Ridiculously Easy Soup For One Recipes You Need To Try Today!

If you’ve ever found yourself staring into the fridge at 7 p.m. wondering “What on earth can I make for one person?” — you’re in good company. I’ve rounded up three downright simple and satisfying Soup For One Recipes that feel like comfort without the twelve servings of leftovers.

Yes, that’s right: soups that don’t leave you buried in containers for the next three days. And yes, you’ll want one of those fun soup mugs from the CupofMood Soup Mug Collection because let’s face it, presentation counts when you’re dining solo.

Whether you’re cooking for one because you live alone, your partner is out with friends, or you just carved out some solo time — these are the kinds of Soup For One Recipes you’ll want in your back pocket.

Each recipe is inspired by great single-serving ideas from other blogs (such as the roundup of single-serving soups over at Nourish Nutrition Blog and the archive of cooking-for-one soups at One Dish Kitchen).

But rest assured — I’ve written these three recipes from scratch so they feel fresh and different than your usual chicken-noodle trio. And yes, one of them is chicken-based (because who doesn’t love a good, easy chicken soup recipe).

Ready? Let’s soup it up.

Why “Soup For One Recipes” Are the Best Idea You’ll Have All Week

Here’s the deal: when you cook for one, you don’t want to end up with six servings of soup and the freezer looking like a haunted basement of leftovers. You want: quick, easy, portion-controlled, and still tasty enough that you feel fancy. That’s why Soup For One Recipes win big. They:

• Require fewer ingredients (less shopping, less waste).
• Fit beautifully into one good soup mug (remember the CupofMood collection?).
• Give you flexibility — dinner for one, or lunch for tomorrow — your call.

So yes, you’ll find three full recipes below, all detailed from “ingredients” through “process” so you can screenshot, save, or scribble them on a Post-It. And yes, you’ll probably want to buy a mug or two from the CupofMood collection because a great soup deserves a great vessel. Let’s dive in.

Recipe 1: Sunny Lemon-Chicken & Orzo Soup (Single-Serving)

This one ticks the “chicken soup” box, but with a bright, lemony twist that feels lighter than your grandma’s version. Perfect for those days when you want comfort but not coma.

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ small onion (about 2 tablespoons), finely chopped
• 1 small carrot (about ¼ cup), diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced (≈ 2 tablespoons)
• ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ⅓ cup water
• ½ cup cooked chicken, chopped (e.g., rotisserie or leftover breast)
• ⅓ cup dry orzo pasta
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil or butter. Stir in the salt, pepper, dried thyme, minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped carrot and celery. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion turns translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
3. Stir in the orzo pasta and chopped cooked chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender (about 8–9 minutes).
4. Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley if using. Taste and adjust salt/pepper as needed.
5. Pour into your favorite soup mug (from the CupofMood Soup Mug Collection — yes, time to click that link) and enjoy piping hot.

Tip: If you want extra brightness, add a twist of lemon peel or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. This recipe brings all the warmth of classic chicken soup but doesn’t leave you buried in leftovers — a true winner in the “Soup For One Recipes” category.

Recipe 2: Smoky Black-Bean & Chipotle Soup (Single-Serving, Vegetarian Friendly)

Time to shake things up: a vegetarian-friendly option (with a smoky chipotle kick) that still feels hearty and satisfying. This is for those nights when you crave richness without the heavy cream or guilt.

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ small onion, chopped
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili in adobo, minced (or less if you’re timid)
• ½ cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• ¾ cup vegetable broth
• ⅓ cup water
• ¼ cup canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 1 tablespoon corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• Juice of ½ lime
• Optional toppings: small handful cilantro, diced avocado, sprinkle of shredded cheese

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
2. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika and minced chipotle chili. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the black beans, vegetable broth, water, diced tomatoes with juice, and corn. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6–7 minutes.
4. Using an immersion blender (or carefully transfer half to a blender), blend about half the soup until smooth, leaving the other half chunky. This gives you creamy texture plus bean pieces.
5. Stir in the lime juice, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve in a generous soup mug from the CupofMood collection. Top with cilantro, avocado, or cheese if desired.

Why this works as one of the top Soup For One Recipes I recommend: tons of flavor, minimal prep, and zero wasted servings. If you’re feeling fancy, pair with a small side of tortilla chips or a wedge of lime for “restaurant at home” vibes.

Recipe 3: Cozy Sweet-Potato, Coconut & Ginger Soup (Single-Serving, Vegan-Friendly)

And finally: a slightly exotic spin, perfect for when you want something silky, warming and a little bit adventurous. Vegan-friendly, super easy, and once again — made for one.

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (or olive oil)
• ¼ small onion, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ tsp ground ginger)
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ medium sweet potato (about ¾ cup), peeled and diced
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• ⅓ cup light coconut milk (or half & half if you prefer dairy)
• ½ cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnish: sliced green onion, toasted pumpkin seeds, swirl of coconut milk

Instructions

1. Heat the coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, grated ginger, coriander and turmeric. Sauté about 2 minutes until fragrant and the onion softens.
2. Add the diced sweet potato, vegetable broth and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 8–10 minutes until the sweet potato is tender.
3. Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a blender) and blend until smooth.
4. Return to low heat, stir in the coconut milk, then heat gently until warm (do not boil). Taste and season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour into one of those happy-mood soup mugs from the CupofMood collection. Garnish with green onion, pumpkin seeds or a swirl of coconut milk if you’re feeling fancy.

This one is made for those “I need something soothing and a little exotic” nights. It’s creamy without being heavy, and the one-serving size means zero dread of leftover containers. Truly one of my favourite Soup For One Recipes to keep in rotation.

How to Make Soup For One Recipes Actually Work (Tips & Tricks from a Solo-Chef)

Now, I’m not going to pretend I have it all together every night. Nope. Sometimes dinner is cereal and a podcast. But if you *do* want to elevate your solo-dinner game without half your fridge turning into a food archaeology site, here are some tips that help make Soup For One Recipes more manageable and even enjoyable:

• Use small pans and cook in the mug: A 1-quart saucepan or heavy skillet works great for one. If your soup mug is oven- or microwave-safe, you can sauté and finish in the same vessel.
• Plan for the pieces: One serving doesn’t mean “just toss everything in” – chop once, reuse ingredients (e.g., a leftover carrot or half an onion) across multiple soups.
• Buy broader ingredients: Like frozen veggies, canned beans, cooked chicken bits—they’re great when you only need one serving and don’t want to commit to full bags of fresh produce.
• Garnishing matters: A little swirl of coconut milk, or a sprig of parsley, or a wedge of lime turns the experience from “meh” to “ooh.” Mugs from CupofMood *and* a garnish = you’ve got dinner that feels curated for you.
• Clean-up is part of the mood: If you keep things tidy as you go (thank you Gen X broom), one small pot, one spoon, done. No casserole dish graveyard.

One of the blogs I was inspired by lists 24 single-serving soup ideas (check out Nourish Nutrition Blog’s list) — so yeah, the idea of cooking for one isn’t weird or lonely; it’s smart.

And the other source One Dish Kitchen’s single-serving soup archive is full of ideas too.

Why Your CupofMood Soup Mug Collection Deserves a Spot

Okay, here’s the part where I steer you gently toward the CupofMood realm. If you’re going to cook a great soup for one, you *might as well* serve it in something that makes you smile. The Soup Mug Collection at CupofMood features vibrant, cheerful designs that give your solo dinner a little lift. Because let’s face it: when you’re the only diner, your bowl better bring the personality.

By picking one (or two) of those mugs, you’re setting the tone: cooking with intention, eating for you, and treating yourself. Whether you’re sipping down the Sunny Lemon-Chicken soup, the Smoky Black-Bean version, or the Cozy Sweet-Potato coconut delight, the right mug makes a difference. Cozy doesn’t have to mean dull.

Also — if you like the idea of new mugs (or glasses, or drinkware) in your rotation without spending hours browsing, consider joining the CupofMood Club. As a member, you’ll get first dibs on new mugs, glasses and more drinkware as often as every month. Not only do you get cheerful design, you get surprise and delight. Because cooking for one should still feel like a treat.

Wrapping Up Your Solo Soup Game

Let’s recap: we’ve covered three delicious, easy, and varied Soup For One Recipes that you can make this week with minimal fuss. We’ve talked about how to optimize cooking for one, and how a great mug from the CupofMood collection helps elevate the experience. Now it’s time for you to pick your favourite, head into the kitchen (maybe cue up a podcast or your favourite playlist), and cook something just for you.

The Final Sip

Go ahead — click over to the CupofMood Soup Mug Collection, pick a fun mug (or two), and then dive into one of those recipes above. Make it your way. Because you deserve a soup that’s easy, satisfying, and personalized — and a mug that brings a little joy. Happy cooking, happy sipping, and cheers to solo-dinner done right!

I hope you enjoyed these recipes. Drop me a comment on any of my social media channels to let me know if you tried them and how you liked them.

Until next time,

Namaste,

Khadeeja