I am done, done I say with any Stouffers frozen dinners.

[FarPoint]

I bought a few back up meals for when I get home late from work....bought the Stouffers Lasagna single.....I heated it up last night....OH crap...it was awful...cheap too. Just lasagna noodle layers x 2, a little cheese and tomato meat sauce....no ricotta layer or white sauce...skimpy with the cheap mozzarella....it was a small serving too....

I can do much better just to quickly make some spaghetti and meat sauce myself....much more cost effective as well....definitely tasty....

I am focused now on just preparing my own meals....cooking and freezing them....soups are good too...from scratch...

Since my husband died a year ago and kids have moved out of state....cooking is a challenge for one person....Well, I can easily adapt...just need to do it.

[Mike Nelson]

1. They are off...

... my shopping list, too. Years ago, it seemed Stouffers tasted better. They smell and taste different... bad... I wondered if the company started making them cheaper.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. Here's your answer as to what happened: Parent organization: Nestle

[FarPoint]

12. Yes.....I looked it up....thought it was a recent sale....but...

Nestles bought Stouffers in 1973.....and they were good for years....Today...they are just ultra cheap and selling frozen meals on their long standing reputation I believe...

[FarPoint]

6. My opinion is they went ultra cheap....

Just quick and lazy preparation...

[PatSeg]

26. Yes, I remember when Stouffers

was one of the better brands. It is disappointing that the quality of their food has diminished so much. I remember eating at Stouffer's restaurants in Chicago when I was young. Their food was excellent.

[mwb970]

43. I grew up in the Cleveland area. Stouffer's was a special place to go.

[PatSeg]

89. Yes, same for me

I always associated the name with quality.

[2naSalit]

2. Preparing your own food...

Will help you feel better too. I have a few regular meals that are easy and cheap, take 30 - 45 minutes from start to finish and I rotate them. Then I have freezer food that are portions of larger meals that I make when I feel like cooking.

Food is good medicine.

[FarPoint]

3. I love to cook actually...

I'm pretty good too...My son is a Chef...he graduated from New England Culinary Instutute in Vermont with a Bachelors Degree, finished in France....is Executive Chef in Edmonton Alberta Canada...we always cooked at home and had a garden, always made our own pizza, cakes from scratch...etc......live in Ohio....

Family downsizing has been an adjustment with my cooking style...I know I can do it...not as exciting but still the food quality is essential.

I just can't tolerate the piss-poor quality of expensive frozen meals...

It's good to hear that others have had an undesirable experience with frozen meals/store bought....now I know I'm not being overly judgemental...

[multigraincracker]

10. I've been single most of my adult life.

Kind of hard cooking for one. Now I love cooking for my bride and myself.

[2naSalit]

15. You have...

Far more experience with food prep than I!!

I have my spells when I feel the need to do something different with my diet.

Went through a spell where I was eating frozen dinners, they were so bad that I decided I should just cook my own food. I was having digestion problems where I would not be hungry for hours then suddenly I had to eat or be totally turned off by food and that usually happened before I could finish preparing something. So I got frozen dinners, or at least tried some. There's only a couple I would bother with at this point. Those are Zatarain's blackened chicken alfredo; Angelo's has a few Italian selections with good marinara sauce, stay away from the shrimp scampi; and those Kevin's frozen things - like Thai chicken - at Costco is really good. I would buy any of those as a "quickie" kind of 5 minute food. I seem to be able to cook more now that I bought that countertop convection oven, changed the dynamic enough to inspire me again.

You're right, though, just have to do it, that's all.

[FarPoint]

56. Adjusting to just one person meal prep is difficult....

I always was the one to prepare the difficult meals or expensive meat meals like Beef Tenderloin....I liked the challenge...plus, did home canning, gardening veggies and making fresh bread, biscuits...etc...I have all the great cookware too...LeCreuset, All Clad...I have more than what one needs..Hahahaha

Now, I can't eat all that I know how to cook for 4-6 people! I give a lot away too...what I cook...which is always appreciated.

Freezer is to be my friend I believe....

