For one person: meal planning

[ccain0730]

So my husband is going to be heading out soon for a 7.5 month deployment. Just wanted to see how helpful meal planning is and if anyone has any advice for cooking for one person and not being wasteful. Thanks everyone!

[duonyte]

I like to cook lesser amounts - even if you freeze leftovers, they are leftovers. Unless they can really be repurposed. Some is ok, but too much gets depressing.

I have a cookbook of recipes that are small quantity or that are readily reduced to one or two servings (i.e., the recipe calls for 4 fillets, for example, rather than for a roast). Perhaps it will give you a start, Two by Two

[Charmie777]

Thanks Duo, great advice!!!

[SarasotaCook]

I may be late to answering this ...

I'm just the opposite. It is just me most often; but I plan a full meal most nights. And leftovers are only boring if you let them be boring, IMO.

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I just cooked a whole chicken. Made 5 pot pies (normally I would make 3, using a smaller chicken; but I got a huge one cheap; so 2 are for a friend. Freeze and reheat. A great dinner already.

I also have 3 bags of chicken cut up from this same chicken
1) One night, quesadillas; add some peppers, onions, or mushrooms and cheese; throw in some black beans on side and dinner.
2) The other chicken I'll add to a wild rice soup; and have soup and a sandwich for dinner
3) And, the last bag; either chicken salad on a bed of lettuce; or, a BBQ chicken sandwich with slaw; and onion rings

Pork ... tenderloin. Easy and quick. Leftovers make
1) pork fried rice 2) BBQ sandwich 3) tacos or wrap sandwiches 4) shepherds pie

Cooking for 1 or 2 is always twice as cooking for 4; you just need to get creative, plan, and think ahead.

A beef roast can be made into stew, soups, calzones or meat pies; also quesadillas, hot sandwiches like a phili cheese steak with melted cheese; Shepherds pie, pot pie, etc. Endless. Stir fry, pasta dishes, etc.

You just make sure to MARK your freezer bags and check them often.

I cook a ham every 2-3 months. I eat it one night and bag the rest. Scalloped potatoes, ham salad, grilled ham and cheese, mac and cheese, pasta with peas and ham w/fontina cheese; quiche, fritatta; sandwiches, etc.

I do the same with turkey. Soup, cream of turkey, tettrazzini, salads, open face turkey sandwich, cold cranberry and turkey sandwich; of course the basic turkey and stuffing
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But plan ...

If I make a roast, I try to make sure that I plan 2 or 3 meals to use that up within the next month. Plan ahead, and think what you can make

Like my leftover chicken I didn't use to make my pot pies; I only used the white meat. The leftover chicken will make a great chicken salad, but a lighter dinner; or make some for a light lunch with crackers. Or make a wrap sandwich for lunch or dinner. How about easy creamed turkey; or tacos. You could even through it in a soup if you wanted. That is NOT bad leftover if you ask me.

Or, serve over mashed spuds, add some gravy and broccoli for a simple dinner.
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Tomorrow I have company. I am grilling steak for dinner. I'm making extra. I should have enough for 2 nights. I am making a open face steak sandwich with swiss and sauteed mushrooms; potato salad on the side.
For the second dish. Steak and eggs. I'll grill up some onions and peppers; and top with a grilled egg; and maybe roasted potatoes on the side. Or hash. Nothing wrong with breakfast for dinner in my book.

SO, PLAN AHEAD; AND LEFTOVER DON'T HAVE TO BE JUST LEFTOVERS.
Think ahead and mark your bags. And most of all, check weekly to see what you have. And use at least 2 leftovers each week

FYI ... the last 3 weeks, I have spent NO more than 20 per week for food. Now, that doesn't include, cat food, wine, soda, milk, cheese, eggs; etc. But, I have really only been buying cheese, milk, vegetables, and fruit. And with what a spend, I usually am putting 3-4 dinners in the freezer as well for another time.