein kya banau?” (What should I cook today?).

When I first started living alone, cooking felt like a big task. Opening the fridge, seeing vegetables lying there, and not knowing what to do with them used to make me frustrated. Sometimes I would just order food, but soon I realized it is not healthy or pocket-friendly. Slowly, cooking became my friend, my comfort, and sometimes even my stress-buster.

Cooking for one doesn’t mean boring food. It can be quick, simple, and full of taste. The best part? You can cook exactly what you like—no compromises!

Let me share some easy recipes when you live alone and tips that I follow while living alone.

1. One-Pot Masala Khichdi

When I am tired after work or roaming around Jaipur’s markets, khichdi is my savior.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup rice
• ¼ cup moong dal
• 1 small tomato, 1 small onion, 1 green chili
• cumin seed , mustard seeds & curry leaves.
• ½ tsp turmeric, salt, and a pinch of red chili powder
• Ghee for taste

Process:

Wash rice and dal together. In a cooker, add ghee, jeera, mustard seed & curry leaves[ let them pop ]  sauté onion and tomato, add spices [red chilli, turmeric powder, salt], then dal-rice with water (around 2 cups). Cook for 3 whistles. Serve hot with pickle or curd.

Why I love it? – It feels like home, warm and filling.

2. Vegetable Poha

Perfect breakfast or light dinner!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup poha (flattened rice)
• 1 small onion, 1 potato, few peanuts
• Curry leaves, mustard seeds, green chili
• Salt, turmeric, lemon juice

Process:

Wash poha and keep aside. In a pan, heat oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion, potato, peanuts. Once cooked, add turmeric, salt, and poha. Mix gently. Squeeze lemon on top.

Why I love it? – Quick, tasty, and reminds me of my childhood mornings.

3. Roti Pizza

Sometimes, I crave junk food but don’t want to order. That’s when I make this.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roti
• Veggies like onion, capsicum, tomato
• Tomato ketchup or pizza sauce
• Cheese

Process:

Take a roti, spread sauce, put veggies, grate cheese, and cook on a tawa until cheese melts.

Why I love it? – Simple twist, and feels like a treat!

4. Curd Rice

In Jaipur’s hot summers, curd rice is my best friend.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked rice
• ½ cup curd
• Salt, coriander leaves
• Optional: tempering with mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chili

Process:
Mix rice with curd and salt. For extra flavor, add tempering.

Why I love it? – Cooling, light, and so easy , good for gut health.

5. Besan Chilla (Savory Pancake)

This is my go-to when I want something filling but don’t want to spend much time.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• Chopped onion, tomato, green chili, coriander leaves
• Salt, red chili powder, turmeric
• Water

Process:

Mix besan with water to make a smooth batter. Add all veggies and spices. Heat a tawa, pour batter like a pancake, and cook both sides with little oil.

Why I love it? – Crispy, tasty, and super healthy, rich in protein. Sometimes I eat it with green chutney, sometimes with ketchup or you can have a bowl of fresh curd.

6. Quick Vegetable Pulao

One of my favorite one-pot meals when I have leftover veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• Mixed veggies (carrot, beans, peas, capsicum , potato)
• Onion, green chilli , bay leaf, cumin seeds
• Salt, garam masala, turmeric, red chilli

Process:

In a cooker, heat oil, add cumin, onion, bay leaf, veggies, spices. Add rice + water (double quantity). Cook for 2 whistles.

Why I love it? – Aromatic, wholesome, and you can eat it with curd or just plain.

My Personal Tips for Cooking Alone

• Cook in small portions: Don’t make too much, or you’ll get bored of eating the same food again.
• Use one-pot meals: They save time and reduce the mountain of dishes.
• Experiment: Sometimes I add a Rajasthani twist with kadhi or gatte ki sabzi in small portions.
• Store smartly: Always keep curd, poha, and some basic veggies at home. They save you on lazy days.
• Make cooking fun: Play music, sip chai while cooking. It doesn’t feel like a chore then.

Cooking Alone, But Not Lonely

At first, cooking for one can feel empty. No one to share with, no one saying “thoda aur do.” But slowly, you realize you’re actually cooking with love—for yourself. Every meal you make is self-care.

When I sit with my plate near the window of my Jaipur home, watching the city lights, I feel proud. I cooked for myself. I nourished myself. And that is a kind of love we all deserve. ❤️

Additionally check out our other blogs 7 delicious paneer recipes you must try at home.