[Sky Jewels]

45. My husband and I sometimes cook separate meals. (I don't eat any meat; he eats poultry and seafood.)

I find that soups are the greatest thing ever. Make a big pot, freeze some, keep some in the frig for easy meals throughout the week. Soups are delicious and satisfying and hard to mess up. They're healthy if made from scratch. They're economical and help you avoid waste because you can toss in veggies that are on the verge of going bad, and dunk in bread that's on the verge of going stale. They're also a great way to use beans, which are an inexpensive and tasty and versatile protein.

[Trueblue Texan]

78. It's not only store bought meals...

Since the pandemic, we rarely go out to eat. But last night, we thought we'd try a Mexican restaurant we've been curious about. We've both been eating vegan lately so we ordered veggie fajitas with no dairy. The food came out with barely any seasoning. I swear it was like they steamed the veggies, lightly shook some taco seasoning out of a McCormick envelope and sent it out like that. And this is from a restaurant with high reviews in the community.

Eating out is just not worth it anymore--and everything is overpriced. My husband and I enjoy bean burritos from Taco Bell more than we did our meal last night. Not exaggerating.

[spooky3]

77. Probably fewer preservatives, too. Nt

[2naSalit]

94. No question about that.

Home cooked food is usually much healthier in every way.

I was told, decades ago, that preparing food is a sacred act, eating is another. Both should be observed as such.

I have carried that with me since my teens and it has helped me in food selection ever since. A part of me cringes when I buy frozen meal already prepared.

[magicarpet]

5. Industro highly processed foods are not a healthy source of sustenance.

They load stuff up with salt, sugar, and chemicals. You are much better off making it yourself. Then you know what goes into your food and much cheaper for you too and way more tasty.

[birdographer]

41. This was my first thought

Processed food is terrible for you, and frozen processed meals are among the worst. Barely food. As far as I can tell, this does not extend to frozen vegetables that are nothing but the vegetables themselves--peas, carrots, etc.

[Sky Jewels]

48. Some "pure" frozen veggies and fruits are actually healthier than fresh

because if they're frozen at their peak, they retain more nutrients.

[ramblin_dave]

7. Michael Angelo's brand is much better

Available in single serving size, although I usually make two meals from it. Best when cooked in the oven rather than microwave.

[True Dough]

27. I find the problem with Michael Angelo

is it leaves a splatter all over the ceiling of the microwave.

[erronis]

31. We cover all of our microwave meals with a nice silicone cap

https://www.bustle.com/life/best-microwave-covers

[LearnedHand]

55. My mom used to troll thrift stores

And buy orphaned glass lids to use in the microwave. Pretty brilliant!

[EmmaLee E]

50. A paper napkin on top of tomato sauce

Prevents lots of splatter.

[fernlady]

63. isn't it frustrating

...when no one gets your lovely joke?

[erronis]

73. Thanks! I'm one of those that needed go back and look. Good one!

[True Dough]

86. I appreciate you, fernlady!

Was wondering if, yet again, my feeble humor would be lost.




Glad you're here!

[Mr.Bill]

99. It took me a second or two

but I got it, which is rare for me.

[PatSeg]

28. I just discovered Michael Angelo's recently

And the quality and taste were excellent.

Cooking for one person is very difficult. I often do not have the motivation or energy due to health issues. I still rely on frozen entrees two or three times a week.

[MyMission]

92. Beware of the sodium levels

I've enjoyed Michael Angelo's over the years, but recently noted that the sodium levels were higher than they used to be. I was surprised. I sometimes rely on frozen meals and look at the sodium before I buy. My guideline is I don't by anything that has more than 31% daily sodium unless I plan to eat less. Too many brands have 40% to 50% sodium for one serving, which is too much for me.
I did find a few of their options still have less sodium, so I can still enjoy those.

[PatSeg]

95. Yes, I have to watch my sodium levels

It is upsetting when they put far more sodium in something than necessary. People can add more if they want to, but you can't take it out. Awhile back, I ate one small entree that I've bought many times and it was so salty, I couldn't finish it. I don't know if they increased the sodium or if my taste has changed.

I'm on medication and I check my weight every morning. After several weeks, there has been no increase in water weight, so I'm pretty happy.

[tavernier]

8. I'll give you another good suggestion...

Go out it together with girlfriends on separate checks. Restaurant portions are usually huge and I can get two more meals out of what I take home, including salad and rolls in some cases. And the laughs and companionship are free.

