Small Batch Recipes for Two - EASY dinners for 2! Cooking the Books

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  • Опубліковано 14 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 142

  • @Diana-xm1dm
    @Diana-xm1dm Рік тому +2

    Nice, but after removing the foil, I like to stick the lasagna back into the oven to brown a little. That's a neat trick soaking the noodles for easier cutting, I use the oven ready but they're hard to cut. For the pot pie, I use the frozen crescent rolls 4 count instead of eight...freeze what I don't use right away. Well, everything you made looked delish, I could almost smell it. God Bless!

  • @rebecca8317
    @rebecca8317 Рік тому +10

    These would be such a great meal to give to new parents coming home from the hospital with a baby or anyone that could use a great homecooked meal from a friend.

  • @dreamweaver3406
    @dreamweaver3406 Рік тому +18

    I made the lasagna for dinner this evening and it was very delicious. It’s a generous two servings. I’m going to try the chicken dish later this week. Thanks for the recipe. We are empty-nesters with two dogs!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  Рік тому +4

      Oh I'm glad you liked it! I probably make it about once a month. You're right about the serving size - usually we have it for dinner, and then one of us will have it for lunch the next day.

  • @jenniferk4336
    @jenniferk4336 Рік тому +7

    Yes! More small batch recipes please! I want to eat both of these. Yum

  • @nonstopmom8185
    @nonstopmom8185 Рік тому +5

    I freeze lasagna in loaf pans, too, but I make my regular recipe and layer it in 3 loaf pans like you did. I have a vac sealer so they get vacd then into freezer. So nice to have them ready. Just defrost and bake. Love your boiling water trick.

  • @FlourEggsYeast
    @FlourEggsYeast 2 роки тому +10

    Love how you brown the cheese for another ten minutes. Lasagna is the best, especially those crispy cheese edges!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +2

      You reminded me of another good thing about this lasagna - every piece has at least 2 crispy edges because it’s baked in a loaf pan!

    • @FlourEggsYeast
      @FlourEggsYeast 2 роки тому +1

      @@cooking_the_books yes!

  • @plantlady65
    @plantlady65 29 днів тому +2

    These are great recipes. Please do more of these.

  • @FeinDining
    @FeinDining 2 роки тому +7

    Yum! They both look delicious. Although with our appetites, we could easily make those into meals for 1 😂

  • @stillsimplystephanie
    @stillsimplystephanie 2 роки тому +6

    Love seeing a small batch version of these, and they look delicious!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you! These are in heavy rotation on my meal plan. 😄

  • @gospatrick
    @gospatrick 10 днів тому

    My wife and I are "empty nesters" and 2 person recipes are fantastic for us.

  • @aprilyoung5710
    @aprilyoung5710 Рік тому +3

    Love this! Not everyone lives in a household of 4+. I’ve had to sometimes not only halve but quarter recipes to avoid a plethora of leftovers.

  • @CarolannBrendel
    @CarolannBrendel 12 днів тому +1

    Very helpful video. Tod and I are in a two-person household as well. You have great pacing in your videos. As someone with a gnat-like attention span, I appreciate that. I used to like those frozen pot pies as a kid, but it always felt like it took a gazillion years for them to cook (see earlier reference to attention span).

  • @jrubybowman
    @jrubybowman Рік тому +4

    Hi Anna, you're cute and funny! I've been binging your videos lately and laughing and remembering. I just watched your Halloween Cake and the Hawaiian Banana Bread videos. Both great videos. I grew up in the mid 50's, 60's and early 70's and my mom had some of your same vintage cookbooks. I used to love looking through them as a teen. I actually had the "Dinner for Two" cookbook when I was a new wife and mother and made many of those recipes! The Brown Butter cake is delicious. It was fun seeing the book and those illustrations again. I loved the Meal Plans for the various events and the table setting illustrations in the back of the book. I really loved that book. But then hubby died and every time I looked at that book I cried so I gave it to the Goodwill a few years back. Thanks for the GOOD memories.

  • @Coffeegirl85
    @Coffeegirl85 Рік тому +2

    Thank you for this video! It’s just me and my husband at home since our boys are grown and moved out. These recipes are perfect for the two of us. 😊yum

  • @mariaTsounakis1521
    @mariaTsounakis1521 Рік тому +3

    Love this series. It is so hard to find recipes for two. Ty!

  • @Buttercup9299
    @Buttercup9299 Рік тому +2

    These look amazing! Pls pls more recipes for 2 or small batch! 🎉❤

  • @TeamD2012
    @TeamD2012 Рік тому +2

    This was awesome! Thanks! 🙂. Meatloaf cut into 2 loaves for air fryer are also good for 2 peeps. Cook both together…eat one, freeze one. Win win.

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  Рік тому +1

      Love it! We're a household of 2 people, so I'm always on the lookout for small batch recipes.

  • @DiodeMom
    @DiodeMom Рік тому +1

    Love this so much! I am looking for recipes “for two” because I’m taking care of my mom - both of us don’t eat nearly enough and we don’t eat leftovers at all which sucks. I hate wasting food.
    Your channel is awesome! Definitely going to try out some of those vintage recipes but in the meantime:
    More of these, please!

  • @TheHappyWhisk
    @TheHappyWhisk 2 роки тому +2

    Hi Anna! Same. I love to make micro batches. Even when I'm writing a new bake, it's in micro batches. Love them. Or, some days, I'll do soup for one. A big mug of soup, made in the instant pot, for one. Other times for two. It's wonderful! PS: LOVE the mini bake sheet.

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +2

      I love it! Small Soups - great idea. I like a lot of soups that my husband isn't a fan of, so this would work well for me! I think the mini baking sheet is 1/8 sized. I use it a lot!

    • @TheHappyWhisk
      @TheHappyWhisk 2 роки тому +1

      @@cooking_the_books The eight sheets are super cute. I had a small fan oven for awhile and I used smaller sheets. Was fun! Same. I have meals that I do in my Instant Pot that Tim doesn't like. It's so great when he's at work and I just wanna crack out the mini pressure cooker! I make a cupppa soup or noodle dish at a time. Sometimes ... I'll make extra for the next day.

  • @twirleymae
    @twirleymae 8 місяців тому +3

    My husband hates peas, so I just cut up green beans into pea sized pieces! Easy peasy!

  • @Akforgetmenot
    @Akforgetmenot Рік тому +2

    I love your videos! I have been trying to down size my recipes for two.I still cook like I am raising a family!😂Have ever heard of cook books called Cook for a day, eat for a month. My sister used to cook from those books and make them n small serving sizes for the freezer.

  • @IntheKitchenwithKaren
    @IntheKitchenwithKaren 2 роки тому +1

    2 of our very favorite dishes!! and you know We are also a 2 person household. So these recipes will be put to good use! Thanks Anna!!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +1

      I used to make a half recipe of lasagna in an 8" x 8" pan, and it was still too much! This little loaf pan is perfect, with 2 generous servings or 4 smaller ones if one of us isn't as hungry....BUT we usually end up finishing all of it. 😄 Thanks for watching!

  • @paulandbenny
    @paulandbenny 2 роки тому +2

    Yum! I never thought about making individual pot pies. Great idea! Benny says, you should make lasagna.

  • @RGTenorioStore
    @RGTenorioStore 9 місяців тому +2

    Perfection 🎉

  • @Robin-g7q5d
    @Robin-g7q5d 8 місяців тому +2

    These are grand! I’m living solo now & need to expand my dinner time menus. Thanks, Anna

  • @rebeccacotto2753
    @rebeccacotto2753 9 місяців тому +2

    More like this please!

  • @fionainherkitchen
    @fionainherkitchen 2 роки тому +1

    These look so delicious Anna 😊 a very useful video for all those cooking for two. Thank you for sharing 😊 God bless. Fiona

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks for watching, Fiona! I hate wasting food, and preparing just the right amount of food for the two of us has really helped prevent this from happening.

  • @mariemarie5197
    @mariemarie5197 Рік тому +1

    Once you brush with egg wash, you could sprinkle celery seeds on top.

  • @hollyshomemadehaven
    @hollyshomemadehaven 2 роки тому +2

    Anna these are perfect recipes for my husband and myself since we are empty nesters. I like to have leftovers but sometimes I like to have a dish we can eat once, especially when I run out of room in my fridge and can’t put another thing in there lol. Thank you for sharing! Have a great day!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +3

      The fridge in our current rental home is a side by side fridge/freezer, which I’m not used to. I have trouble organizing the contents, so things get a little hairy in there if I have too many leftovers! 😂 thanks for watching!

    • @HomemakingwithHeatherYT
      @HomemakingwithHeatherYT 2 роки тому +2

      I totally understand that

    • @hollyshomemadehaven
      @hollyshomemadehaven 2 роки тому +1

      @@cooking_the_books We had a side by side for 20 years and I was so glad when we finally got one where the fridge is two doors and the bottom is a drawer freezer, that is until I started filling it up lol. I have a little bit more room than before but sometimes too many leftovers can take up so much room.

