117 single recipes

Single-crust pie pastry made with lard and a touch of shortening for a flaky, old-fashioned 9-inch shell. The traditional fat blend bakeries used before all-butter pastry took over.

Cumin and garlic pinto beans simmered low and slow with onion, a single slice of bacon, and whole cumin seeds. The classic Tex-Mex side, sturdier and tastier than canned. Quick-soak method skips the overnight wait.

Beginner-friendly no-fail pie crust with just four ingredients: flour, shortening, salt, and cold water. A flaky, tender single 9-inch crust ready in 20 minutes for any pie, sweet or savory.

Lentil and rice one-pot dinner with carrots, garlic, and basil. A budget-friendly vegan meal that simmers in a single pot, no draining or sauteing required. High in fiber and plant protein.

Oven-roasted peanuts coated in crushed chili peppers, cumin, and turmeric for a smoky, spicy snack. Golden and crunchy in just 30 minutes, these beat store-bought bar nuts every single time.

Homemade dried orange or lemon peel air-dried at room temperature and ground into powder. A single-ingredient pantry staple that replaces citrus extract in baking, flavors teas, and punches up sauces.

Vegetarian paella simmers brown rice with saffron, leeks, peas, and black olives in a single pan. Spanish one-pot meatless main with golden hue from real saffron threads. Serve with toasted nuts.

One dish microwave spaghetti for two with ground beef, onion, and Italian tomato sauce cooked together in a single casserole. A quick weeknight pasta dinner with no pots to boil and minimal cleanup.

Mock apple pie made with crackers instead of apples, boiled in sugar syrup with cream of tartar. A Depression-era trick pie that tastes surprisingly like real apple pie without a single apple.

Baby banana mash thins ripe banana with a splash of breast milk or formula for a smooth, naturally sweet first food. Single-ingredient simplicity that introduces babies to the joys of solid food.

No-bake fruit and nut balls made with cherries, dates, walnuts, almonds, and coconut, bound with a single egg and rolled in sugar. Five-ingredient old-fashioned candy with a chewy, dense bite.

Champagne fruit bowl tosses crisp apples and seasonal fruit in fresh citrus, then gets a splash of chilled bubbly and toasted almonds right before serving. A bright, boozy brunch centerpiece that comes together in a single bowl.

Shaved fresh asparagus takes place of greens, it adds crunchiness and freshness, the lemon and parmesan dressing gives the citrus and cheesy flavor. You will enjoy every single bite of this delicious spring salad.

Lemon cake pie bakes into two layers from a single batter: a creamy lemon custard on the bottom and a light sponge cake on top. Fresh lemon juice and zest give it bright citrus flavor.

A lighter take on classic potato salad using low-fat cottage cheese and just a touch of mayo. Packed with celery, green pepper, pimento, and olives for a single-serving side that's full of crunch.

Create-your-own one-bowl soup: a flexible single-serving formula that turns leftover meat, rice or pasta, and vegetables into a quick homemade soup, with a fresh lettuce leaf simmered on top for brightness.