[FarPoint]

16. Excellent suggestion....

I will focus on more socialization...beyond my work exposure...

[tavernier]

24. I've been in your shoes.

Family, friendships, dinners out with laughter and wine were life savers. I always miss my hubby, but dinners out for two were way more expensive than they are now for just me.

[niyad]

29. Also on the going out part, check the websites for your favourite

restaurants, and see if they have loyalty programs. For some in my area, one gets a free meal for signing up, and for one's birthday. Others have various specials. They make for nice little treats.

[hlthe2b]

9. Instant Pot yields a week's worth of frozen meals, but I did glance at the frozen meals last week

The store had a "deal" on the individual Stouffer's for $2.50 each--that is ALL but the frozen fish with a side of macaroni (I think) which was $5.99! Not a "family-sized" entree, but an individual with a 3x3 inch breaded fish square and 2 cents worth of macaroni. So, when all the other meals--even those with beef or chicken were $2.50, why would this low-quality fish meal be $5.99? Can't help but be curious... Is something going on with the whitefish industry?

[FarPoint]

20. I have an InstaPot....

I use it for a few things,,,,,corn on the cob, egg bytes, spare ribs....I watch the YouTube video series by " Mindful Mom"....she does a lot of InstaPot clips...good instruction too.

[kiri]

38. $2.50 you say?

I am amazed anything can be sold for $2.99. By the time the factory buys the ingredients, processes them, pays employees, packages them (awful packaging rich in glue, poor in user friendly), pays for electricity to freeze it, loads it into a refrigerated truck and drives it 200 miles (pay for diesel and driver) to a supermarket, gets unloaded and put on a shelf (along with 34,000 other items in a typical supermarket) at ,say, $2.70, so the SM can make a profit when it sells it (after paying for its own freezer's electricity, rental space, and the stocking clerk and cashier).

Stauffers must get about $2 FOB, which includes some profit for them.

[hlthe2b]

39. Loss Leader to get shoppers to buy more frozen foods. They do that occasionally, but why the $5.99 fish?

The regular price is $3.99 for the entrees except $6.99 for the 7 oz frozen breaded 3x3 fish.

No matter--even on sale they sort of suck--highly processed, full of sodium.

I'll stick with my Instant Pot soups, stews, and the occasional stir fry. Along with my homemade yogurt, I can eat a whole lot more healthy.

[SARose]

44. Lent

They have another week and magically the price will be reduced.

[Chipper Chat]

11. Tip for STEWfers lasagna.

Add a layer of paul newman's marinara sauce and top with some vegetable seasoning be4 you put it in the oven. it really helps.

[Marthe48]

13. I'm on my own too, not easy

I usually cook enough for 2 or 3 days, so I don't have to cook every day. (and boy, it better be something I like!) Maybe you could do a 1/2 pan of lasagna and freeze some of it. Or do lasagna rollups (basically putting the ingredients on a single noodle, rolling it up, laying in the pan so the layers are visible, or even giant shells, stuffed with the same ingredients.

I used to get the frozen entrees, but stopped when I got on a low carb plan. Hope you find a solution

Sorry to hear of your loss and I hope you are getting along okay.

[FarPoint]

17. Ohhh yes...lasagna roll-ups

Excellent way to adapt good eats...

[qwlauren35]

14. You are not alone.

Many, many people struggle with this. And so, there are cookbooks to help people do single portion cooking. Google is your friend. I don't know how you feel about cookbooks; some people don't like them.

If you are not leftover adverse, go ahead and make a full sized batch, invest in small quart sized freezer plastic containers and divvy it up. If it's my favorite food, I can eat leftovers for 4 days straight. Stir-fry, chili, beef and macaroni.

Now, if you go to a good grocery store, they have meats in one-meal sized portions. Not so easy to do lasagna, but probably if you cook it al dente, that should work for a small sized lasagna. A small loaf pan should get you down to two portions. They have small cans of tomato sauce that you can "spike" to your liking. And cheese may freeze - not sure.

But the bottom line - you are not alone. And there are all kinds of accommodations being made, because businesses have recognized that there's a market. And when you figure it out, your taste buds will thank you.

Sending hugs!

