28 Easy Dinners for Two That Won’t Waste a Thing

Finding easy dinners that fit just right for two can be a challenge, especially when you want to avoid leftover overload. I’ve put together a collection of simple meals that keep portion sizes in check and make sure nothing goes to waste. These dishes are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick, satisfying, and just enough for you and a partner.

Close-up of a spoonful of beef stew with chunks of meat, onions, and parsley in a rich brown broth. — Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

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Chicken Cacciatore

Plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, mushrooms, and herbs, with a fork and spoon on the side. — Chicken Cacciatore. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This recipe works well for couples because it uses simple ingredients and cooks in one pot, keeping cleanup easy. It’s a good choice for those wanting a full meal without leftovers piling up. The rich sauce and tender chicken come together in under an hour. It’s great for a comforting dinner that feels complete but stays manageable in portion. Perfect when you want a no-fuss meal that doesn’t waste food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore

Beef Quesadillas

A stack of quesadillas filled with cheese and steak served with a side of red salsa on a white plate. — Beef Quesadillas. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Beef quesadillas are fast to prepare and make a filling meal that won’t leave you with too many leftovers. They’re easy to customize and perfect for a two-person dinner. The ingredients are basic, which helps keep costs and prep time low. This dish works well when you want something casual but complete. Great for nights when you want minimal effort and no food going unused.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas

Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Pork chops on a plate with rosemary sprigs. — Pan-Fried Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These pork chops are simple to cook and portion out for two, making sure there’s no excess food at the end of the meal. The straightforward seasoning keeps prep easy and the cook time quick. It’s a good way to get a hearty dinner on the table without a lot of fuss or leftover confusion. This recipe is a solid choice for a no-waste, easy dinner any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Air Fryer Tuna Melt

A grilled cheese tuna sandwich is cut in half on a plate. — Air Fryer Tuna Melt. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This dish is quick and uses just a handful of ingredients, making it perfect for a small dinner that won’t create leftovers. The air fryer makes the bread crispy and the cheese melty in minutes. It’s a great pick when you want something warm and filling without extra prep or cleanup. Ideal for when you want an easy meal for two that keeps portions in check.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tuna Melt

Ground Pork Tacos

Two pork tacos on a white plate with lime wedges. — Ground Pork Tacos. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Ground pork tacos are quick to make and easy to control portion-wise, making them ideal for two people. The ingredients are simple and the assembly straightforward, so no time is wasted. It’s a good choice for a flavorful meal that doesn’t leave extra ingredients or food behind. This recipe works well for casual dinners where ease and no waste matter.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Tacos

Cream Cheese Chicken

A plate with chicken and green beans on it. — Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This recipe balances creamy flavors with straightforward prep and cooking, designed to make a neat meal for two. It avoids leftover challenges by using just enough ingredients for a small dinner. The cooking time is reasonable, so it’s great for weeknights. It’s a good pick when you want something rich without extra hassle or leftover worries.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Plate of crispy chicken pieces with walnuts and green onions, served next to white rice on a patterned cloth with a fork. — Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This shrimp dish is perfect for two because it’s quick to prepare and uses just enough ingredients to avoid extra food. The honey glaze adds flavor without a long list of steps. It works well for a special but simple dinner where portion size is just right. Ideal when you want a balance of ease and something a bit different without leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp

Oven Baked Pork Steaks

Oven baked pork steak on a plate with green beans and a fork on the side. — Oven Baked Pork Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Oven-baked pork steaks offer a straightforward, no-fuss dinner that fits nicely for two servings. The recipe is designed to limit leftovers, making it great for small households. Cooking in the oven keeps prep simple and cleanup easy. This meal is a solid option for those who want a hearty plate without dealing with extra food. Perfect for an easy, balanced dinner.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Pork Steaks

Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

A bowl of pasta with shrimp and tomatoes. — Shrimp and Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This pasta dish comes together quickly and makes just the right amount for two people. It keeps ingredients simple while offering a complete dinner. The prep and cook time make it easy to plan without leftover concerns. This recipe is a practical choice for an easy, no-waste meal that feels fresh and filling.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

Filipino Chicken Adobo

Two pieces of braised meat in a dark, rich sauce, seasoned with whole peppercorns and a bay leaf, in a pan. — Filipino Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This classic dish is great for two because it’s flavorful yet doesn’t require a long list of ingredients. It cooks down to manageable portions, helping avoid leftovers. The cooking method is easy and gives the chicken a rich taste without extra effort. It’s a reliable pick when you want a meal that’s both straightforward and thoughtfully portioned.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Chicken Adobo

Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Close-up of an air-fried barbecued rib with charred edges over a white plate. — Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Baby back ribs made in the air fryer cook faster and fit well into a dinner plan for two. The recipe avoids making too much food while still offering a hearty meal. Cleanup is easier with this method, and the ribs stay juicy. This dish is a smart choice when you want a classic dinner without leftovers taking up space.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

A piece of air fried chicken thigh on a fork, with a caramelized exterior and garnished with a small leaf, in focus against a blurred background of more chicken pieces. — Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Boneless chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer, making them a great option for an easy dinner sized for two. The recipe uses minimal ingredients and keeps prep simple. It’s perfect when you want a filling, protein-packed meal without extra leftovers. This is a reliable recipe for busy nights when convenience matters.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Shrimp Scampi

