Susan Cooks collections

Recipes for two

Right-sized meal ideas for two, with practical thinking for ingredients that are sold in larger packs.

50 ideas to explore

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Creamy tomato and spinach pasta for two

A small pan of tomato pasta finished with spinach and cream cheese for an unfussy weeknight meal.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Lemony chickpea and spinach skillet

Chickpeas, wilted spinach and softened onion brightened with lemon in one frying pan.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Garlic butter prawn pasta for two

Pasta and prawns tossed in a light garlic-butter pan sauce sized for two bowls.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Chicken and pepper fajitas for two

Sliced chicken and pepper cooked quickly in a hot pan and divided between warm tortillas.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Mushroom and pea risotto for two

A compact mushroom risotto with peas, made in a wide saucepan for two portions.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Halloumi and couscous bowls

Golden halloumi, vegetables and fluffy couscous assembled into two warm bowls.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Tuna and sweetcorn pasta for two

A cupboard-led pasta with tuna, sweetcorn and a lightly creamy coating.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Quick coconut chickpea curry

Chickpeas simmered with coconut milk, tomato and curry powder for two generous bowls.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Honey-soy salmon bowls for two

Glazed salmon, rice and green vegetables portioned into two balanced bowls.

20-minute dinners · 17 mins

Tomato and white bean toast

Herby white beans and tomatoes spooned over crisp toast for a fast pantry supper.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Beef and broccoli noodles for two

Tender beef strips, broccoli and noodles in a savoury soy pan sauce.

20-minute dinners · 20 mins

Pesto chicken pasta for two

Chicken, pasta and pesto brought together with a little pasta water rather than a heavy sauce.

One-pan dinners · 50 mins

Chicken thighs with potatoes and carrots

A compact roasting-tin dinner of chicken thighs, potatoes and carrots for two.

One-pan dinners · 45 mins

Sausage and apple traybake for two

Sausages roasted with apple, onion and potatoes in a small tray.

One-pan dinners · 37 mins

Mediterranean cod traybake

Cod fillets baked over tomatoes, courgette and onion for a light two-person supper.

One-pan dinners · 50 mins

Chicken and rice bake for two

Chicken and seasoned rice cooked together in a covered baking dish sized for two.

One-pan dinners · 33 mins

Gnocchi with tomatoes and mozzarella

Gnocchi baked with bursting tomatoes and pockets of mozzarella in one dish.

One-pan dinners · 40 mins

Pork chops with apples and onions

Two pork chops roasted with wedges of apple and onion in a shallow pan.

One-pan dinners · 40 mins

Harissa chickpea and vegetable traybake

Chickpeas and mixed vegetables roasted with a measured spoonful of harissa.

One-pan dinners · 26 mins

Lemon herb salmon and green beans

Salmon fillets and green beans baked together with lemon and dried herbs.

One-pan dinners · 40 mins

Turkey meatballs with tomato orzo

Small turkey meatballs simmered with tomato and orzo in a single wide pan.

One-pan dinners · 35 mins

Roasted vegetable and feta couscous

Roasted vegetables folded through couscous with feta and lemon.

Air fryer · 28 mins

Air-fryer garlic and herb potatoes

Halved small potatoes with garlic and dried herbs, cooked for two in an air fryer.

Air fryer · 23 mins

Air-fryer chicken breast for two

Two simply seasoned chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer with resting guidance.

Air fryer · 15 mins

Air-fryer salmon fillets

Two salmon fillets cooked with lemon and herbs in a small air-fryer basket.

Air fryer · 30 mins

Air-fryer stuffed peppers

Pepper halves filled with couscous, vegetables and cheese for two.

Air fryer · 20 mins

Air-fryer crispy chickpeas

A small batch of seasoned chickpeas for topping bowls or eating as a warm snack.

Air fryer · 25 mins

Air-fryer chicken fajitas

Chicken strips, pepper and onion cooked together before filling four small tortillas.

Air fryer · 30 mins

Air-fryer apple crumble for two

Two ramekins of apple with an oat crumble topping, sized for an air-fryer drawer.

Air fryer · 20 mins

Air-fryer Parmesan courgette

Courgette rounds with Parmesan and crumbs, cooked until tender at the centre.

Small-batch baking · 22 mins

Small-batch chocolate-chip cookies

A short batch of cookies with crisp edges and chocolate chips, without a full baking tray.

Small-batch baking · 35 mins

Apple crumble for two

Two ramekins of chopped apple beneath a simple oat crumble topping.

Small-batch baking · 40 mins

Six-inch vanilla cake

A single-layer vanilla cake mixed for a six-inch tin and a small gathering.

Small-batch baking · 32 mins

Small-batch banana muffins

A half-dozen tender muffins using two ripe bananas and ordinary pantry ingredients.

Small-batch baking · 34 mins

Two-person chocolate brownies

A compact pan of chocolate brownies yielding a modest number of squares.

Small-batch baking · 50 mins

Small-batch lemon drizzle loaf

A little lemon loaf with a measured drizzle, baked in a small loaf tin.

Small-batch baking · 26 mins

Four homemade scones

Four plain scones for a small tea, mixed with minimal handling.

Small-batch baking · 24 mins

Small-batch oatmeal cookies

A small tray of oat cookies with brown sugar and optional raisins.

Small-batch baking · 45 mins

Two-serving bread-and-butter pudding

A shallow dish of buttered bread baked in vanilla custard for two servings.

Small-batch baking · 32 mins

Small-batch blueberry muffins

Six blueberry muffins mixed in one bowl and baked until lightly golden.

Use what you have · 33 mins

Pantry tomato and lentil soup

Red lentils and tinned tomatoes simmered into a two-bowl cupboard soup.

Use what you have · 18 mins

Leftover vegetable fried rice

Cold cooked rice and leftover vegetables turned into two hot portions in a frying pan.

Use what you have · 28 mins

Flexible fridge-clearing frittata

Eggs and a measured amount of cooked vegetables baked or finished under the grill.

Use what you have · 35 mins

Potato and onion hash for two

Diced potato and onion cooked until tender with crisp edges in a wide frying pan.

Use what you have · 27 mins

Pantry tuna cakes

Tinned tuna and potato shaped into small pan-fried cakes for two.

Use what you have · 23 mins

Leftover roast chicken pasta

Cooked chicken folded through tomato pasta with spinach for a second-night supper.

Use what you have · 30 mins

White bean and tomato soup

White beans and tomatoes simmered with onion and herbs into a chunky soup.

Use what you have · 22 mins

Flexible vegetable quesadillas

Four folded tortillas filled with cooked vegetables and cheese, crisped in a dry pan.

Use what you have · 27 mins

Store-cupboard chickpea patties

Mashed chickpeas shaped with crumbs and seasoning into small pan-cooked patties.

Use what you have · 23 mins

Leftover rice pudding for two

Cooked rice gently warmed with milk, vanilla and raisins into two dessert bowls.