[FarPoint]

18. Ahhhh that is so precious....

excellent feedback and it is logical too!

[Unwind Your Mind]

80. May I suggest

Pyrex makes smallish rectangular glass dishes with lids (maybe 4” x 6”)

Perfect for freezing single portions, then once thawed can go in the oven

I’m plastic adverse and these are great

[ificandream]

19. It's so much cheaper and healthier to make your own meals.

When I moved out out of my folks' house way back when I didn't know how to cook. Not even a little. I learned quickly.

[woodsprite]

21. I buy their meatloaf/potatoes or their burger/mac&cheese for one

I use those for lunches on gym days. I know the potatoes or mac/cheese with the protein is a good balance to not spike my glucose.

[a kennedy]

22. Since my husband has not been able to cook, which he did for 42 years.......i've just

become the microwave oven queen. I’m sure I’m gonna die of the micro waves. Ugh…… I watch the videos on line for “easy” steps for easy cooking, some are ok, others not so much. So I am always looking for hints, and cookbooks for singles looks very interesting.

[twodogsbarking]

23. They ain't what they used to be.

[MOMFUDSKI]

25. I cook for my husband and me.

There could come a day when I will be alone. I know I would cook the same as I always have in that event. Smaller amounts. I would create frozen dinners from leftovers for my freezer. No store-bought frozen dinners for me.

[LittleGirl]

30. Batch cooking is by far the easiest way

to eat at home. Get some freezer sandwich bags and put food in there and label it. That way you can cook about 6 meals at a time and have something quick to heat up when you work late.

Hubby makes his own oatmeal and freezes it. He also makes up salads in advance and puts them in the fridge for lunches etc.

He's gone vegetarian and I am still a paleo eater so we don't overlap meals much anymore. Sometimes I eat what he eats but he refuses to eat meat anymore so I cook my own portions and he makes enough veggies for left over the next day or two. Good luck!

[Basic LA]

32. I still like to have 2 or 3 in the freezer.

Just in case. In that rare instance, there's a quick meal. But, true, with some exceptions, most of them are only fit for an emergency hot meal.

[Phoenix61]

33. I do a lot of cooking and freezing. Everything from

waffles to meat loaf. It’s that or fast food crap for lunch every day.

[Layzeebeaver]

34. Batch cook and freeze

that's the best strategy... Just make some tasty stuff and freeze it in appropriate serving sizes.

Then combine it with some fresh boiled or steamed veg on the day of eating...

perhaps a good Indian curry (from frozen) with freshly boiled potatoes, spinach and garlic

Chilli con carne( same- from frozen) plopped on-top of some fresh rice

Or even a basic frozen pizza from the store - with some fresh onion, pepper, another meat, pineapple, and a bit of extra cheese.

One day of planning and cooking can let one eat for a couple of weeks.

Life and eating (even alone) can be great!

[FarPoint]

64. You are on target with your recommendations....

I just need to relax, plan and do the task....freezing meals will be one of my must actions!

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

35. Stoufers is nasty, get the Marie Callenders dinners

They're about $3.50 to $5 depending where you buy them, but I haven't tried one that I've hated yet.

Even their $3 'bowls' help make a meal if you have salad at home

[MOMFUDSKI]

106. Marie Callender makes a great

Chicken Pot Pie.

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

107. Seconded. I buy those instead of the "cheap" ones which are half the price of MC and are barely edible.

I've never cared for the beef or turkey cheap ones, but I've never tried the Marie Callenders version of them. Better the devil you know...

[Auggie]

36. "Shrinkflation" can apply to quality of ingredients and taste as well

Nestle brand managers response to corporate profit mandates. It’s a real thing — increase the bottom line every year by X amount or look for another job.

[DownriverDem]

37. I like Stouffers

We like the family meals of meatloaf & Lasagna. I cook them in the oven. We get 2 meals out of them. Also we like the mac & beef single meals when time is short.

[richdj25]

40. I don't do any sort of quick-frozen meals.....

given its what help led to my stroke a few years ago. Don't do anything that carries excessive sodium levels, so I cook everything, whereas I have control.

Mind you, I'm not here to preach to the choir about what's in prepared-frozen meals. I believe people should eat what they like, especially if they don't have any conditions that would be affected by it. As to the quality of Stouffers meals going downhill, I noticed that years ago when I was still eating that product, because it was convenient, and I live by myself.

Hope you find an alternative that fits your schedule.

[OAITW r.2.0]

42. I can relate to your post. I, too, am living alone and cooking for one sucks.

Ususally a couple of frozen entrees a week. I like Marie Calanders. Also, love Chicken Kievs and Chicken Cordon Blues - i think Barber Foods? . Sadly, no really decent restaurants close to me, so I am limited on that option. Eat a lot of sammies, too.

[rogerballard]

46. Some frozen stuff used to be good

I am staying away from them more and more, sodium level is bad and saturated fat too. It seems like all the meals have way to much garlic as well. Lately I have been going to get soups from restaurants and bring it home and make a sandwich to go with it.

[DownriverDem]

62. When I see your map

I think it's me!

[rogerballard]

66. I do the same thing!

I am in Burton, just outside of Flint, closer to Grand Blanc.

[SARose]

47. Lasagna for two

Recipe here

Same boat here. I find recipes for one or two on Pinterest.

[FarPoint]

65. Thank you....

I clicked the link and did a Bookmark....

[onethatcares]

49. cooking for one sounds like it sucks but

try to cook for one plus one that has cancer. No matter the portion size sometimes the taste changes mid meal along with trying to manage calories, protiens, carbs.

I've been cooking for my wife since October last and it's definitely been an adventure.

[flying_wahini]

51. Hamburger meat and onions, cook up a mess of it. Freeze it and ready to make spaghetti or tacos

I hate cooking for one person. Hard to get motivated when you could just do a PB&J sandwich or scramble some eggs. There are more options for those who actually like to throw something together.
Vegetarian meals are easier to keep on hand but require forethought.

[GAJMac]

52. OK, cooking for 1

The rule is look at the number of servings in the recipe, do the necessary math to get ingredients for one serving, then cut those amounts in half.
Portion sizes have increased in recipes, too...

[Ilsa]

53. They have several version of their tomato sauce-based

lasagna, and I think one of them has ricotta. Some have more meat. But overall, it's just an emergency meal.

My son loves the spaghetti and meat sauce individual entree, so I guess I'll keep a few in the freezer for him to snack on.

[snowybirdie]

54. My go to quick meal

Is pasta, a can of minced clams and some fresh shrimp. Pour a little parmesan into the clams and its juice and shrimp. Add garlic. Pour over cooked pasta. Takes about 15 minutes. Tasty. Warmed up bread adds a nice touch. Home cooking and tasty. Never buy frozen meals any more.

[HAB911]

57. Nestle--'Nuf said

[brewens]

58. Just before COVID hit I was going more homemade and whole foods. It is a challenge cooking

healthy foods for just one person. Keeping produce around without throwing too much away takes some planning.

I love bell peppers and mushrooms and use them in omelets and salads regularly. I have a bunch of recipes for bulk meals that I make when I need to get stuff used up. I love a stuffed bell pepper casserole recipe I found.

I now make all my own baked goods too. I have a bread machine but also make English muffins and other good things. I had to buy a chest freezer and a shitload of storage containers.

Just the other day I added to my mac & cheese recipe and made it into a tuna casserole. I added broccoli, mushrooms, celery and tuna. It turned out great.

[Shermann]

59. Frozen meals seem to be mostly packaging these days

Frozen meals usually leave me hungry, while I can never finish the huge portions you get in restaurants.

Can't they meet in the middle somewhere?

[doc03]

60. I havent had a Stouffers for a while but I

thought they were quite good. I have poor taste or thet have changed.

[chowder66]

61. I eat a lot of sheet pan meals. I can control the portions that way.

I just throw on some chicken (tenders, thighs, breasts) or salmon with brussel sprouts or broccoli/mixed veggies and drizzle olive oil, garlic powder and pepper. I use parchment paper to make for easy clean up.

[Botany]

67. Good stuff.... Quick and easy... add some meat or shrimp to it.

Their red beans and rice and dirty rice are really good.

Btw when is dinner?

