3 Genuinely Delicious Dinners for One, All Under $10 a Serve

Cooking for one doesn’t have to mean either overspending on pre-made meals or settling for something bland just to save money. With a bit of smart planning, and by making the most of pantry staples that stretch across several meals, it’s entirely possible to eat well on a genuinely modest budget. We’ve costed out these three recipes using current Coles and Woolworths pricing (checked September 2026), and every single one comes in comfortably under $10 a serve.

A quick note on the costings: these recipes are designed around a single serve, using a portion of larger packs like canned tomatoes, coconut milk and rice, which is exactly how most people cooking for themselves actually shop. Prices vary by location, week and specials, so treat these as a genuine, representative guide rather than an exact promise.

1. One-Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry
Approximate cost: $3.80 per serve

A properly warming, fragrant curry that comes together in one pot with minimal cleanup, and stretches your grocery dollar a long way.

Serves 1 | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients

½ can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (save the rest for another meal)
½ can coconut milk (200ml)
1 tablespoon curry paste (your preferred heat level)
½ brown onion, diced
½ capsicum, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
¾ cup rice, uncooked
1 egg, boiled (optional, for extra protein)
Fresh coriander, to serve (optional)

Method

Cook the rice according to packet instructions.

Meanwhile, heat a splash of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and curry paste, and cook for a further minute until fragrant.

Add the capsicum and cook for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the chickpeas and coconut milk. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Serve over the rice, topped with the boiled egg if using, and a scatter of fresh coriander.

Cost breakdown: chickpeas ($0.48) + coconut milk ($0.85) + curry paste ($0.30) + onion ($0.42) + capsicum ($0.87) + rice ($0.38) + egg ($0.50) = approximately $3.80

2. Cheesy Tomato Pasta with a Fried Egg
Approximate cost: $2.90 per serve

Simple, genuinely comforting, and proof that a handful of pantry basics can still taste like a proper meal.

Serves 1 | Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients

100g pasta of your choice
½ can crushed or diced tomatoes (200g)
½ brown onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
50g cheese, grated
1 egg
Olive oil, dried herbs, salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Cook the pasta according to packet instructions.

While the pasta cooks, heat a splash of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute.

Add the tomatoes, a pinch of dried herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, until slightly thickened.

In a separate small pan, fry the egg to your liking.

Drain the pasta and stir through the tomato sauce. Top with the grated cheese and the fried egg to serve.

Cost breakdown: pasta ($0.18) + tomatoes ($0.48) + onion ($0.42) + cheese ($1.00) + egg ($0.50) + oil/herbs (approx. $0.30) = approximately $2.88

3. Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Stir-Fry
Approximate cost: $4.40 per serve

A properly satisfying, protein-packed dinner that also happens to be a great way to use up half a head of broccoli sitting in the crisper.

Serves 1 | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 12 minutes

Ingredients

150g chicken thigh fillet, diced (approx. $11/kg)
½ head broccoli, cut into small florets
½ capsicum, sliced
¾ cup rice, uncooked
1 clove garlic, minced
1cm piece ginger, grated
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Method

Cook the rice according to packet instructions.

Heat a splash of oil in a frying pan or wok over high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Add the broccoli and capsicum to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until just tender but still with some bite.

Return the chicken to the pan, add the garlic, ginger and soy sauce, and toss to combine for a further minute.

Serve over the rice, with a drizzle of sesame oil if using.

Cost breakdown: chicken ($1.65) + broccoli ($1.11) + capsicum ($0.87) + rice ($0.38) + garlic, ginger, soy sauce (approx. $0.40) = approximately $4.41

None of these recipes require a special trip to the shops or hard-to-find ingredients, just a well-stocked pantry and a few fresh staples. Buying larger packs of things like rice, canned goods and coconut milk, then using a portion for each meal, is genuinely one of the easiest ways to keep cooking for one both affordable and enjoyable, without ever feeling like you’re missing out on flavour.