I did this for the first time recently, and it was quite fun. Maybe you could find a course of a few classes.

I am cooking for two, but always make stuff that has 4-6 servings or so.

Day 1: meal one . Put the rest in a nice leftover container
Day 2: meal two. Put the rest of that in a leftover container (I like Ziploc's square ones)
Day 3: reheat meal one and maybe add a fresh salad or something
Day 4: reheat meal two and add something new to that--crusty bread maybe

I just keep going like that, and save the leftover days for when I know I'll have a busy day (I volunteer at my local animal shelter). Then maybe once a week we eat out or get a take out. And maybe once a week I make individual pizzas using purchased flatbread, sauce, cheese and toppings. And maybe a salad.

If you have more than you can finish in two meals, just pop it in the freezer if it can be frozen. Homemade soups and stews do very well for that.

Good luck!

I make full recipes and either freeze what I don't eat for another time or I eat leftovers a couple of days afterwards.

This works for me and it really cuts down my cooking time - as all I'll have to do is pull something out of the freezer. Thaw it out. Heat it up and eat.

I cook on the weekends, freeze meals, and then thaw and cook during the week. This saves me eating the same thing for several days in a row.

It's been years since it's been more than just me for which to cook; kids grew up, separated from husband, moved etc., so our experiences are very different. This probably won't solve much of your problem, but I regularly get grocery's rotisserie chicken, and use it in several ways for a week or more: First, thighs and drums, with baked potato/salad/whatever. Second, chicken curry (w rice, yogurt, chutney. Third, chicken soup.

I had a similar problem when I was single. Of course, it was nowhere as traumatic as you. Still, I could not motivate myself to cook meals. I did a few things that helped. First, I tried some of these meal programs (blue apron, etc..). I did not like it too much and it is expensive. What I ended up doing what to set time aside on weekends and cook three or four different kind of meals for the coming week. I would cook a bigger quantity and then freeze them. During the week, all I had to do when coming back from work would be to grab one of them and heat it up. I also experimented with the slow cooker. This is a nice approach too. I would throw stuff in the cooker in the morning before heading out the door and come back to a warm meal in the evening. The leftovers, I would freeze for later.. The painful memories it triggers, I would not presume giving you any advice on it. I am lucky enough that I never experienced grief like you must be. I wish you the best.

It is hard to cook for one, especially when you are grieving. I went through a period after a painful breakup, of just pasta and bagged salad too. What I found helpful was to create a beautiful table so I could sit down. Sometimes I invited a friend, sometimes, I'd prepare a meal and read through it.

There are no quick answers. Allow yourself time to grieve and know that things will change. They always do.

My first concern is what kind of food do you like? Italian, Thai, meat veggie potato? Some of each?

Get a lot of smaller sized container to store food in the fridge and freezer.
Foods that freeze well, soups w/o rice or pasta in them. Just keep some rice in the fridge and put in a bowl, nuke some soup.
Lasagna freezes well. Make beans in a crock pot.

Roasted vegetables are something I enjoy.

I have a kitchen aid mixer with a dough hook. Bread making is easy, peezy! Cut a bread recipe in half. Nothing improves a meal like good fresh bread.

Don't underestimate breakfast for dinner. Eggs are healthy and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Toast, bacon. Oatmeal with walnuts and brown sugar.

Hang in there. I am truly sorry for your loss. My father just passed Dec 23. My Mum is doing a similar transition.

I am cooking for 4 (and it feels like 6 or 8 since they are working guys) and never seem to have leftovers, but the advice to go ahead and cook larger quantities and make your own "frozen dinners" out of it all or what you don't use sounds like a place to start.

Have you thought about Blue Apron or one of those semi-healthy delivery services for a few meals? Might help motivate to get the prep done and again freeze and eat whenever.

Dips and salsas with vegetables and good chips. Bread and cheese. Instant noodles. Buy organic. Ice cream, whatever. Take care of yourself. Take vitamin supplements. Walk. I'm so sorry you lost your husband. I cook for my husband every day and probably couldn't bear to cook if he died.

a very dark period after my husband died very suddenly. It happened when we were in the process of moving from NC to GA to live with my Dad and see him through until the end. I think what saved me from falling apart was taking care of Dad. It is hard to cook for one, but I think the folks who have posted on this thread have good ideas. While Dad was alive, I used to have the whole family over for Sunday dinner. After Dad died, I kept on having my family over on Sunday, then I would eat the leftovers during the week.

Maybe you can find someone--another single who likes to cook, and you can swap dishes from time-to-time. If you make a large pot of soup, share part of it with someone else in exchange for something they have cooked.

Good luck and let us know what you came up with! "hi"

are the major food groups. No need to cook, really. I hope you find peace.

Bless your heart, I dread to think of how I would feel if I lost my "ole boy". When you are down and sad, good food and a well-cooked meal can brighten up your outlook on life. It is hard to think about cooking at a time like this, but the effort will be well worth it.

My favorite comfort food is good homemade soup. I like just about any kind and make a pot of soup almost every week. You can eat soup when it is done, put some in the fridge to eat the next day and freeze the rest ( I have chicken gumbo and white bean and tomato soups in my freezer now.

Just heat some soup, make a salad or sandwich, or some cheese and bread and you have a delicious healthy meal.

If you need any soup recipes, I have many, all are easy, made with fresh, natural ingredients..

Lost number, didn't have your address. So, so sorry for your loss.

You know, have the same problem....

Now I cook for two, freeze one.

Or I just eat a pint of ice cream.

Great advice!

I'm getting there, just needed some fellow advice. I made some navy been soup tonight and shared with a neighbor who is down with the flu.

I bought some french bread as advised. I'll freeze the leftovers. Baby steps. *sigh* In any event I ran into the girl scouts and bought some cookies!