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

88. I use their Roux to make Gumbo

My Roux making skills are too inconsistent, but Z always tastes good, which is a safe bet when adding chicken, shrimp and okra. Sometimes I'll substitute crawdads for shrimp

[ZZenith]

98. Their Jambalaya is the backbone of the recipe

that got me through the Trump administration. Good stuff.

[CountAllVotes]

68. Understand

In the same situation here.

I eat what I can.

Its difficult w/just one person now.

The nurse told to go on the Mediterranean diet. Yeah right.

& recommend

[SCantiGOP]

69. Try Rao's

Their lasagna doesn’t taste like homemade, but better than the other brands.
I also think their jarred marinara is by far the best.

[XorXor]

70. I've never been a fan of that stuff

The mac & cheese is the only thing I find acceptable.

[brewens]

71. I used to eat a lot of canned soup. When I lost a lot of weight and was counting calories and paying

attention to nutrition I read labels and saw how worthless some of those soups are nutritionally. It was no wonder I always felt like I needed half a pack of crackers with a can of soup.

When I started really getting serious about soup making, I started doing it right and buying a couple whole hams and turkeys every year. For the cost of a ham or turkey you can also end up with a big batch of five-star soup. Soup that you can't come close to in a store that a restaurant would charge at least five bucks a bowl for. It's almost like I get the hams and turkeys for free.

[wolfie001]

72. Too much sodium

They would've killed me by now (64, retired). I discovered lentils. Cheap. Red or green/brown. Red ones cook quicker. Rinse them before you cook. So many easy recipes online and YouTube clips to show you how to prepare. Lots of garlic too. Cheers!

[codfisherman]

102. Lentils

I'm a big fan of lentils too. Toss in dried veggies near the end and a little fresh or frozen garden herbs. Lately been cooking them with quinoa and dried kale. Sometimes corn and rice, hitting all the bases. Oh yeah, heavy on the garlic and red onions.

[wolfie001]

105. Oooohhh! Great ideas!!!

Thanks!

[Trueblue Texan]

74. Cheater's pizza...

This is fast and filling.

Put sliced cheese on bread, add sliced tomato, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Now put it in the toaster oven, air fryer, or under the broiler. When the cheese is melty take it out and eat it! Fast and delicious and surprisingly filling!

[TygrBright]

75. In my 'cooking for one' days I got great mileage from the freezer.

I would make full-size (usually 'serves 4' - but that was assuming additional side dishes) recipes and eat a portion and freeze the rest in single-serving-size containers, about once a week, usually on a weekend. At the beginning of the week I'd take 2-3 of the frozen containers out to thaw in the fridge.

I did discover a few prepackaged items that worked well for me, and kept them in the rotation also. It was years ago and I don't know of they're still on the market or still worth eating, so - no recommendations. I will say that now, when we're cooking for two, mostly, we have found several items at Trader Joe's that split well for two meals. Not sure how well any of them would work as leftovers, though.

Also in the rotation were a number of very easy items like breakfast for lunch or dinner - fried egg sammy, omelettes, a bowl of cereal with fruit, warmed-over breakfast casseroles, migas, etc. Sandwiches in general were always problematic because although bread sort-of freezes, it's not really great thawed, and no one makes tiny loaves that you can get three or four sandwiches and/or pieces of toast from in much variety or quality. But English muffins freeze a bit better than bread and some of them come in packs of six, so they usually wouldn't turn green too soon and were good for a sandwich now and then.

Another strategy was steaming a whole head of broccoli or cauliflower and eating some with a little grated cheese for lunch, and putting the rest in the refrigerator to have on baked potatoes (a great 'lazy meal') or salads. Although salads were also tough as lettuces often went icky before I could use a whole head.

A small tin of baked beans, with a single sliced wienie, was comfort-food indulgence now and then, and also a good 'lazy meal'.

It's not much fun cooking for one, but if you plan ahead and keep track of what works for you, you may be able to achieve the goal of not relying on take-out or prepackaged prepared stuff. Good luck!

encouragingly,
Bright

[highplainsdem]

76. Seconding what chowder66 said about sheet pan dinners. I like to do foil packet dinners, too.

Easy to combine the meat or fish, veggies and seasonings you want, and they can be cooked extra quickly with an air fryer or convection oven.

I bought a very small crockpot - Proctor Silex 1.5 qt - years ago and have found that very useful when cooking for one.

[XanaDUer2]

79. I only eat their mac n cheese

Its very good. Lasagna noodles are too thick and chewy and it tastes like sugar to me

[PortTack]

81. You go! Hope you have a lovely dinner...whatever you are planning!

[Bayard]

82. My 3 minute meal for one

Two tortillas (preferably spinach,) on a plate, drain a can of low-salt black beans and put on it, spoon on some salsa, sprinkle on cheese, and finish with a dollop of low fat plain yogurt. Nuke for 3 minutes. Tasty and filling.

[TeamProg]

83. I like Barilla brand marinara and dry pastas. So much fresher tasting than Ragu, Classico, Prego or

even Newmans’.
With some mushrooms or bell pepper or ground beef (if you eat meat) and parmassan, yeeeum!

Less expensive than frozen foods, too. And healthier.

An amazingly delicious and easy dinner is:

One can of Mexican style stewed tomatoes
One can of low sodium black beans.

Pour into a sauce pan and heat the mixture. So easy and SO good!
Toast some corn tortillas with some cheese as a side, too.

Makes two servings.

[thesquanderer]

84. re: "it was awful....it was a small serving too"

That's the old joke...

two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions."

[Trueblue Texan]

85. Strategies...

I like to boil a few red potatoes and put them in the fridge--they will be safe for 2-3 days. I cut some red, green, orange peppers and onions in about 1/2 inch pieces and store in plastic containers to be used throughout the week. These few items can help you feed yourself healthier, fast meals during the week. You can add some of the peppers and onions to chopped cabbage for a nice, healthy slaw; you can sauté them with or without meat and toss in the potatoes to crisp them up. You can add this same mixture to scrambled eggs with or without sliced cabbage. You can add the sautéed peppers and onion and cabbage to rice and egg for fried rice or pilaf. I love using a small rice cookers for all kinds of things besides rice. You can cook potatoes, veggies, lentils, quinoa and add them to veggies and/or beans. You do have to plan ahead to be able to eat conveniently, but not too far ahead. Just a few strategies and you'll be amazed how easy it is to feed yourself fast, healthy food.

[Envirogal]

87. Here are my single person cooking hacks

First of all, no one should be nuking plastic, then consuming that food. And frozen meals are wasteful, non-recyclable, and more expensive. Most are crap tasting and crap nutrition, compared to what you can make, even if you don’t like to cook or pressed for time.

If you are cooking for one, your freezer is your friend! Here are a few of my hacks:

Spend one afternoon making an actual lasagna (and add veggies and other nurtrition boosts) create small portions and freeze them. Lasagna is one of those things that actually taste better after sitting for a bit as the flavors marinate together.

Homemade Soup is your friend! But if you are going to go to the work of making it, make sure you make a lot extra that you can freeze. One of my favorite hacks is taking the gelato brand called Talenti that actually uses reusable plastic JARS that are freezable (rather than other ice cream brands that use crappy, waxy non-recyclable cartons). Pour soup into the empty jars, which equal one serving of soup. So when you’re ready to eat it, you just put a few in the fridge for a day before as it thaws and then pour out the contents into a small pot.

(The plastic is NEVER heated—that is where the problems happen. These Talenti jars are totally reusable, recyclable and can freeze.plus, they make incredible storage containers for all sorts of things! Granted Talenti is more expensive and high-quality gelato, but you get a free container from it and you have to eat the gelato to get it. Win win.)

As you make more different kinds of soup, you’ll have a whole variety in your freezer. And you’ll have room in your freezer because you quit buying crappy microwavable frozen dinners that leach chemicals when heated.

[womanofthehills]

90. I like meat - I grill, boil or bake chicken breasts

Or bake or grill grass fed beef. I cook enough meat for about 5 meals. Also, mini greens in my windows. You can also buy LED’s to always have fresh mini greens.

Then I can have meat meals all week - like chicken tacos, sandwichs, stir fry, chicken over rice or chicken pizza. I have 4 mini tomato plants in my south windows so I always have fresh tomatoes for all dishes.

Same with grass fed beef - steak & eggs with fruit, stir fry and sandwiches etc.

With an automatic rice cooker -you can make a large batch of rice - and divide it and freeze it.

