What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook: 175 Super Easy Recipes Made Just for You
175 single-serving recipes for every solo chef who just wants a satisfying and delicious home-cooked meal for themselves.
Cooking for one is harder than it seems and it can leave anyone wanting to make a healthy, tasty meal either throwing out extra helpings or watching expensive ingredients expire. But it’s possible to prepare single-serving recipes that are full of flavor, easy to make, and economical if you have the right guide.
The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook allows you to make a fresh, delicious, home-cooked meal for one without creating a week’s worth of leftovers or leaving an abundance of unused fresh ingredients that quickly go to waste. Each of the 175 single-serving recipes are quick and simple to make and save you both time and money. And while the ingredients are common, the results are anything but. In addition to flavorful meals, this cookbook includes clever ideas of how to reduce food waste and source single servings of fresh ingredients.
With The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, cooking solo never needs to be boring (or overwhelming) again whether you live alone or are just looking for a filling and enjoyable meal for yourself.
Cooking for one is harder than it seems and it can leave anyone wanting to make a healthy, tasty meal either throwing out extra helpings or watching expensive ingredients expire. But it’s possible to prepare single-serving recipes that are full of flavor, easy to make, and economical if you have the right guide.
The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook allows you to make a fresh, delicious, home-cooked meal for one without creating a week’s worth of leftovers or leaving an abundance of unused fresh ingredients that quickly go to waste. Each of the 175 single-serving recipes are quick and simple to make and save you both time and money. And while the ingredients are common, the results are anything but. In addition to flavorful meals, this cookbook includes clever ideas of how to reduce food waste and source single servings of fresh ingredients.
With The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, cooking solo never needs to be boring (or overwhelming) again whether you live alone or are just looking for a filling and enjoyable meal for yourself.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2019
874 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 3, 2019
A Great Volume for a Special Audience—One
Cooking for one is a challenge to cut down the recipe for one person. Joanie Zisk has written this book with 175 recipes designed for a single person. The initial chapters lay the ground work for the book and give key insights on topics like how to avoid wasting food or how to read a recipe. I loved her advice about stocking your kitchen where she says, “A well-stocked kitchen allows you to create meals at the last minute with little or no planning. Once you have stocked your pantry and refrigerator with the things you use regularly, buying groceries is more about replenishing what you have used during the past week, as well as adding specific ingredients for meals you have planned for the coming days. “ (page 8)
The chapters provide a wide range of recipes: breakfast, side dishes, chicken main dishes, beef and pork main dishes, fish and seafood main dishes, vegetarian main dishes and desserts. Everyone will find easy-to-use recipes in THE ULTIMATE COOKING FOR ONE COOKBOOK. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books Straight Talk From the Editor
Cooking for one is a challenge to cut down the recipe for one person. Joanie Zisk has written this book with 175 recipes designed for a single person. The initial chapters lay the ground work for the book and give key insights on topics like how to avoid wasting food or how to read a recipe. I loved her advice about stocking your kitchen where she says, “A well-stocked kitchen allows you to create meals at the last minute with little or no planning. Once you have stocked your pantry and refrigerator with the things you use regularly, buying groceries is more about replenishing what you have used during the past week, as well as adding specific ingredients for meals you have planned for the coming days. “ (page 8)
The chapters provide a wide range of recipes: breakfast, side dishes, chicken main dishes, beef and pork main dishes, fish and seafood main dishes, vegetarian main dishes and desserts. Everyone will find easy-to-use recipes in THE ULTIMATE COOKING FOR ONE COOKBOOK. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books Straight Talk From the Editor
November 19, 2020
Some entrees felt totally pointless (why would I go through all the complicated steps for one small plate? Leftovers are great!). One portion soup? No way.
Where the book shined for me was the small-portion desserts. They often don't hold well over time and I get sick of eating them. Making enough for two days is probably the perfect amount.
Tiny tres leche? Sure! Single serving apple crisp? I'm game!
I saved a bunch of recipes...now to see if the flavor is satisfying...if not, I at least have an idea of base ingredient measurements to shoot for.
There was enough in here that I felt realistically I could make and would actually want to. Update when I've tested a few.
Where the book shined for me was the small-portion desserts. They often don't hold well over time and I get sick of eating them. Making enough for two days is probably the perfect amount.
Tiny tres leche? Sure! Single serving apple crisp? I'm game!
I saved a bunch of recipes...now to see if the flavor is satisfying...if not, I at least have an idea of base ingredient measurements to shoot for.
There was enough in here that I felt realistically I could make and would actually want to. Update when I've tested a few.
May 3, 2020
Unhealthy
Recipes range up to 1000 calories,, 50g fat, 1000g sodium, and frightening amounts of sugar. If you are hoping for healthful alternatives this is not the cookbook for you. I returned it immediately
Recipes range up to 1000 calories,, 50g fat, 1000g sodium, and frightening amounts of sugar. If you are hoping for healthful alternatives this is not the cookbook for you. I returned it immediately
December 22, 2021
Decent recipes with ingredients I'd actually eat, except for the calorie counts and number of carbs. One recipe - one serving! - had 935 calories and 137 carbs. The sodium levels are unbelievably high.
February 18, 2021
Great tips and excellent recipes for one portion.
February 24, 2021
Most of the recipes are shockingly high in carbs, sugar, or sodium, but that’s easily remedied with a few careful swaps. The idea and the theory is really what you want this book for. Once you get the hang of how to create a smaller scale recipes without a lot of waste, you can branch out on your own with the skills you learned here.
June 15, 2020
Paged through this at Target this weekend, since I decided this past weekend was the time for me to learn to cook. I eat meat and my partner is vegetarian, so I thought a cookbook for solo cooking would be perfect.
This book is okay. It assumes the reader has never cooked anything beyond cereal, and I don't know how I feel about that assumption. The result is that the recipes are safe and expected. But there is a picture with each and the recipes themselves are simple enough to follow.
If you're single and cooking dinner is your first venture into the kitchen, this book is for you.
This book is okay. It assumes the reader has never cooked anything beyond cereal, and I don't know how I feel about that assumption. The result is that the recipes are safe and expected. But there is a picture with each and the recipes themselves are simple enough to follow.
If you're single and cooking dinner is your first venture into the kitchen, this book is for you.
October 2, 2023
I read a different cooking for one book not long ago and decided to check out the other books out there. In this book, you will find 175 simple recipes that are perfect for when you’re only cooking for one person. It’s extremely easy to adjust most of the recipes for allergies. However, if you’re allergic to oats like I am, you’ll have to skip the overnight oats recipes all together.
The book is organized by the type of dish one will be cooking, such as breakfast, side dishes, chicken or seafood, vegetarian, or dessert. There are quite a few delicious sounding recipes under each section. However, the book is lacking in photos of the dishes, so if you’re someone who wants to see pictures before each dish, keep that in mind when considering picking up this book.
Overall, the dishes look and sound delicious. One of the things I like about this book is that there’s an occasional tip offered at the end of each recipe that can help you improve your cooking technique, avoid waste, etc. There are also tips on how to avoid food waste in the opening in the book, and the author encourages making the weekends the days one tries to use up any leftover veggies and such from the week. I’m looking forward to making some of the dishes found in the book as well as checking out more cooking for one books in the future.
The book is organized by the type of dish one will be cooking, such as breakfast, side dishes, chicken or seafood, vegetarian, or dessert. There are quite a few delicious sounding recipes under each section. However, the book is lacking in photos of the dishes, so if you’re someone who wants to see pictures before each dish, keep that in mind when considering picking up this book.
Overall, the dishes look and sound delicious. One of the things I like about this book is that there’s an occasional tip offered at the end of each recipe that can help you improve your cooking technique, avoid waste, etc. There are also tips on how to avoid food waste in the opening in the book, and the author encourages making the weekends the days one tries to use up any leftover veggies and such from the week. I’m looking forward to making some of the dishes found in the book as well as checking out more cooking for one books in the future.
February 9, 2021
Simple and straightforward recipes for one - many easily doubled for 2 or leftovers. If this is your first kitchen adventure the book begins with some handy hints and hacks. Ingredients are straight forward and do not require a hunt in back corners ethnic food stores or a trip across town to the "fancy" food store to find. I purchased two copies - one for me - my nest is empty now so a cookbook for one is perfect and one for my granddaughter who is now cooking for herself or an occasional guest. We both agree it is a good book. In 30 mins (5 prep and 25 to bake) I will have a deep dish chocolate chip cookie ready for my dessert.
September 5, 2021
There's a reason people say it's so difficult to cook for one -- because it's true.
I come from a long line of fabulous cooks who didn't bat an eye at preparing meals for a house full of people; timing everything just right and ending up with few leftovers. I've spent most of my adult life trying to adjust my mother's and grandmothers' dishes down to one or two servings, but I never quite get it right.
With this book, however, I can actually fix a decent meal and not have to have leftovers for a month. The instructions are clear, the pictures are helpful, and her occasional suggestions (what to do with a leftover can of tomatoes, anyone?) add that perfect touch.
I come from a long line of fabulous cooks who didn't bat an eye at preparing meals for a house full of people; timing everything just right and ending up with few leftovers. I've spent most of my adult life trying to adjust my mother's and grandmothers' dishes down to one or two servings, but I never quite get it right.
With this book, however, I can actually fix a decent meal and not have to have leftovers for a month. The instructions are clear, the pictures are helpful, and her occasional suggestions (what to do with a leftover can of tomatoes, anyone?) add that perfect touch.
January 14, 2022
I am one of those cooks from a large family that has always cooked in bulk and can whip up large meals with ease. Now that it is just me and my 9yo in a small apartment with no storage for leftovers, I was struggling to downsize my meal prep, until I discovered Joanie Zisk and Cooking for One. She makes it easy with not only this cookbook, where she includes companion ideas for what else you can do with the rest of a can of tomato paste when your recipe only needs 2 tbsp, but also a website and 2 Facebook groups to share additional recipes and tips. I have found her, this book, and the groups truly inspirational.
May 31, 2022
Zisk has put together a pretty comprehensive cookbook with portions sized for one person. Her underlying assumption is that cooking your own meals will be cheaper and healthier than relying on takeout food. If you're starting from scratch, it will take a fair amount of money to set up your kitchen and pantry to make all her recipes. These recipes also rely on major preparation after a shopping trip to portion raw ingredients into smaller packages for future use. Some of the recipes are quite manageable on a night when a quick meal is required but others take a major investment of time. I'm not sure I'd go to all that effort for one bowl of soup or one serving of lasagna.
December 31, 2024
Is the book filled with recipes I would eat? Yes.
However, some of the nutrition numbers for some of the recipes are absolutely frightening. Keep in mind, the counts are supposed to be for one serving.
There are SEVERAL (and I don’t mean like 5-7, it feels like half of the recipes) recipes that are over 1,000mg of sodium. That’s something you find in like a lean cuisine, not a home cooked meal. Now I understand using sausage in a recipe will bring the numbers up, but holy cow it’s too damn high.
I still plan on cooking through the cookbook, but will absolutely be paying attention to the amounts of sodium that will go into them.
However, some of the nutrition numbers for some of the recipes are absolutely frightening. Keep in mind, the counts are supposed to be for one serving.
There are SEVERAL (and I don’t mean like 5-7, it feels like half of the recipes) recipes that are over 1,000mg of sodium. That’s something you find in like a lean cuisine, not a home cooked meal. Now I understand using sausage in a recipe will bring the numbers up, but holy cow it’s too damn high.
I still plan on cooking through the cookbook, but will absolutely be paying attention to the amounts of sodium that will go into them.
July 2, 2025
Cooking for one can be difficult, so it's nice to have this for both the recipes included and the recipes it inspires me to modify for my personal taste. The book was well formatted with easy to find ingredients and easy to follow directions, though some of the recipes had way too many ingredients and/or directions. Some of the recipes were also very high in carb and calorie counts. t I haven't found time to try any of the recipes yet, but there are several I plan to try soon. For those who have Kindle Unlimited, I'd recommend borrowing this book to check out the recipes The author also has an awesome website that is worth bookmarking.
Read
September 4, 2022We have always preferred different meals, so I am quite used to making two meals at the same time. Over time though my recipes got boring and I wanted to see what else I could come up with. I borrowed the book from the library. I thought it was well set out and easy to follow if you had never cooked before. There were a few recipes that I have kept notes of and will try. As I read a cookbook I can sense what a recipe will be like and find it quite relaxing reading.
April 25, 2023
Definitely not a health book, but if you're looking to treat yourself, and only yourself, this is an easy and fairly comprehensive group of recipes. Heck, even better that they're single servings as you probably shouldn't tempt yourself with leftovers. It's also simple enough to size them up as needed.
September 1, 2020
Why turn the oven on in the summer?
Too many breakfasts with heavy cream. Turn oven on for sides...this is great in the summer so that ac has to crank
I gave up after sides.
Yes,. I will write a personal cooking for one because there was nothing new here.
Too many breakfasts with heavy cream. Turn oven on for sides...this is great in the summer so that ac has to crank
I gave up after sides.
Yes,. I will write a personal cooking for one because there was nothing new here.
December 26, 2020
This really is the ultimate guide! Its a great book for people who live alone but what to cook a real meal for themselves. It gives partner recipes so you can use all of your ingredients, and there is a guide for collecting ingredients and utensils.
December 19, 2022
Never knew cooking for one could be fun
Like everything about the cookbook. I went from cooking for six to one. I wish this had been when I was first on my own.
Now I cook for one and no waste
Like everything about the cookbook. I went from cooking for six to one. I wish this had been when I was first on my own.
Now I cook for one and no waste
February 20, 2020
Love this cookbook. Lots of easy and very tasty recipes!
June 30, 2020
Nice variety of recipes with a mix of healthy and splurge options.
September 20, 2020
There are two of us, but we (especially my never-that-interested-in-food husband) are wanting so much smaller portions that this works well.
October 6, 2020
Great recipes for one or two people.
April 23, 2021
The dishes are good but if you are going to get all the ingredients then why not make more than one for later. Good dishes though.
August 20, 2021
Very salty, dishes were too rich for my lack of a gallbladder.
January 22, 2022
WOW! This book is good!
Very diverse and complete! You could go for months and never exhaust the choices presented in this book! Very glad I got it!
Very diverse and complete! You could go for months and never exhaust the choices presented in this book! Very glad I got it!
March 29, 2022
Some great recipes in this, and of the 7 books that I have looked out for Cooking for One. It is one of two I have purchased.
June 2, 2022
finally recipes I want to make!
I have so many bookmarked recipes … finally ‘for one’ recipes I actually want to make!! Can’t wait to try some of these…
I have so many bookmarked recipes … finally ‘for one’ recipes I actually want to make!! Can’t wait to try some of these…
June 10, 2022
It was a cute book and had some worthy single serving recipes that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Some. Not a lot though
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews