Cooking for one can be challenging. especially when it seems like most recipes are made for four or more people. But batch cooking is a great way to combat this. And it doesn’t mean making big pots of food that will end up going to waste either. The idea is to cook once, and then have food ready to go throughout the week. This can save time, money, and energy and makes prepping and eating for one much simpler. 

When cooking for one, plan ahead. Start with a list of your favorite meals to narrow things down. Meals that store well in the fridge or freezer work best, so think of dishes like soups, stews, stir-fries, and even baked goods. It helps to pick a couple of recipes that use similar ingredients, so there’s no need to buy a lot of different things. For example, roasted vegetables can be used in a salad, a grain bowl, or even in a wrap. This way, the ingredients can be used in a few different ways and won’t get boring by midweek.

Using storage containers is another part of making batch cooking work. Invest in a few good ones that seal tightly, as this helps food last longer in the fridge and freezer. Some people like to use containers that are all the same size, so they stack neatly and save space. Label your containers with what’s inside and when it was made so you can keep track of everything. It’s easy to lose track of how long something has been in the fridge, so the label can be a quick reminder. These containers can be filled with single portions, which makes grabbing a quick meal easy. 

Cooking one type of protein or grain at a time can make things even easier. For example, you can cook a big batch of chicken, beans, or rice at once, and then use it in different ways throughout the week. Think of it as making building blocks that can be mixed and matched with different sauces, vegetables, or seasonings. A batch of quinoa could be used for breakfast, mixed with fruit and nuts, or for lunch, paired with roasted vegetables and a dressing.

Another helpful trick is to think about which foods freeze well. Things like pasta sauces, soups, stews, and grains freeze and reheat nicely. By freezing part of a batch, meals can be spread out over a longer period. This is especially useful in spaces like these one bedroom apartments in Soma, where freezer space may be limited. It’s also helpful to keep portions in mind when freezing. Freezing in single servings makes it easy to reheat just what’s needed, without thawing more than necessary. It’s a great way to have a variety of meals on hand without taking up too much space in the freezer.

Batch cooking is one of the best ways to make meals-for-one that are interesting throughout the week and that store ideally for the least amount of waste. By thinking a little differently about portions and storage, cooking once and eating multiple times becomes a simple way to enjoy homemade meals without all the daily prep. With a few tips and some planning, batch cooking can be a convenient way to make sure there’s always something tasty and in the right portion on hand.