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When my kids were growing up and the grandkids lived a few miles away, there were many times that I was cooking for a crowd—and I loved it. Fast forward a couple of years, and with my daughter’s family moving several hours away and our son finishing college and purchasing his own home, I found myself navigating a new reality as empty nesters in the kitchen. Suddenly, I was left looking at a ridiculous amount of leftovers after every meal. Cooking for just us became an emotional challenge, and I began to lose the enjoyment of preparing meals, which made it far too easy to fall back on a limited menu. I needed to figure out how to cook in this new season of life, and to celebrate cooking for two.
In This Post
1. Plan Ahead & Make Your Grocery List
Planning looks different when cooking for two, but it still needs to happen. It’s far too easy to not plan, then look in the fridge and pantry and declare there’s ‘nothing to eat.’ Create a plan, not just for dinner, but for breakfast and lunch as well. One meal planning service that both Amanda and I have used is eMeals (not affiliate). It is reasonably priced and has a great variety of dietary options.
2. Calculate Portions
Prepare meals that serve the number of people you are cooking for. Even when cooking just for myself, I often double it for leftovers. I consider my husband’s appetite as I decide portions as well.
3. Consider Meal Kits
I haven’t personally tried any of the many meal kits available, but I can see that they could be a godsend during certain seasons. If you are caring for someone long-term, in the middle of moving (some offer prepared meals that just need to be warmed up!), or just in a particularly busy season, meal kits can be very helpful. HelloFresh, Home Chef, and Dinnerly are great choices for those who becoming empty nesters in the kitchen and do not need to feed a large family every evening.
4. Batch Cooking
Yes—you can still batch cook! Just start with smaller overall portions. I love batch cooking a protein at the beginning of the week and having a plan to use it over the next few days. For example, batch cook ground beef or turkey, then use it for skillet pasta, tacos, and burger bowls. Label and freeze leftovers for days you don’t have something planned.
5. Balanced Healthy Meals
This is the area I struggled with the most and still find myself needing to re-commit to. Learning to build my plate for different nutrition goals is an important part of meal planning. Check out this great e-book called Meals Made Simple from Madeline Moves. It’s an 8 week recipe guide created by a registered nutritionist and the meals are easy. I have been utilizing her fitness and nutrition resources for years and still enjoy them!
6. Shop Smart
Buy staples like rice, pasta, or canned goods in bulk, but make the switch to purchasing fresh foods in quantities you can use before they go bad. Frozen veggies are a great option, as you can use a portion and save the rest.
7. Special Occasions
When I was cooking for a larger gathering, every meal felt like a special occasion. This was, and still is, a big mindset shift for me. It’s too easy to look at holiday or special occasion recipes and think, “Wow—I would do this if the grandkids were here.” Now, I am learning that smaller celebrations are okay, and dinner date nights can be fun and meaningful!
8. Treats!
Love making desserts? That’s a tricky one when you’re cooking for one or two. Look for recipes that can be divided into two serving dishes, freeze some of that cookie dough, or think of someone you could share a wonderful treat with. You will make their day!
9. Experiment with New Recipes
Cooking for one or two is a great opportunity to try new recipes without the pressure of pleasing a crowd. Explore different cuisines, experiment with new ingredients, and have fun in the kitchen. This can reignite your passion for cooking and add some excitement to your meals.
10. Leftover Makeovers
Don’t let leftovers become boring. Get creative with how you use them. Leftover roasted vegetables can be turned into a frittata, or extra chicken can be used in a hearty soup. Think of leftovers as a starting point for a new, tasty meal.
Meal Ideas for Cooking for Two
Cooking for two doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive. Here are some delicious and easy meal ideas that are great for two people. Click on the links for full recipes:
Chicken Parmesan for Two:
- Recipe: Chicken Parmesan (Tastes Better From Scratch)
Pan-Seared Steak:
Lemon Herb Shrimp:
- Recipe: Lemon Herb Shrimp (Tastes Better From Scratch)
Stuffed Bell Peppers:
- Recipe: Stuffed Bell Peppers (Tastes Better From Scratch)
Vegetarian Stir-Fry:
- Recipe: Vegetarian Stir-Fry (foodiecrush)
Pasta Primavera for Two:
- Recipe: Pasta Primavera
Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill:
- Recipe: Baked Salmon
Chicken Marsala for Two:
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms:
Shrimp Scampi for Two:
While we all look forward to large family gatherings around the dinner table, these tips aim to make becoming empty nesters in the kitchen more enjoyable and efficient! Embrace this new season of life with delicious meals and the joy of cooking!