  • @AnnsSouthernhome
    @AnnsSouthernhome 2 роки тому +2

    What a great idea! I'm not the biggest fan of leftovers. I have puff pastry in my freezer so I know what I'm making tonight!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +2

      Oh I hope you like it! Puff pastry is such a good fridge/freezer staple.

    • @AnnsSouthernhome
      @AnnsSouthernhome 2 роки тому +2

      @@cooking_the_books I've never used it so that's why it's still in the freezer lol. Now I know how to use it!

  • @the_kitchn
    @the_kitchn 2 роки тому +1

    Excellent , best & nice recipe , looks so delicious , I liked it 👍🏼

  • @DavidSmith-fv1jf
    @DavidSmith-fv1jf 11 місяців тому +2

    as a household of one, these are great.

  • @texadonkey34
    @texadonkey34 2 роки тому +2

    You had me at pot pie😆👍. So tasty & I gotta quit buying KFC pot pies and make my own. Bravo for giving us 2 tasty recipes🎊🎊. I find your channel hypnotizing and comforting, 😊🌼🌼

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +1

      I mean, the KFC pot pies ARE pretty delicious! So glad you enjoy my channel. Thank you so much for watching! ♥

  • @VintageVermilion
    @VintageVermilion 9 місяців тому +1

    Love these suggestions! It’s so hard to find small scale recipes and trying cut/reduce ingredients gets complicated- keep getting nasty flashbacks to math class and fractions😂. As a small aside I inherited my mom’s set of Pyrex primary colors baking dishes and mixing bowls which are still as good as they were when she got them as wedding presents in 1951. Her Betty Crocker notebook style cookbook is also part of my collection.

  • @susanrobinson408
    @susanrobinson408 Рік тому +2

    Anna, for food prep, can you make these and freeze them unbaked? I wasn't sure how the noodles would do after freezing. What a great idea for two people!! We always have so much left over.

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  Рік тому +2

      Admittedly I have never tried freezing the lasagna unbaked. I have frozen the filling for the chicken pot pie though, and that worked out well!

  • @ThasnisHealthBites
    @ThasnisHealthBites 2 роки тому +1

    Wow, looks so deliciuos 👌🏻👌🏻

  • @FoodamentaryAdventuresinFood
    @FoodamentaryAdventuresinFood 2 роки тому +1

    I love your lasagna for two idea! My toddler doesn't eat what my husband and I eat, so we always have leftovers. I'll definitely have to try this one day. Thanks for sharing!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому

      I used to try a half recipe of lasagna in an 8 X 8 pan, and it was still too much for us. The little foil pans are just perfect! Thanks for watching. ♥

  • @macsarcule
    @macsarcule 11 місяців тому

    BRILLIANT! I’m a household of one now, and I can see how these can work well for me too! I’ve been making large recipes and splitting them smaller to freeze and it works, but it can feel a little overwhelming sometimes. This makes it feel so much easier to make something good and healthy for myself. 😋
    Love this and I’m hoping this might be an occasional series you do 😃✨

  • @MaryKimura-u9z
    @MaryKimura-u9z 5 місяців тому +1

    Thank you! I would love to see more cooking for two in addition to your other videos. In fact, maybe you could cut your other recipes down to portions for two. I'm so glad I found you.

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  5 місяців тому

      Just in case you missed it - I uploaded another 'Cooking for 2' video somewhat recently: ua-cam.com/video/bfbbHpNSbNM/v-deo.html

  • @brianpeters5419
    @brianpeters5419 10 місяців тому

    Thank you sooooo much, living alone now and I can still cook and eat what I love. ThanX

  • @WinDikaVlog
    @WinDikaVlog 2 роки тому +1

    wow looks delicious,thankyou for sharing and stay connected

  • @steinermarty3944
    @steinermarty3944 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you!

  • @foodelicioushub4368
    @foodelicioushub4368 2 роки тому +2

    MashaAllah, this looks absolutely incredible, so delicious, aromatic and appetizing😋😋. Love the way u prepared it, so easy to follow and wonderfully done. Beautiful presentation and cooking skills👌👌. Well done dear💖💖💖

  • @HomemakingwithHeatherYT
    @HomemakingwithHeatherYT 2 роки тому +1

    This is perfect for when my kids aren't home. Thank you for sharing

  • @becky9194
    @becky9194 7 місяців тому +1

    I love this! I am so use to cooking for 4 and life has change, and I am getting tired of leftovers 🤣

  • @Barbara-nc9iq
    @Barbara-nc9iq Рік тому

    You can also make a bunch of the pot pies and put then in disposable pans and freeze them. Then just take out what you want. Works wonderful

  • @PlayNewApp
    @PlayNewApp 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome, my friend. 😍💕 Big like. 👍 Have a nice day.🤗✨

  • @cookwithafreen
    @cookwithafreen 2 роки тому +1

    woww so yummy😋 and amazing recipe thankx for sharing such an amazing recipe stay connected🎉

  • @cookingwithsherry
    @cookingwithsherry 2 роки тому

    I’ve never seen refrigerated puff pastry. Chicken pot pie looks delicious! What a great idea for lasagna ! I need to make this because we always have way too much leftovers

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +1

      I found mine in the same section as the refrigerated pizza dough. I love making lasagna in these foil pans. It makes cleanup a snap!

  • @CookingwithAnneHugo
    @CookingwithAnneHugo 2 роки тому +1

    Both are looks inviting🤤

  • @CookingwithAnadi
    @CookingwithAnadi 2 роки тому +1

    Hey Anna this concept is great 'cause I hate when recipes are for a family of 8 or 10 when it's just me or myself and my other half lol! Thank you! I'm loving the chicken pot pie and lasagna! Great that you've made them in these individual portions, no extras and you have just what you need! Both must be so so delicious!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому

      They are definitely favorites on my meal plan! Leftovers really start to pile up in the fridge when I make too much, and I hate wasting food. Thanks for watching!

  • @cattandneil1504
    @cattandneil1504 Рік тому

    Would love more of these please! Only hubby and I and we don't like leftovers! New subscriber now too btw!

  • @decafanna
    @decafanna 9 місяців тому

    This looks amazing! Was looking for some new recipes to cook for me and my husband, can't wait to try your recipe. Just subscribed and super excited for more recipes just like this one. 😍

  • @cheriland7461
    @cheriland7461 Рік тому +1

    I loved this 2 person servings video.

  • @sliceoflife7416
    @sliceoflife7416 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Anna 😊 Yum both of these dinner look delicious! I have a very similar pepper grinder and love it. Mine has pepper on one end and salt on the other.

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому

      Thank you! These show up on my meal plan pretty frequently. 😂 I like the sound of that pepper AND salt grinder!

    • @fionainherkitchen
      @fionainherkitchen 2 роки тому

      I have the same too but separate like you too Anna....a dual one sounds cool Mindy! I'll have to watch out for one of those 😊

  • @lasandralucas7314
    @lasandralucas7314 11 місяців тому +1

    Love it ❤
    Hope you have more of these recipes 😋

  • @thanhxuanvlog6802
    @thanhxuanvlog6802 2 роки тому +1

    Wishing you good health happiness and Success, lucky weekend

  • @bizburgess1947
    @bizburgess1947 8 місяців тому

    Thanks for this one. We are a family of 2 and usually end up making and freezing. This is a great alternative.

  • @vickifrakes9488
    @vickifrakes9488 Рік тому +1

    Do you have any more Recipes for 2? I love cooking small amounts and not good with math to down-size recipes. Thanks for doing these.

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  Рік тому

      I have a few more videos where I cook specifically from Better Homes & Gardens Cooking for Two. I also try to cut most of the recipes on my channel in half, so a lot of them make just enough for 2 people.

    • @vickifrakes2761
      @vickifrakes2761 Рік тому

      Would you mind sending me a link for those recipes for two. I'd appreciate it.

  • @jenn4youtube
    @jenn4youtube 2 роки тому +1

    Wow that pot pie look so so good! I just ate dinner but this is making me hungry

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому +1

      Someday I will make you one!

    • @jenn4youtube
      @jenn4youtube 2 роки тому

      @@cooking_the_books yay I’m so excited! This literally made me eat some leftovers 😂just a second dinner it’s fine

  • @dorisbeale4940
    @dorisbeale4940 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much, enjoyed this video

  • @lauraharlow1749
    @lauraharlow1749 Рік тому +1

    Wonderful ideas!!! Thank you so much for sharing these!

  • @MannysMadeatHome
    @MannysMadeatHome 2 роки тому +1

    Great concept! I often cook way too much but we are very greedy and eat everything anyway, not great for the waistline and summer is just around the corner 😅 Fantastic recipes thank you for sharing!

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому

      Both of my parents grew up in large families, so when I learned to cook it was in LARGE quantities. 😂 It took me a while to figure out some scaled down recipes. Thanks for watching!

  • @homecasaitaly
    @homecasaitaly 2 роки тому +1

    So appetizing and delicious thanks for sharing this mouth watering recipe

  • @simplemealsbytvlog6491
    @simplemealsbytvlog6491 Рік тому +2

    Looks delicious 😋

  • @zaikakitchensupport429
    @zaikakitchensupport429 2 роки тому +1

    Wow! Splendid this is looking so beautiful amazing .Your all videos are super you deserve million more subscribers have a great day stay blessed stay connected❤🌹🌹😁

  • @genegene385
    @genegene385 Рік тому +1

    Great ideas!

