Easy Potato Meals for One Person

Cooking for one has its challenges, and as someone who lives alone, I know all too well that it can be tough to stay motivated enough to make proper meals. Especially meals that are easy, nutritious and don’t require weird, trendy ingredients you’ll use once before they expire in the fridge!

Potatoes fit the bill perfectly here. They’re cheap, filling and easy to scale down. One spud can become a proper meal with the right topping, filling or side.

Here come seven easy potato meals for one person, from a loaded baked potato to crispy potato hash, a simple small-batch soup, wedges, mash bowl, skillet potatoes, and a warm potato salad.

1. Crispy Potato Hash with Egg

A crispy potato hash is one of the easiest ways to turn one potato into a proper meal. Add an egg, a little onion, and whatever extras you have, and you have breakfast, brunch, or a lazy dinner all in one pan.

Serves: 1
Time: 25 minutes
Best for: Breakfast, brunch, easy dinner
Uses: 1 medium potato

Ingredients

• 2 medium potatoes, diced small
• 1 to 2 eggs, as you like
• 1 small onion or some spring onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon oil or butter
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: grated cheese, chopped parsley, chilli flakes, leftover ham or bacon

Method

1. Dice the potato into small cubes so it cooks quickly.
2. Heat the oil or butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
3. Add the potato cubes and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the onion, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the potato is golden and tender.
6. Make a small space in the pan and crack in the egg(s).
7. Cover the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, or cook uncovered if you prefer crispier egg.
8. Serve straight from the pan to plate.

Easy variations

You can easily switch up this recipe by adding some peas or spinach towards the end of cooking, or sprinkling cheese over the potatoes so it melts in. Toppings like hot sauce, ketchup, yoghurt or sour cream also all pair well with this wholesome dish.

2. Loaded Baked Potato with Beans and Cheese

A loaded baked potato is probably one of the best potato meals for one person because it already comes portioned. One large potato, a warm topping, and a little cheese or yoghurt are enough for a filling lunch or dinner.

Serves: 1
Time: 10 minutes active, 45 to 60 minutes baking
Best for: Easy dinner, work-from-home lunch
Uses: 1 large potato

Ingredients

• 1 large baking potato
• ¾ cup baked beans, kidney beans, black beans, or white beans
• 3 tablespoons grated cheese
• 1-2 tablespoon yoghurt, sour cream, or crème fraîche
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: spring onion, chilli flakes, sweetcorn, salsa, chopped herbs

Method

1. Heat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
2. Scrub the potato and prick it a few times with a fork.
3. For crispier skin, rub it with a little oil and salt.
4. Place it directly on the oven rack or on a baking tray. (You don’t need to wrap it in aluminum foil unless you prefer a softer skin.)
5. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on size, until the inside is soft.
6. Warm the beans in a small pan or microwave.
7. Slice the potato open and fluff the inside with a fork.
8. Add salt, pepper, beans, cheese, and yoghurt or sour cream.
9. Finish with spring onion, herbs, or chilli flakes.

Faster version

Microwave the potato for 6 to 9 minutes first, then finish it in the oven or air fryer for 10 minutes if you want a better skin.

3. Small-Batch Potato Soup

This small-batch potato soup makes one generous bowl and doesn’t even require a blender. Mash some of the potato directly in the pan for a creamy texture, then add milk or cream, cheese, herbs, or croutons.

Serves: 1 generous bowl
Time: 25 minutes
Best for: Cold days, cheap lunch, using up one potato
Uses: 2 medium or 1 large potato

Ingredients

• 2 medium or 1 large potato, peeled or unpeeled as desired, diced
• ½ small onion, chopped
• 1 small carrot, chopped, optional
• 1 teaspoon butter or oil
• 1½ cup vegetable or chicken stock
• ¼ to ⅓ cup milk, cream, or half-and-half
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: grated cheese, parsley, croutons, cooked bacon, spring onion

Method

1. Heat the butter or oil in a small saucepan.
2. Add the onion and carrot, if using, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the diced potato and stock.
4. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potato is soft.
5. Mash some of the potato directly in the pan with a fork or potato masher.
6. Stir in the milk or cream.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve with herbs, cheese, croutons, bacon, or spring onion.

Easy variations

Use leek instead of onion, add frozen peas near the end, or stir in grated cheddar for a cheesy potato soup.

4. Potato Wedges with Yoghurt Dip

Potato wedges are low-effort and very solo-friendly because you can make exactly as many as you want. Add a quick yoghurt dip and a few raw vegetables on the side, and it becomes more of a meal rather than just a snack!

Serves: 1
Time: 35 to 40 minutes
Best for: Low-effort dinner, snack plate, film night
Uses: 1 large potato or 2 small potatoes

Ingredients

For the wedges:

• 1 large potato or 2 smaller potatoes
• 1½ tablespoon oil
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
• Salt and pepper

For the yoghurt dip:

• 4 tablespoons plain yoghurt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
• ½ teaspoon mustard, optional
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: chopped herbs, garlic, chilli flakes

Method

1. Heat the oven to 220°C/430°F.
2. Cut the potato into wedges.
3. Toss with oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread the wedges on a baking tray in one layer.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once halfway through.
6. Mix the yoghurt dip ingredients in a small bowl.
7. Serve the wedges hot with the dip.

Easy variations

Add grated parmesan in the last 5 minutes, use curry powder instead of paprika, or serve the wedges with a fried egg (also makes a great breakfast!).

5. Mashed Potato Bowl with Greens

A mashed potato bowl turns mash into a full meal instead of a side dish. This version adds greens directly to the potatoes, so you don’t need to cook a separate vegetable.

Serves: 1
Time: 25 minutes
Best for: Comfort food, quick dinner
Uses: 1 large potato or 2 small potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 large potato or 2 medium potatoes, peeled or unpeeled
• 1 teaspoon butter or olive oil
• 2-3 tablespoons milk, cream, or oat milk
• 1 handful spinach, kale, peas, cabbage, or broccoli
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: grated cheese, fried egg, spring onion, mustard, herbs

Method

1. Cut the potato into chunks.
2. Boil in salted water for 12 to 15 minutes, until soft.
3. Add the greens during the last 2 to 4 minutes, depending on what you’re using.
4. Drain well.
5. Mash the potato and greens with butter or olive oil and a little milk.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Add cheese, a fried egg, spring onion, or mustard if you want more flavour.

Easy variations

Use peas and mint, spinach and cheese, cabbage and mustard, or even leftover roasted vegetables.

6. Potato and Chickpea Skillet

Got a little can of chickpeas hanging out in your cupboard? This easy potato and chickpea skillet is a good pantry meal for one. The potato makes it comforting, the chickpeas make it super filling, and the spices keep it from tasting like emergency food. Win-win-win!

Serves: 1
Time: 30 minutes
Best for: Pantry dinner, meat-free meal
Uses: 2 medium potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 medium potatoes, diced small
• ¾ cup canned chickpeas, drained
• ½ small onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon oil
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: spinach, yoghurt, lemon juice, chopped herbs, chilli flakes

Method

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add the diced potato and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the onion and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Add the chickpeas, cumin or curry powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the chickpeas are lightly golden.
6. Add spinach at the end if using.
7. Serve with yoghurt, lemon juice, herbs, or chilli flakes.

Easy variations

Add tomato paste with the spices, stir in frozen peas, serve with a fried egg, or add feta cheese.

7. Warm Potato Salad with Tuna or Egg

This warm potato salad is quick, filling, and much more meal-like than a cold side salad. If you don’t like tuna fish, you can substitute with a boiled egg.

Serves: 1
Time: 25 minutes
Best for: Lunch, light dinner, using up boiled potatoes
Uses: 1 large potato or 2 small potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 large potato or 2 medium potatoes
• ½ can tuna or 1 boiled egg
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: chopped pickles, capers, spring onion, cucumber, parsley, rocket

Method

1. Cut the potato into chunks.
2. Boil in salted water for 12 to 15 minutes, until tender.
3. While the potato cooks, mix mustard, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Drain the potato and add it to the dressing while still warm.
5. Add tuna or a boiled egg.
6. Add pickles, spring onion, cucumber, herbs, or salad leaves if using.
7. Eat warm or at room temperature.

Easy variations

Use white beans instead of tuna or egg, add chopped apple for crunch, or make the dressing creamier with a spoonful of yoghurt.

What to keep on hand for easy potato meals for one

You don’t need a huge pantry to make potatoes useful. A few basics will give you plenty of one-person meal options.

Good staples to keep around:

• Eggs
• Canned beans and chickpeas
• Canned tuna
• Plain yoghurt
• Cheese
• Onions or spring onions
• Frozen peas or spinach
• Mustard
• Pickles
• Lemon juice or vinegar

With those ingredients, one potato can turn into breakfast, soup, salad, wedges, mash, or a proper skillet dinner.

How many potatoes do you need for one person?

For most solo meals, use:

• 1 medium potato for hash, soup, or skillet meals
• 1 large potato for a loaded baked potato
• 2 small potatoes for wedges, mash, or warm potato salad

If the potato is the main part of the meal, try to add some protein and vegetables so it feels complete and keeps you satiated. I found a handy potatoes-per-person calculator when writing this post that you might also find useful!

Potatoes are one of the easiest ingredients to cook for one person because they scale naturally. You don’t need a full recipe batch, a complicated shopping list, or have to deal with a week of leftovers. Start with one potato, add one protein, add one flavour booster, and you have a simple meal.