Category: Lunch Recipes for One

Depending on your life, lunch during the week may be grab-and-go or going out for a sandwich. On the other hand, if you work at home, or telecommute, these lunch recipes for one person are just the thing.  Many of them can be put together in just a few minutes.  A few are best for the weekend when you have more time and want to treat yourself (try the shakshouka for that).

Some of these recipes require cooking, and some just need chopping and tossing. There are also a few that you can make with leftover (or even a rotisserie) chicken from a different recipe.

Single Serving Egg Recipes

Spinach and Egg Frittata for One Person

Fried Egg Burrito

Frittata Recipe for One Person (try this on a weekend)

Sandwiches for One

Bacon Spinach Tomato Aioli Sandwich Recipe

Three Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Chicken Caprese Salad Panini Sandwich

Lunch Salad Recipes for One

Single Serving Asian Chicken Salad with Cabbage Recipe

Mixed Greens Egg Potato and Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Blueberry Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese and Walnuts

Canned Salmon Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

It’s so hot that even I can’t bear the thought of turning on the stove. But I still need to eat. What to do? Then I had an idea. Canned salmon salad with lime vinaigrette. No cooking. No stove. All you have to do is open a can, slice up some veggies, and make a quick dressing. It’s all ready in under 10 minutes.

I adapted the salad from a recipe for chopped salmon salad. It looked good, but it called for avocado and red onion. Since I didn’t have those things, and I had no intention of going outside, I improvised. I also didn’t want to chop.

Because I had fresh limes, but not lemons, I thought I’d add my own spin by using a lime vinaigrette instead of lemon.  Also, I wanted more sweetness than a lemony dressing would give.

The dressing is part ad hoc and part something else I found online. Lime for a citrusy kick, a bit of Dijon mustard for bite, and a dash of sugar to boost the sweetness.

If you don’t have the exact ingredients on hand, feel free to substitute. A few suggestions below.

Canned Salmon Salad with Lime Vinaigrette Substitutions and Variations

  • Add 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
  • Slice half an avocado and add to the salad
  • Include 1/4 small red onion, sliced
  • Use romaine lettuce instead of iceberg (I wanted extra crisp)
  • Make the dressing with fresh lemon juice instead of lime

More Entree Salad Recipes

simple panzanella for oneSimple Panzanella Salad for One

No cooking! No stove! This classic Italian salad is made with crusty bread, salad veggies, and a simple dressing. Add a hard boiled egg or canned tuna (or maybe some of the canned salmon) for a heartier meal.

chili citrus avocado chicken saladChili Citrus Avocado Chicken Salad

Transform leftover chicken (or get one pre-cooked) into an entirely different meal. This salad packs a citrusy punch with lots of sweet and tangy flavor.

 

blueberry feta spinach saladBlueberry Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese and Walnuts

Crispy, refreshing, and easy. This salad is an entire meal by itself. It’s got sweet blueberries, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy walnuts.

 

strawberry spinach salad with balsamic dressing and feta cheeseStrawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Feta Cheese

Colorful, tasty, and no cooking required.  The strawberries are complemented nicely by the tangy, salty cheese and the hearty vinegar.

Simple Panzanella Salad for One

Summer tomatoes are (finally!) here and I am soo glad to be rid of the sad supermarket versions! I had some stale bread, and inspired by a friend, I decided to make a simple panzanella salad for one.

Panzanella is a classic Italian dish made from day-old crusty bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. After that, you can add more veggies (such as bell pepper or zucchini), toss in olives, and either a simple oil and vinegar dressing, or a full-out vinaigrette.

This one is adapted from Ina Garten’s version. Her recipe was for 12 people! It is traditional to let the whole salad sit for 30 minutes.  That allows the bread to soak up the flavors. It also gives you soggy bread. Since I prefer it crisp, I ate it right away. Besides, that way there’s no waiting to eat!

I’ve cut her recipe for the vinaigrette in half and substituted white wine vinegar for Champagne vinegar.  I have six or seven kinds of vinegar, and enough is enough! You can use the champagne version if you have it.  This is a bit more dressing than you need for one salad, but it will keep and you can use it for something else (or more panzanella another day).




Simple Panzanella Salad for One Substitutions and Variations

  • Replace the capers with olives
  • Add other fresh veggies, more kinds of bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, or some cabbage
  • Make it heartier with good quality tuna or some fresh mozzarella pearls (tiny balls of cheese)




More Side Salad Recipes

israeli chopped saladIsraeli Salad

Easy, healthy, and no cooking. Serve as is, or add humus, olives, and pita for a light lunch.

 

dill caper potato saladDill Caper Potato Salad

Sweet/sour capers plus lemony dill combine for a salad that’s big on flavor, but light on mayo.

 

lemony cucumber salad recipeLemony Cucumber Salad

A lemony cucumber salad is the perfect antidote to a brutally hot day. It’s light, refreshing, and delicious too.

 

dijon mustard vinaigrette potato saladDijon Mustard Vinaigrette Potato Salad

This Dijon mustard vinaigrette potato salad is different from the usual potato salads. Since it’s French, it’s got no mayo. Instead, there’s  olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard for a bit of bite.

 

 




Chili Citrus Avocado Chicken Salad

It’s a rare treat for me to get avocados at a decent price here in NY.  We always see them during the Super Bowl (for guacamole), but really the best time to buy them is now. But, I got a great deal at Imperfect Foods on both limes and avocados the other day. So, I decided to take advantage and create a chili citrus avocado chicken salad.

I must say it was a smashing success. The sweet limes, velvety avocado, bright and crunchy veggies, and the spicy chicken combine for a carnival of flavor and color.

The chili citrus chicken recipe is one I already had (here on the site).  Adding the veggies and the dressing transformed it into a completely different meal.

Great for hot weather.  Make extra chicken the night before for dinner and you don’t have to cook at all the next day.




 

Chili Citrus Avocado Chicken Salad Substitutions and Variations

  • Mix together whatever greens you like: spinach, leafy green lettuce, romaine, red lettuce, etc.
  • I used cucumber, carrots, and tomatoes as veggies, but feel free to substitute bell pepper, mushrooms, snap peas, cooked corn, or whatever other salad veggies strike your fancy
  • Add some orange segments to punch up the citrus flavor

More Entree Salad Recipes

leftover roast lamb eggplant spinach saladLeftover Roast Lamb Eggplant and Spinach Salad

Transform your lamb breast leftovers into a second meal (or make extra).  The creamy eggplant and the spinach balance the strong flavor of the lamb, all topped with a garlicky easy aioli dressing.

smoked salmon artichoke saladSmoked Salmon Artichoke Salad

A feast for both the eyes and the taste buds, this salad is both colorful and delicious.   It’s got sweet citrus, earthy spinach, and smoky salmon, all topped with a savory dressing.

 

cold leftover steak saladCold Leftover Steak Salad with Goat Cheese and Red Wine Vinaigrette

Forget the classic steak sandwich for a minute and use your leftovers to make this salad instead.  Chop some veggies, add goat cheese, and make a quick red wine vinaigrette. A full meal with no cooking! Ta da!

mixed greens egg potato chicken saladMixed Greens Egg Potato and Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Another great entree salad that’s easy and flavorful (without a lot of work). Use spinach, mixed greens, chicken, or tuna. It’s flexible and easy. All you have to cook is the potato and the egg.




Apple Almond Chicken Salad

Apple almond chicken salad is an easy lunch that’s full of flavor, without a lot of bother.  You can either start with rotisserie chicken from the store, or roast your own.  The flavor comes from sweet apples, crunchy almonds, and tangy sour cream.

Switching from all mayo to half sour cream and half mayo adds more zing, and makes the salad a lot less heavy. I don’t just mean calories.  I find all mayo is just too greasy.  If you don’t have sour cream, Greek yogurt works really well too.

This recipe was inspired by an online food group I belong to. There are themes most months and this time it was apples. So I decided to switch my usual chicken salad up a bit.  Goodbye grapes and hello apples!

Use a rotisserie chicken and this recipe is done in five minutes. Or, do it yourself (think of this as two recipes in one). The roast chicken is delicious for dinner too.

If you want to roast the chicken yourself, mix up 1 tsp olive oil, a small clove of garlic (chopped), and 1 tsp rosemary in a small ramekin. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and then coat it with the olive oil mixture.  Roast at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Then let it cool, and remove the skin. Eat the skin as a chef’s treat (this is an important step!). Shred the chicken, and prepare the rest of the salad. Roasting at a higher temperature keeps the meat juicy while the skin gets crispy and golden brown.







Apple Almond Chicken Salad Substitutions and Variations

  • Use chopped almonds or other nuts, like walnuts or pecans
  • Try switching the rosemary in the roast coating with tarragon instead
  • If you use rotisserie chicken, add some fresh rosemary or tarragon to the salad
  • Go back to the grapes
  • Toss in some craisins (sweetened cranberries)

More Chicken Salad Recipes

chicken caprese salad paniniChicken Caprese Salad Panini Sandwich

Think of this as sophisticated grilled cheese for adults.  Crispy, golden brown, gooey, and delicious.

 

chicken salad recipe with yogurtChicken Salad Recipe with Greek Yogurt and Dried Currants

A twist on the standard chicken salad. This one has yogurt instead of mayo and sweet currants.

 

mixed greens egg potato chicken saladMixed Greens Egg Potato and Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

This is the “everything” salad. Toss in whatever veggies you like, hard boiled egg, chicken, and potatoes. It’s a full meal in one bowl.

 

chili citrus avocado chicken salad

Chili Citrus Avocado Chicken Salad

A great summer salad with leftover chicken, citrusy sweetness, and rich, smooth avocado.  The chicken comes with a kick, so it’s a festival of sweet/tangy/spicy flavors.

 

 




Belgian Potato Salade Liegoise

I confess I’d never heard of Belgian potato salade liegoise until recently.  It may make you think at first of French salade niçoise, but there’s no tuna or olives. And definitely no anchovies! Instead, this is a traditional Belgian warm potato salad made with green beans, and bacon! It’s all topped with a quick vinaigrette that takes only seconds to make.

Well, you’re supposed to use bacon, but I had none so I substituted kielbasa instead (which June, who wrote the original recipe said was just fine).

It’s an easy lunch or light dinner without a lot of fussing. Just the thing for this time of year when you need a bit of a break in between stuffing yourself for all the holidays.  The salad comes together in about twenty five minutes, which makes it perfect for a relatively quick meal. Serve it warm and eat it right away, or save it for another time and eat it cold. It’s good either way.

Plus, it only requires one pot! Yes!

I used frozen green beans, since that’s what I had, but you can use fresh as well. Just cook them a bit longer, just enough so they’re tender/crisp. You want them to retain a bit of crunch.

I confess I did think about getting fresher beans and the bacon, but I’d already been up and down twice that day and that was enough! Living in a walkup does make you think about how often you climb all those steps.




Belgian Potato Salade Liegoise Substitutions and Variations

  • saute the onions first and then add them to the salad
  • top with chopped walnuts
  • try different kinds of vinegar (such as sherry or raspberry)
  • swap the standard potatoes for red ones

More Potato Salad Recipes

dill caper potato saladDill Caper Potato Salad

Sour/sweet capers with lemony dill and a light hand on the dressing combine for an easy summer potato salad.

 

dijon mustard vinaigrette potato saladFrench Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette Potato Salad

Love starch, but not mayo in the usual potato salad? This version has no mayo at all. It does have olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.  Lots of flavor, no heavy eggy mayonnaise.

mixed greens egg potato chicken saladMixed Greens Egg Potato and Chicken Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

A hearty lunch (or light dinner) without a lot of fussing. Boil a potato and an egg, throw in some leftover chicken, and chop some veggies. Done!

 




Zucchini Carrot Fritters

Like starch? Like fried foods? Want to be a bit more healthy about eating them?  Think of these zucchini carrot fritters as “healthy veggie” potato pancakes. Except, instead of potatoes, this recipe uses zucchini (or yellow squash) and carrots (for vitamins!) and is topped with a yogurt mint dip instead of sour cream or applesauce.  You end up with tiny, crispy, slightly salty fritters which you can gobble down in two bites.

I got the recipe from the NY Times (which I would link to, except they now hide everything behind a paywall). I’ve cut it in half, to make it more suitable for one person. The recipe writer developed them for her picky daughter.  It was something she’d eat, and a semi-sneaky way to get in some veggies.

I confess this is a bit messier than usual, but they do taste good! And most people probably have a dishwasher and don’t fuss about cleanup as much as I do.




Zucchini Carrot Fritters Substitutions and Variations

  • try different combinations of vegetables, such as mashed up chickpeas, potatoes, or diced bell peppers
  • spice it up with some curry (and swap the mint for cucumber)
  • add a chopped scallion (which was supposed to be in there, but I blanked out!)
  • swap the coriander with basil
  • add some diced onion
  • add a few red pepper flakes to the batter
  • try panko instead of flour, for more crunch

More Vegetable Recipes

honey mustard glazed carrotsHoney Mustard Glazed Carrots for One

An easy side dish, great with roast chicken, roast beef, or lamb.  It’s both sweet and savory at the same time.

 

rosemary olive oil broiled eggplantRosemary Olive Oil Broiled Eggplant

Meltingly tender eggplant with a splash of olive oil, dusted with rosemary and grated cheese.

 

crispy garlic basil potato bitesCrispy Garlic Basil Potato Bites

Little bite size bits of potato heaven.  Fresh garlic and summery basil add flavor, aroma, and character to this easy side dish.

 

butternut squash brown sugar vanillaRoasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar and Vanilla

The veggie side dish that thinks it’s a dessert. You may want to eat this twice in a row.  Topped with nuts and craisins, and only slightly sweetened.  The squash provides all the “sugar” fix you need.

 




Quick and Easy Summer Pasta

This weekend is the unofficial start of summer here in the US, even though actual summer doesn’t start for another month.  This quick and easy summer pasta lives up to its name. It’s great for hot, sticky weather (which we always get plenty of here in NY).  The dish can be eaten hot or cold, and since there’s no mayonnaise, it’s perfect for picnics or traveling. And, it’s good either for a quick lunch or a light dinner.  Pairs beautifully with a cold glass of Chardonnay.

I’ve adapted this dish from a recipe for summer pasta in Jacques Pépin’s Fast Food My Way cookbook.The only thing you have to cook is the pasta. The rest is just a bit of chopping and maybe shredding or grating the cheese.  I’ve used parmesan, but put in anything you like that works. It could be mozzarella, or Fontina too.

He says to warm the veggies first, but I didn’t. I don’t like freshly cooked tomatoes; they taste odd to me (kind of like some people think coriander tastes like soap).  If you don’t have that issue, go right ahead and heat the veggies, for thirty seconds or so, in the microwave.

The original recipe called for zucchini, but having none, I went with some bell pepper instead. So, use whatever vegetables you like or have handy. For example,  use zucchini, carrots, some cooked eggplant, a handful of spinach, or a mixture of bell peppers (I love the mini ones). This is not baking, so exact ingredients and careful measuring aren’t crucial.

One more thing, as is, this is a light, easy meal. If you want to make it heartier, add some protein to make it more filling.




Quick and Easy Summer Pasta Substitutions and Variations

    • swap the pasta for some crusty bread (and transform it into panzanella)
    • add some green olives castelvetrano would work nicely)
    • toss in some diced Genoa salami
    • include some pre-cooked leftover chicken, cut in strips
    • add chunks of hard boiled egg

More Quick and Easy Summer Pasta Recipes

egg and pasta gratinEgg and Pasta Gratin with Chives

Crispy eggs, gooey cheese, and tender pasta combine for great comfort food. Perfect for a quick meal, or a light lunch.

 

spaghetti with green olives and lemon pankoSpaghetti with Green Olives and Lemon Panko

Welcome warm weather and wake up your taste buds with this light, zesty, earthy pasta dish. It’s ready in 30 minutes.

 

pistachio pasta pestoPistachio Pesto Pasta

This recipe is inspired by…a mystery. Seems Robert B. Parker liked to cook. So, he included this in one of his novels. Not the usual source for a recipe, but quite good, and a nice change from pricey pine nuts.

pasta alla norma with eggplantPasta alla Norma with Eggplant

Take advantage of summer veggies with this slightly spicy pasta dish. It’s got sweet tomatoes, creamy fork-tender eggplant, and a dash of red pepper flakes for a kick.

Eggs with Spinach and Chili Peppers

So here we are again with two major holidays on the same weekend.  And, they’re two holidays with entirely different food requirements!  One traditionally goes for brisket and matzo; the other gets lamb or ham. However, there are two common themes. The first one is eggs.  Lots and lots of eggs.  The second is everyone stuffs themselves silly at either one or two big dinners.  But, you still have to eat something in-between all of that. Eggs with spinach and chili peppers is just the thing. It’s quick, and easy to make. And, it’s not a big, heavy meal.  It’s essentially a sort of egg pancake or frittata, except with South Asian flavoring.

The other nice thing about this recipe, is it’s done in two stages, but you only need a single skillet to make it.  First you cook the veggies, garlic, and ginger, then add the eggs to the same pot.  Let those cook, and you’re done.  Add the yogurt (or not) to serve.  Depending on your affiliation, serve with toast, matzo, or just some fresh fruit. Or, you can cut it into strips and serve it rolled up inside a tortilla. If your chili is super hot, the sweetness in the fruit will also help reduce the burn from the pepper.

Oh, and a third thing. It’s ready in about 15 minutes.  So, if you’re hungry, and it’s late (as it was the first time I made this), you don’t have to wait long for a hot meal.

I adapted this from Madhur Jaffrey’s Quick and Easy Indian Cooking.  In addition to reducing the amounts, I replaced the coriander with spinach. I don’t particularly like fresh coriander and I know lots of other people don’t care for it either.  And, since my jalapeño pepper turned out to be really, really super hot, I added a dollop of Greek yogurt to cool it off, even though that wasn’t in the recipe.  I found I liked it better that way too.




 

 

Eggs with Spinach and Chili Pepper Substitutions and Variations

  •  use the coriander if you like it
  • add two or three sliced mushrooms to the vegetable mixture
  •  toss in 1/4 C diced canned tomatoes
  • if you’re not a spicy food fan, replace the chili with some bell pepper

 

More Egg Recipes

egg and tomato gratinEgg and Tomato Gratin for One Person

Fragrant with thyme, onions, and tomatoes, then topped with Swiss cheese. Perfect for a light meal (especially around big holidays).

 

cherry tomato basil frittataCherry Tomato Basil Frittata

Only four ingredients, ready in just a few minutes.  Just the thing when you want something fast.

 

fried egg burritoFried Egg Burrito

Great for breakfast, lunch, or brunch.  It’s flexible too: add mushrooms or bell peppers, change the cheese, top with chili garlic sauce, or leave it as is.  Delicious food without a lot of fuss.

egg chili cheese burritoEgg Chili Cheese Burrito

A tortilla, a couple of eggs, some chilis, and cheese: poof, it’s a meal! And since eggs cook quickly, you don’t have to wait long to eat.

 

 




Spaetzle Recipe Without a Spaetzle Maker

OK, two confessions. The first is that this spaetzle recipe is nearly identical to Tyler Florence’s spaetzle recipe.  Also, his version claims it’s six servings. I suppose that’s as a side dish. Or maybe it’s a typo. My second confession is that it was soooo good I ate the whole thing. All at once.

First of all, it was delicious! But that alone wouldn’t make it something I’d normally share, especially since I made so few changes. The important thing about this recipe isn’t that I adapted it or altered it. What I did do was figure out a way to make it without any special equipment.

I hate single use gadgets and while the recipe is really good, I wasn’t going to go out and buy a special spaetzle maker. Besides my dislike of one-use gadgets, there’s just no place to keep the thing. Tyler’s recipe, as well as many others, suggest using a slotted spoon or a cheese grater instead of the spaetzle machine. I tried both of those. They just didn’t work very well.

Then I had a brainstorm. The potato masher! It worked perfectly! Just hold it in one hand, scoop up some batter with a spoon in the other hand, and scrape the spoon back and forth over the masher (like you were grating cheese). Ta da!!!

You want the flat-bottomed sort of masher, with lots of holes, not the squiggly kind that looks like a bicycle rack.

There’s no brand name on the one I have, so I don’t know exactly what it is, but the masher on the top is the closest I could find. The holes on mine are rectangular, not round, but I think that will be OK, since real spaetzle maker holes are round. The key is that there’s a flat surface, with lots of holes in it.

I included the image below so you could see what it should look like.  That design will work fine.  The one on the bottom will mash potatoes, but will be useless for spaetzle.

flat potato masher
flat potato masher
squiggly potato masher
squiggly potato masher

 




Spaetzle Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • Serve with grated cheese, like Emmenthaler or Gruyère
  • Cook some onions until caramelized, add them to the spaetzle (with or without cheese)
  • Cut off small pieces of dough and flick them into a pot of simmering chicken soup or broth (like mini dumplings!)

More Pasta Recipes

white ragu papardelleWhite Ragu Pappardelle Pasta for One

Earthy porcini mushrooms, rich sausage and bee, white wine, and a touch of cream simmered gently and served with hearty fresh pasta.

 

butternut squash cream sauce pastaButternut Squash Cream Sauce Pasta

A welcome change from the usual tomato or cream pasta sauces. And nothing says fall like butternut squash.

 

smoked salmon pasta with tomato cream sauceSmoked Salmon Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

A silky smooth sauce with just a bit of cream, layered over pasta. It tastes decadent, but it isn’t.

 

pasta olives tomatoes capersPasta with Olives Tomatoes and Capers or Puttanesca

The name is a little risqué, but this pasta has nothing to be ashamed of.  The briny capers, salty olives, and sweet tomatoes meld together in your mouth. It’s spicy, zesty and takes very little time to prepare too.

 




Smoked Salmon Artichoke Salad

This super-easy smoked salmon artichoke salad requires absolutely no cooking. And it’s ready in about 10 minutes.  It not only looks good (check out all those beautiful colors: green, orange, pink, and red), but it’s got the zing of citrus, smoky, salty salmon and zesty marinated artichokes.  The balsamic dressing and the parmesan add a savory flavor. It’s a great combination because the bitter greens from the spinach play off against the sweet oranges, the salty parmesan, and the smoked fish.

It’s a great lunch just for yourself (especially if you’re hungry and in a hurry). Or, scale it up and serve it to company. It’s elegant enough for a party if you’re having one.

I got the idea from someone who serves bite-size individual smoked salmon salad servings (with blood oranges) as a fancy appetizer for her catering clients.

Since we’re not catering, or necessarily fancy, this version will just cut everything up and serve it all together in a single bowl.  You can use blood oranges if you like. I went with the regular navel oranges, since they seem to be particularly good this year.

I also used smoked salmon bits (which my grocery store sells for less than the carefully sliced kind).  Look for it in your local store, and save a bit of money.  Lastly,  I substituted spinach for arugula, since I prefer it, and it’s more readily available.




Smoked Salmon Artichoke Salad Substitutions and Variations

  • Get fancy and use the blood oranges, or try Cara Cara oranges
  • If you like arugula use that or lambs lettuce or even kale (you want a bitter green for this so it contrasts with the sweet and salty flavors)
  • Top the salad with some mint or other “sweet” herbs
  • Try it with other smoked fish, like smoked trout

More Smoked Salmon and Artichoke Recipes

smoked salmon pasta with tomato cream sauceSmoked Salmon Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

A little bit of cream for richness, and smoky, salty salmon for lots of flavor.  It’s elegant, easy to prepare, and good enough for company.

 

pasta with tomato artichoke saucePasta with Tomato Artichoke Sauce Recipe

A rich tomato sauce, thickened with spicy crushed red pepper and savory oregano. Satisfying and filling, without any meat.

 

egg and pasta gratinEgg and Pasta Gratin with Chives

I know, I’m internet recipe changing my own recipe. However, some smoked salmon will make this even better and add a touch of salty smoky goodness.   Or simply add some of the smoked salmon to scrambled eggs (cook the eggs, then toss in the salmon for a few seconds, to heat it up)