A plate with shrimp and bread on it. — Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Shrimp scampi is a quick and flavorful meal that fits well for two people without leftover issues. It uses just a few ingredients and comes together in less than 30 minutes. The simplicity makes it a great choice for a light yet filling dinner. This recipe works well when you want something easy and neat on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Close-up of a crispy air fried chicken drumstick on a white plate garnished with parsley, with hot sauce in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken legs cooked in the air fryer come out crispy and ready quickly, perfect for a small dinner for two. The recipe keeps ingredients and cleanup minimal. It’s a solid choice for an easy, no-fuss meal that won’t leave food unused. This dish balances speed with portion control for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Chicken Pot Pie

This pot pie recipe is designed for two, offering a comforting meal without making too much food. It uses simple ingredients and has manageable prep time. The result is a cozy dinner that’s easy to serve without leftovers piling up. It’s a smart choice for when you want something classic and portion-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Bowl of black pepper chicken with chop sticks. — Chinese Black Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This dish combines bold flavors with easy prep and quick cooking, perfect for a dinner for two. It keeps ingredients limited and portion size controlled. The strong seasoning adds interest without complexity. It’s a good option for those looking to try something different while avoiding extra leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Panko Chicken Breast

Panko chicken on a white plate. — Panko Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Panko chicken breast is a straightforward meal that cooks quickly and fits well into a dinner for two. The crispy coating is achieved with minimal ingredients and effort. It’s perfect when you want a simple yet complete meal that won’t leave you with too much food. This recipe works well for easy weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Panko Chicken Breast

Chicken Nuggets

Hand dipping a chicken nugget into a bowl of ketchup, with a gray cloth background. — Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Homemade chicken nuggets are quick to prepare and perfect for a small household. They use simple ingredients and can be cooked in batches to avoid leftovers. This recipe fits well when you want a kid-friendly meal that’s easy to portion. It’s a practical choice for casual dinners that keep waste low.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Sliced ham with orange slices and grapes, garnished with parsley on a platter. — Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This ham recipe offers a sweet glaze with simple prep, sized for a dinner for two. The air fryer cuts down on cook time and keeps things neat. It’s a good option when you want a little extra flavor without a lot of leftovers. This dish works well for special dinners that don’t overdo portions.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

A spoon holding chunks of beef in a rich, brown stew garnished with small pieces of green herbs. — Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Beef tips cooked in the slow cooker are easy to portion for two, making this a no-waste dinner option. The recipe uses a few ingredients and slow cooking means hands-off prep. It’s great for busy days when you want a hearty, warm meal ready at dinnertime. This dish is a practical choice for a balanced, small meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A blue bowl of cooked chicken breasts garnished with chopped herbs on a light fabric backdrop. — Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Slow cooker chicken thighs are convenient and portion-friendly for two people. The recipe keeps ingredients and prep simple. The slow cooker method makes dinner effortless and minimizes leftover concerns. It’s a solid pick for easy, comforting meals on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

A plate of pork chops stuffed with mushrooms and cheese served with green beans. — Baked Stuffed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These pork chops offer a simple way to enjoy a filling dinner without making extra food. The recipe keeps prep manageable and cooks everything in one pan. It’s a good choice for a balanced, small meal that feels complete. Perfect for when you want a fuss-free dinner without leftover waste.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Chicken Lasagna with Broccoli

A slice of lasagna on a white plate, garnished with basil leaves, and a fork beside it. — Chicken Lasagna with Broccoli. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This lasagna is sized for two and combines vegetables and protein in a manageable dish. It comes together quickly and offers a full dinner without too much extra food. The recipe keeps ingredients simple and portion control easy. It’s a practical choice for when you want a comforting meal without leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lasagna with Broccoli

Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn chicken is a quick and easy meal that fits well for two people. It uses straightforward ingredients and cooks fast. This recipe is ideal for casual dinners where you want something fun but don’t want leftover pieces sitting around. It’s a good pick for no-fuss, portion-friendly meals.
Get the Recipe: Popcorn Chicken

Steak Pizzaiola

Fried steak topped with a chunky tomato and basil sauce, served on a white plate. — Steak Pizzaiola. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Steak pizzaiola offers a flavorful, simple dinner for two without extra leftovers. It uses basic ingredients and cooks in one pan, keeping cleanup easy. The recipe is good for nights when you want something satisfying but manageable. It fits well into an easy dinner routine that keeps portions right.
Get the Recipe: Steak Pizzaiola

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Dish

A spoon lifting chicken and stuffing casserole from a cast iron skillet, with a striped towel in the background. — Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Dish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This casserole is a great choice for a cozy dinner sized for two. It combines simple ingredients in a way that avoids leftover overload. The bake time is reasonable and cleanup stays easy. This dish is practical when you want a warm, comforting meal without wasting food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Dish

Carne Asada in the Oven

Slices of baked carne asada on small wood cutting board. — Carne Asada in the Oven. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Carne asada cooked in the oven is a straightforward recipe that fits well for two servings. The flavors come together quickly, and the portion size keeps things manageable. It’s a good choice for a quick dinner that doesn’t leave you with extra food. This recipe works well for a casual yet flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Carne Asada in the Oven

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

A plate of salmon on a white plate with lemon slices on it. — Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This sauce pairs nicely with salmon or other proteins, adding flavor without extra fuss. It’s a simple way to bring something fresh to a small dinner for two. The recipe uses basic ingredients and is quick to make. It’s a great option when you want to keep your meal light and easy with no leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon