Let’s be honest: cooking for one can feel like more hassle than it’s worth. Between juggling full-size recipes, dealing with excess ingredients, and trying not to waste food, many singles find themselves reaching for takeaway menus more often than they’d like. That’s where meal kits and prepared meals come in, promising to make solo dining both easier and more enjoyable.
But here’s the catch: most meal kit services seem designed with couples and families in mind, leaving singles to figure out their own workarounds. Whether you’re living solo by choice or circumstance, you shouldn’t have to compromise on enjoying fresh, home-cooked meals just because you’re cooking for one.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best meal kit and prepared meal options for singles in Australia, comparing everything from portion sizes and flexibility to value for money and storage solutions.
We’ll help you navigate the world of meal kits as a solo diner, sharing insider tips on making these services work for your lifestyle without ending up with a week’s worth of identical leftovers.
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What to Look For in Meal Kits & Prepared Meals as a Single
Let’s start with the reality check: in Australia, only Pepper Leaf offers true single-serve meal kits. Every other service requires a minimum order of two portions per meal. But don’t let this put you off. Most singles successfully use meal kits by getting creative with two-person servings, and we’ll show you exactly how to make this work.
Here’s what to prioritize when choosing a meal service as a single:
Remember, while working with two-person portions requires some planning, thousands of singles (including me) have successfully used meal kits this way. In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into specific services and share proven strategies for making them work for solo dining.
Pepper Leaf: The Only True Single-Person Meal Kit
If you’re determined to avoid dealing with two-person portions, Pepper Leaf stands alone in the Australian market by offering genuine single-serve meal kits. This Melbourne-based, family-run service has carved out a unique niche since 2015 with their farm-to-table approach and flexible portion sizes.
Now, let’s talk about their single-person boxes. You’ll need to commit to 4-5 meals weekly, which honestly makes sense: they need to make the logistics work financially. In my testing, these portions are spot-on for one person, and it’s refreshing not to deal with leftovers or half-used ingredients.
The good stuff? Everything arrives incredibly fresh. They guarantee delivery within 72 hours of harvest, and you can really taste the difference. Their recipes are refreshingly straightforward (most take about 35 minutes), and the ingredients feel like they’ve come straight from a farmers market rather than a massive warehouse.
But let’s be real about the trade-offs. You’re looking at a pretty limited weekly menu (usually around 8 options), and if you’re vegetarian, you’ve only got about 3 choices each week. It’s also not the cheapest option out there: a 5-meal box runs around $86 (or $17.20 per dinner), which is definitely more per portion than the two-person services. Plus, they only deliver to major metro areas.
I’ve found Pepper Leaf works best for singles who really care about ingredient quality and want to support local producers. If you’re okay with fewer menu choices and can commit to cooking most weeknights, you might love their single-serve approach.
Save $40 on Pepper LeafGet a discount on your first order with this link
That said, if you’re after more menu variety or better value, don’t write off two-person services just yet. In fact, I’ve got some clever strategies for making those work for singles coming up in the next section.
Meal Kits for Singles: Cooking for Two (and Why That’s the Norm)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: almost every meal kit service in Australia requires you to order a minimum of two portions per meal. After testing literally every service available, I can tell you that the major players (HelloFresh, Marley Spoon, Dinnerly, EveryPlate, QuiteLike, My Foodie Box, and YouPlateIt) all stick to this model.
Why? It comes down to simple economics. Shipping individual portions just isn’t cost-effective for these companies. Plus, many ingredients naturally come in sizes better suited for two people. Think about it: when was the last time you used exactly half an onion in a recipe and what happened to the other half?
But here’s the good news: after years of testing meal kits as a single person, I can tell you that cooking for two actually offers some surprising advantages:
First up, you’ll save money. Two-person meal kits work out significantly cheaper per portion than Pepper Leaf’s single serves. HelloFresh charges around $12 per portion for a 3-meal box for two, while budget services like EveryPlate can get as low as $5.99 per portion.
The menu variety is incredible too. While Pepper Leaf gives you 8 weekly options, HelloFresh typically offers 25+ recipes each week, Marley Spoon offers 70+, and Dinnerly now has over 100 weekly choices. This means you can be pickier about what you cook and still find plenty of options you’ll love.
Here’s how the major services compare for singles:
HelloFresh brings the most consistent recipe quality I’ve found, with clear instructions perfect for newer cooks. Their portions tend to be generous, making them great for lunch leftovers.
Marley Spoon offers more adventurous recipes and premium ingredients. If you love cooking and trying new flavours, they’re worth the slightly higher price point.
QuiteLike (owned by Coles) focuses on local Australian ingredients with around 30 weekly options. Their recipes tend to be straightforward but might need some kitchen confidence to perfect.
EveryPlate and Dinnerly are your budget-friendly options. The recipes are simpler, but they’re perfect if you want basic, filling meals without breaking the bank.
My Foodie Box and YouPlateIt are smaller services focused on specific regions (primarily WA, though My Foodie Box has expanded to NSW, VIC, and ACT). They offer quality local ingredients but with more limited weekly menus (12-27 options).
| Service | Starting Price (2p) | Menu Size | Best For | Delivery Areas | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloFresh | $70.00 (3 meals) | 25+ weekly | Reliable, crowd-pleasing recipes | National | My HelloFresh Review |
| Marley Spoon | $77.94 (3 meals) | 70+ weekly | Adventurous cooks, premium ingredients | National (exc. NT) | My Marley Spoon Review |
| Dinnerly | $53.94 (3 meals) | 100+ weekly | Budget-conscious cooks, simple recipes | National | My Dinnerly Review |
| EveryPlate | $45.00 (3 meals) | 30+ weekly | Most affordable, basic meals | National (exc. NT) | My EveryPlate Review |
| QuiteLike | $77.00 (3 meals) | 30 weekly | Supporting local producers | Major metro areas | My QuiteLike Review |
| My Foodie Box | $86.95 (3 meals) | 27 weekly | Fresh WA/local ingredients | WA, NSW, VIC, ACT | My My Foodie Box Review |
| YouPlateIt | $103.00 (3 meals) | 12 weekly | Perth locals, flexible portions | Perth metro only | My YouPlateIt Review |
All prices include delivery fees where applicable. Prices and menu sizes current as of 2025.
The best part? These services all let you easily skip weeks or pause your subscription, so you’re not locked into cooking for two every single week. In the next section, I’ll share my tried-and-tested tips for making these two-person portions work perfectly for solo dining.
A Great Alternative: Prepared Meals for Solo Diners
After years of testing both meal kits and prepared meals, I can tell you that ready-made meals can be an absolute game-changer for singles. No cooking, no leftovers to manage, and perfect portion control every time.
The prepared meal market in Australia has exploded recently, and the quality has improved dramatically. Gone are the days of bland, frozen TV dinners. Today’s prepared meals are fresh, chef-designed, and often rival restaurant quality.
For singles, prepared meals solve many common frustrations:
- True single portions (no dealing with leftovers)
- Zero prep or cooking time
- Minimal washing up
- Most meals last 7-10 days in the fridge
- Freeze perfectly for longer storage
- Can be cheaper per portion than meal kits
Most prepared meal services also offer fantastic variety. While meal kits give you 2-5 recipes per week, you can order 7+ different prepared meals in a single delivery and build up a perfect “menu” in your fridge or freezer.
Plus, modern prepared meal services offer specific dietary options that can be hard to find with meal kits. Whether you’re counting macros, following a specific diet, or just watching your calories, there’s likely a prepared meal service that caters exactly to your needs.
In my opinion, prepared meals can be an even better solution than meal kits for many singles. Yes, you miss out on the cooking experience, but you gain incredible convenience and flexibility. I often recommend mixing both: maybe meal kits for nights when you enjoy cooking, and prepared meals for busy weekdays or when you just can’t be bothered.
In the next section, I’ll share my top recommendations for prepared meal services that work particularly well for solo diners.
Top Prepared Meal Recommendations for Singles
For many singles, prepared meals can be an even better solution than meal kits. No cooking required, true single portions, and zero food waste. Plus, with the quality of prepared meals improving dramatically in recent years, you’re no longer stuck with bland, frozen dinners. After testing virtually every prepared meal service in Australia, here are my top recommendations for singles.
My Muscle Chef: Best Overall for Singles
After testing dozens of prepared meal services, My Muscle Chef stands head and shoulders above the rest for single diners. They’ve managed to solve the two biggest challenges of prepared meals: taste and value. With meals starting from just $10.95, you’re paying less than most meal kits per portion. Plus, their flavors are genuinely impressive (their Salmon Risotto completely changed my perception of what a microwave meal could be).
What makes them perfect for singles:
- Over 70 different meals on their menu
- Can freeze for longer storage
- Heat in just 90 seconds
- Great portion control
- Clear nutritional information
Just be aware they have a minimum order of $99 (around 10 meals), but this actually works brilliantly for stocking up your fridge for a couple of weeks.
Get Up To $120 Off Your First 6 My Muscle Chef OrdersClick this link and use code SAVE120
Chefgood: Premium Choice for Food Lovers
Chefgood is my premium pick, especially if you’re focused on eating quality, chef-designed meals. While slightly pricier (meals from $11.20), they deliver restaurant-quality food that’s perfect for singles who appreciate good cooking but don’t always have time to do it themselves.
What sets them apart:
- Genuinely delicious, chef-crafted meals
- Weekly rotating menu
- Great dietary options (vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free)
- Calorie-controlled portions
- Premium ingredients
- No artificial additives
YouFoodz: Best Budget-Friendly Option
If you’re looking to keep costs down without compromising on quality, YouFoodz offers an excellent solution for singles. With meals starting from just $9.29 when buying in bulk, they’re one of the most affordable prepared meal services available.
What makes them great for singles:
- Over 40 different meals on the menu
- Perfect portion sizes for lighter meals
- Quick 3-minute microwave cooking
- Great value when bulk ordering
- National delivery network
- Fresh, not frozen meals
All three services offer reliable delivery across most of Australia, and their meals can happily sit in your fridge for 7-10 days. This means you can order a good stockpile and always have quality meals ready to go.
I often recommend singles mix these services with meal kits. Maybe use meal kits when you have time to cook, and keep some prepared meals for those busy days when cooking feels impossible. It’s all about finding the right balance for your lifestyle.
Tips for Singles Using Meal Kits
After testing literally every meal kit service in Australia and cooking hundreds of meals for one, I want to share what I’ve learned about making these services work when you’re flying solo.
Planning Your Portions
My first big tip: forget about counting meals and focus on portions instead. Think about it: a 3-meal box for 2 people actually gives you 6 different portions to play with. I’ve found ordering a 4-person box with 3 meals works brilliantly, giving me 12 portions that can last nearly two weeks if I store them properly.
Eating in the Right Order
Not all ingredients are created equal when it comes to storage time. Here’s my food priority list that I’ve developed through plenty of trial and error:
Fresh salads and herbs need to be eaten first (trust me, sad wilted lettuce is no one’s friend). Then tackle your chicken dishes within 3-4 days. Fish and other meats can usually hang around a bit longer, especially when stored properly. I learned this the hard way after letting some beautiful salmon sit in my fridge for too long!
Storage Secrets
Some meals are fantastic for storage while others definitely aren’t. Stews, curries, and pasta dishes often taste even better after a day or two (I swear my last HelloFresh curry was actually tastier the next day). But anything promising to be ‘crispy’? Eat that straight away.
My golden rule: portion everything before storing. Yes, it takes an extra minute, but you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not trying to separate frozen chunks of pasta at 10pm. Let everything cool down first, and invest in some good containers. Your future self will thank you. meats can usually hang around a bit longer, especially when stored properly. I learned this the hard way after letting some beautiful salmon sit in my fridge for too long!
Reheating Tips
The microwave isn’t just convenient, it’s actually perfect for most meal kit leftovers. But here’s something I discovered: some components are better cooked fresh. For example, that chicken curry with rice? Reheat the curry but cook fresh rice. It takes barely any extra time and tastes so much better.
For anything crispy or crumbed, chuck it in the oven or air fryer. It might take a few extra minutes, but it’s absolutely worth it for getting that crunch back.
Subscription Smarts
Here’s how I manage my subscriptions: I order a bigger box every second week, using the off weeks to clear my freezer and treat myself to takeaway or restaurants. There’s no shame in skipping weeks – in fact, it’s the smart way to do it!
And my number one tip? Only order meals you’re genuinely excited to eat twice. When you’re cooking for one, every meal kit dish is basically two meals, so make sure you actually want those leftovers. I’ve learned this lesson after forcing myself through three servings of a dish I wasn’t crazy about!
Final Verdict & Recommendations
After spending years testing every meal kit and prepared meal service available in Australia, I can confidently say there’s no perfect one-size-fits-all solution for singles. However, there are some brilliant options depending on what matters most to you.
If you enjoy cooking and don’t mind dealing with leftovers, I’d recommend starting with HelloFresh. Their recipes are consistently excellent, portions are generous (perfect for lunch the next day), and their instructions are crystal clear. Yes, you’ll be cooking for two, but their flavours and quality make the extra portions worth it.
For anyone watching their budget, EveryPlate is your best friend. At just $5.99 per portion, you’re actually saving money compared to grocery shopping. The recipes are simpler than HelloFresh, but they’re still tasty and satisfying. I actually find their simpler approach makes dealing with leftovers even easier.
If you absolutely want single portions and don’t mind paying a premium, Pepper Leaf is your only real meal kit option. Just be prepared for a limited menu and higher cost per meal. Honestly, though? I find the two-person boxes from other services offer better value and variety.
Save $40 on Pepper LeafGet a discount on your first order with this link
For those nights when you just can’t be bothered cooking, it’s worth keeping some prepared meals in your fridge. My Muscle Chef is my go-to recommendation for singles, offering restaurant-quality meals that actually taste great after microwaving. Their minimum order of 10 meals might seem like a lot, but they last ages in the fridge and freeze perfectly.
The real winning strategy I’ve found is mixing services based on your weekly schedule. I’ll often get a meal kit delivery for nights when I have time to cook, then keep some My Muscle Chef meals for busy days. It’s all about finding the right balance for your lifestyle.
Remember, there’s no shame in skipping weeks or trying different services until you find what works for you. The beauty of all these services is their flexibility – use that to your advantage!