[dlk]

91. If you enjoy cooking, One Dish Kitchen has great recipes for one

Going from cooking for a family to cooing for one can be a challenge. Good luck.

[Nittersing]

93. I like a lot of the recipes there!

https://onedishkitchen.com/

[beaglelover]

96. We buy Giovanni Rana Meat Lasagna. It's in the refrigerated section of the store, not frozen section. It is REALLY

good for premade lasagna. Highly recommend it!

https://www.giovanniranausa.com/products/meat-lasagna.html

[Pluvious]

97. The frozen foods line of Amy's seems pretty good (organic too) - nt

[Mr.Bill]

100. I lived alone for about ten years

when I was in my 20s. Cooking for one was a lot easier when I resigned myself to eating the same thing for two or three days at least for one meal a day.

Of course, freezing works well also.

[Scrivener7]

101. I cook for one about half the time. One of my favorite, easy easy easy recipes is Amish chicken.

On a plate, put a tablespoon of flour. To the flour, add paprika, garlic powder, onion flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Stir it up. Dredge a chicken thigh in the mixture. I keep the skin on.

Put a drop of olive oil in a baking pan, put the thigh skin side down in the pan, bake 25 minutes at 375. Turn it over and bake another 20 minutes.

You won't believe how great it tastes. A salad or some frozen veg makes it a meal.

[diane in sf]

103. I cook large vats of soups and stews and freeze a bunch of individual portions. I use organic ingredients.

So my food quality is better than commercial frozen stuff, lower sodium, also fewer empty carbs than something like Amy’s. I have a bunch of frozen things I can cook quickly, like shrimp and frozen veggies. I pick up frozen dim sum dumplings, meat and veg combos, in SF that can be boiled in 10 minutes. Just add sauce, instant meal. Sometimes I sauté spinach in garlic butter, stir in shrimp, which cook in a couple minutes, instant one pot dinner.

I bought a small chest freezer that can stay frozen for two days if the power goes out. And now I have pea soup made with the ham bone and leftovers, Turkey and white bean soup, moussaka, beef chili, green Thai curry (good for chicken or pork loin leftovers, as are enchiladas), etc. I also have a number of things from TJs and Costco like salmon steaks, shrimp, pizzas (which usually need added cheese), etc. Getting the freezer has made things much easier, and it was only around $200. It’s paid for itself.

[muriel_volestrangler]

104. At least it probably didn't contain any horse

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/feb/15/horsemeat-scandal-the-essential-guide

[Iwasthere]

108. IT'S NOT FOOD! Instead of focusing on the taste or portion size

Focus on the 19 ingredients on the back. If anything has more than 3 ingredients listed I usually steer clear. Eat whole foods, and eat organic. Theres a reason there's so much cancer in the world, and its not hereditary. Studies have shown only 5% of cancers are hereditary. Fast foods are killing us.

[moniss]

109. I buy the

"Marie Callenders" brand of frozen but only select ones. The turkey is awful but the ones that say Meal to Share are just a bit bigger than single and at my local supermarket they are $5.99 each. There is really enough there for two so you can have a leftover. The favorite is chicken,rice,broccoli and cheese and second favorite is fettuccine, Alfredo sauce, chicken and broccoli and third choice is scalloped potatoes and ham although don't go looking for a ton of ham. If you are in to mac-n-cheese they also have some of those with chicken etc. They are a million times better than that garbage from Stouffers. Horrible low quality ingredients from that company.

One thing I would caution about these frozen meals is that I do mine in a conventional oven and get good results. In the past I've tried microwaving and it tends to destroy the noodles/potatoes and sort of toughen the rice. It can also fool with the sauces/cheese and make them sort of thin. I think it may have something to do with how the heating differences/time work with the moisture content etc.

They have the single servings in even wider variety also but a better bang for the buck is the larger size.

[snot]

110. Ever since we decided to permit Leveraged Buy-Outs,

one good company after another has been acquired, stripped of assets and good employees, its pension funds emptied, and its products cr*ppiefied in order to enable cannibal capitalists to suck as much unearned profit out of the company as possible.

By this time, it's actually become quite difficult to find decent products to buy. I've begun frequenting estate sales looking for basics like tools not made of plastic and toasters that don't burn toast.