12 Cheap Toaster Oven Dinners for Seniors Living Alone (No Big Oven to Heat)

12 cheap toaster oven dinners for one or two. No big oven, about 10 minutes on your feet, a few dollars a plate. I'm Hank. Every recipe is below. Tip: line the tray, keep foil off the heating elements. CHAPTERS 0:00 Why I cook small now 0:54 Why the toaster oven works 1:35 #1 Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs 2:50 #2 Honey Mustard Salmon 4:18 #3 Pork Chop with Apples 5:43 #4 Spinach Cheese Egg Cups 7:19 #5 Open-Faced Tuna Melt 8:39 #6 Easy Meatball Sub 10:08 #7 Sausage Potato Foil Packet 11:24 #8 One-Pan Chicken and Rice 12:51 #9 Salisbury Steak 14:14 #10 Pita Pizza 15:21 #11 Bean and Cheese Tostadas 16:49 #12 Mini Meatloaf for Two 18:27 Wrapping up RECIPES 1) LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN THIGHS WITH GREEN BEANS 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs, 2 cups green beans, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon pepper, pinch garlic powder and salt. 400°F. Chicken and beans on a lined tray, oil and season. Bake 20-25 min to 165°F. Swaps: tenders (5 min less); lemon; broccoli or asparagus. 2) HONEY MUSTARD SALMON WITH BROCCOLI 1 salmon fillet (5-6 oz), 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Dijon or yellow mustard, 1½ cups broccoli, 1 tsp olive oil, salt, pepper. 400°F. Honey mustard on salmon, skin down, oiled broccoli around it. Bake 12-15 min to 145°F. Swaps: cod or tilapia (10 min); maple syrup; frozen broccoli (+3 min). 3) PORK CHOP WITH APPLES AND SWEET POTATO 1 boneless pork chop (¾ inch), 1 small sweet potato in ½-inch cubes, ½ apple sliced, 1 tbsp melted butter, ½ tsp cinnamon, salt, pepper. 400°F. Sweet potato in half the butter, bake 10 min. Add pork and apple, brush with rest, season. Bake 15-18 min to 145°F. Rest 3 min. Swaps: potato or squash; canned peach; chicken tenders to 165°F. 4) SPINACH AND CHEESE EGG CUPS 3 eggs, ¼ cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry), ¼ cup shredded cheddar, 2 tbsp milk, salt, pepper, 2 greased ramekins or mugs. 350°F. Whisk eggs and milk, stir in the rest, pour into ramekins. Bake 18-22 min until set and puffed. Swaps: broccoli or pepper; any cheese; add diced ham. 5) OPEN-FACED TUNA MELT 1 can tuna (5 oz, drained), 2 tbsp mayo, 1 tbsp chopped pickle or relish, 2 slices bread, 2 slices cheese, tomato slices. 400°F. Toast bread plain 3 min. Spread tuna mix on toast, add tomato and cheese. Bake 5-7 min. Swaps: canned chicken or salmon; lemon; English muffin. 6) EASY MEATBALL SUB 6 small frozen cooked meatballs, ½ cup marinara, 1 sub roll, 2 slices provolone or mozzarella. 375°F. Meatballs and sauce in a covered dish, 20 min to 165°F. Fill roll, top with cheese, bake 3-4 min. Swaps: hot dog bun; sausage link; seasoned tomato sauce. 7) SMOKED SAUSAGE AND POTATO FOIL PACKET 6 oz cooked smoked sausage in coins, 1 cup canned sliced potatoes (drained), ½ bell pepper and ¼ onion in strips, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp paprika, pinch garlic powder. 400°F. Pile on foil, oil, season, crimp shut. Bake 20-25 min. Open carefully. Swaps: kielbasa or hot dogs; fresh potatoes (+10 min); green beans. 8) ONE-PAN CHICKEN AND RICE ½ cup instant rice, ½ cup chicken broth, ¼ cup cream of chicken soup, ¼ cup frozen peas, 6 oz chicken in bite-size pieces, salt, pepper, thyme. 375°F. Stir rice, broth, soup, peas in a greased loaf pan. Chicken on top, season, cover with foil. Bake 30-35 min to 165°F. Rest covered 5 min, fluff. Swaps: mushroom or celery soup; mixed veg; add cheddar. 9) SALISBURY STEAK WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY 1 frozen beef patty (¼ lb), ½ cup jarred brown gravy, ¼ cup sliced mushrooms, ¼ onion sliced thin. 375°F. Patty, onion, mushrooms and gravy in a small dish. Cover, bake 25-30 min to 160°F. Uncover last 5 min. Swaps: fresh beef patty; packet gravy; extra onion. 10) PITA PIZZA WITH SPINACH AND PEPPERONI 1 pita, 3 tbsp pizza sauce, ⅓ cup mozzarella, handful baby spinach, 8-10 pepperoni, pinch Italian seasoning. 425°F. Sauce, then spinach UNDER the cheese, then pepperoni. Bake on foil 7-9 min. Swaps: tortilla or muffin; chicken or ham; mushrooms. 11) BEAN AND CHEESE TOSTADAS 3 small corn tortillas, ½ cup refried beans, ¼ cup cheddar, salsa, shredded lettuce. 400°F. Oil tortillas, bake 5-6 min, flip, 3-4 min more. Add beans and cheese, bake 4 min. Top with salsa and lettuce. Swaps: mashed pinto beans; flour tortillas (1 min less); chicken. 12) MINI MEATLOAF FOR TWO ½ lb ground beef, 1 egg, ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or 1 slice bread), 2 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp chopped onion, ½ tsp salt, pepper. Glaze: 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tsp brown sugar. 375°F. Soak crumbs in milk, add the rest, mix gently. Shape 2 palm-size loaves, glaze. Bake 25-30 min to 160°F. Rest 5 min. Swaps: saltines or oats; turkey to 165°F; honey. Which one are you making first? Tell me in the comments. Subscribe for next time: a week of suppers from one bag of groceries. Take care of yourself. Hank Times vary by toaster oven. Check meat with a thermometer. #ToasterOven #CookingForOne #SeniorCooking