  • @EverythingShakes
    @EverythingShakes 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome video!!

  • @Adventures-with-Sisters
    @Adventures-with-Sisters 5 місяців тому +2

    I’m almost positive I would have seen this. I wouldn’t mind smaller portion videos I have two in my house also and one is a growing 7 year old boy.

  • @ghw7192
    @ghw7192 Рік тому

    A fantastic and most welcome video!

  • @shellihardman
    @shellihardman Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for the easy recipes! How do you freeze your meat sauce? Mine always gets frostbite

  • @brendakrieger7000
    @brendakrieger7000 2 роки тому +1

    Great ideas

  • @brandyweidner602
    @brandyweidner602 Рік тому

    I'm new to you so we will see how this goes , lol But as a older couple im looking for some recipe ideas , " something different," from the usual,,
    I'll check out your playlist and hopefully get some new ideas.
    Happy cooking god bless

  • @tommyschwanfelder5285
    @tommyschwanfelder5285 2 роки тому +2

    Wow! I never would have thought to grate carrots for a recipe like this, but for the small vessel and the cook time make it an optimal choice!
    And I MUST try that cute lasagna dish. Are the aluminum bread pans from dollar tree? :)

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому

      I have a grater that produces slightly bigger pieces of vegetables than your typical box grater and it's perfect. The bread pans sometimes come from Dollar Tree, sometimes from WalMart depending on who has them in stock!

  • @CookingTubeChannel
    @CookingTubeChannel 2 роки тому +1

    nice job

  • @ricanolla7370
    @ricanolla7370 9 днів тому

    Can I use cashew cream instead of the heavy cream in the filling for the pot pie?

  • @susiemccoy7
    @susiemccoy7 7 місяців тому

    Do you have a recipe for the meat sauce from scratch?
    Thank you

  • @dianneklinski2543
    @dianneklinski2543 Рік тому +1

    How would you do this with beef? Using vegetable broth, but would you sub out the chicken with the same amt of meat?

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  Рік тому

      I haven't tried it with other meats, but yes I think subbing in the same amount of shredded beef or browned ground beef would work.

  • @Yaxchilan
    @Yaxchilan 10 місяців тому +1

    did you make the pot holder?

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  10 місяців тому

      The pot holder was given to me as a gift. I love it!

  • @FlyGirl-ji7kz
    @FlyGirl-ji7kz 10 місяців тому

    Do you have any other recipes for two besides the two that you have posted?

  • @eathomelive
    @eathomelive 8 місяців тому

    I don't eat much, but those are super small servings on the pot pie. The lasagna is way more than I can eat. Lol.

  • @siffchristensen6344
    @siffchristensen6344 6 місяців тому +2

    I missed the fact that you were making the chicken pot pie first and therefore thought it was lasagna. When the heavy cream was added i started getting concerned, but you should've seen my face when you added the peas.

  • @bethrayburn3720
    @bethrayburn3720 7 місяців тому

    Hi ,Can you freeze these recipe? thanks from NJ

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  6 місяців тому

      Hi there! You can definitely freeze the lasagna. If you would like to freeze the pot pie, it would probably be best to make the filling and freeze that by itself, then top with puff pastry just before you're ready to bake it. Hope that helps!

  • @jennieevans7109
    @jennieevans7109 Рік тому

    How do you copy and print these recipes?

  • @joanhawkins8552
    @joanhawkins8552 2 роки тому +1

    How is Dottie doing?

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 роки тому

      Thank you for asking! She is doing ok. No more seizures since the 2nd one back in April. She seems to have adjusted to her medications, and we're trying to do things to help her feel more confident in her movements - more grippy rugs on the tile floor, and I just ordered some little paw shaped stickers with silicone grips for her feet. Today is the first day she has worn them, and so far so good! Even with her advanced age and recent health issues, she LOVES her walks. We still average 5 walks a day, between 15 - 35 minutes each!

    • @joanhawkins8552
      @joanhawkins8552 2 роки тому +1

      @@cooking_the_books that is good to hear.

  • @im12huruf
    @im12huruf 2 роки тому +1

    aku suka cara masakmu ini

  • @johnkelley9944
    @johnkelley9944 2 місяці тому +1

    New kitchen?

    • @cooking_the_books
      @cooking_the_books  2 місяці тому

      This was filmed while we were living in California, so old kitchen! 😊

  • @lauraliviola7028
    @lauraliviola7028 Рік тому

    👍🥰❤🥘❤🍗😊👍