"There’s nothing worse than cooking an elaborate dinner just to be left with enough leftovers to fill your entire fridge. Sure, it’s great for lunch the next day, but after several days of eating the same meal in an effort not to waste food, it gets old. Personally, I need variety in my meals, or I end up dreading dinner and, more often than not, impulsively ordering takeout instead. The best way to avoid this is to cook only what you’ll actually eat, so you’re not drowning in leftovers. But finding dinner recipes for two isn’t as easy as it seems. It feels like every recipe is meant to feed an entire basketball team instead of a duo. So, whether you’re cooking for yourself and a significant other, roommate, or other loved one, I’ve rounded up 15 easy dinner recipes for two that are perfectly portioned for sharing.
1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
This easy recipe takes just 35 minutes and uses only one pan, simplifying your entire dinner process. The chicken is coated with Greek yogurt and fajita seasoning before baking, making it super tender and flavorful when it comes out of the oven. Once your chicken and veggies are cooked, simply load up your tortillas and dig in!
2. Chili Garlic Noodles
This Asian-inspired noodle recipe is easy to throw together on busy weeknights. Requiring just over 20 minutes to make, it’s a tasty way to use up leftover veggies you have in your fridge, and the portion size is perfect for two.
3. Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
This sun-dried tomato and arugula lentil salad is my go-to when the weather starts to warm up. With protein-packed lentils, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a zesty turmeric ginger dressing, it’s a flavorful, filling salad.
4. Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
This lasagna roll-ups recipe creates a smaller batch, so you can enjoy the comforting flavors of lasagna without needing to find space in your freezer for leftovers. They’re cheesy, delicious, and perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal.
5. Salmon Taco Bowls
Emily Mariko’s TikTok page first introduced me to salmon bowls years ago, and since then, I’ve tried every variation, with this one being a standout. It features taco-seasoned salmon, savory sofrito rice, and a mix of fresh toppings that bring it all together.
6. Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables
This recipe makes cooking a breeze by using shelf-stable gnocchi that doesn’t require pre-cooking. Simply toss the gnocchi with veggies on a sheet pan, bake, and you’re done—easy, delicious, and minimal cleanup.
7. Sausage and Peppers
Sheet pan sausage and peppers is a true weeknight dinner hero that’s easy, healthy, and versatile. While this recipe lets you adjust the serving size to suit your needs (simply click on the number of servings and adjust the slider accordingly), any leftovers are easy to reinvent into new meals. Try it over rice or pasta or between a toasted bun for a tasty sandwich.
8. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Chicken lettuce wraps are a regular takeout order for me, but now that I know how simple they are to make at home, I’ve put my DoorDash habit on hold. They’re perfect as either an appetizer or entrée, and while the default recipe serves four, it’s easy to adjust the portion for just two.
9. Ginger Bone Broth Noodle Bowl
I love a cozy soup year-round, but if spring allergies are dragging you down, this recipe is a true cure-all. Packed with nutrients from the veggies and bone broth, it’s not only soothing but also incredibly flavorful.
10. Green Goddess Bowls
These green goddess bowls are so satisfying that even the adjusted servings might leave you wanting more. The dressing is absolutely divine, and I make these bowls on repeat for a fresh and healthy meal.
11. Peanut Chicken Stir Fry
This peanut chicken stir fry recipe technically serves four, but as a stir fry fan, I can vouch that it’s easy to devour more than one serving. You can enjoy it on its own to take care of any leftovers right off the bat or pair it with rice or noodles for an even heartier meal.
12. Spicy Maple Glazed Salmon
This spicy maple glazed salmon is quick to make, taking just 20 minutes with a handful of ingredients. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed in a bowl, on a salad, or with a side of rice for a complete meal.
13. Strawberry and Mango Salsa Chicken
The bright, fresh flavors of this dish will have you craving warmer weather. The lean chicken breasts paired with a sweet, fruity salsa strike the perfect balance, and the recipe allows you to easily adjust it to serve just two.
14. Vegetarian Pad Thai
This vegetarian pad thai is made with zoodles for a healthy, quick dinner that’s ready in only 30 minutes. It’s bursting with flavorful, nutrient-dense ingredients that create a satisfying meal in no time.
15. Tomato Boursin Pasta
This recipe is incredibly easy, relying on store-bought Boursin cheese to create a deliciously creamy sauce, and once you taste it, you’ll want to make it again and again. The default serving size for this recipe is six, so be sure to adjust it down to two to avoid leftovers.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.