Cooking for One or Two in a Tiny Kitchen: 6 Easy Meals With Zero Leftovers

Ingredients:

½ pound spaghetti or linguine

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 packed cups fresh spinach

¼ cup grated parmesan

½ teaspoon salt

Black pepper to taste

Method:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain. In the same pot, warm olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Add pasta back to the pot with parmesan and reserved pasta water. Toss until glossy.

2. Creamy Tomato Tortellini (One pot | 15 minutes)

Ingredients:
9 oz cheese tortellini
1 cup marinara sauce
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 cup spinach
2 tablespoons parmesan

Method: Cook tortellini according to package instructions and drain. Return pot to low heat. Stir in marinara and cream cheese until smooth. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Fold in tortellini and top with parmesan.

3. Fried Egg Rice Bowl with Avocado (One skillet | 10 minutes)

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked rice
2 eggs
½ avocado, sliced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Chili flakes to taste
1 teaspoon olive oil

Method: Heat rice. Warm oil in skillet over medium heat. Fry eggs until edges are crisp. Divide rice into bowls and top with eggs and avocado. Drizzle with soy sauce and chili flakes.



4. Mediterranean Couscous Bowl (One pot | 15 minutes)

Ingredients:
1 cup couscous
1 cup boiling water
½ cup chickpeas, drained
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cucumber, chopped
¼ cup feta
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon

Method: Add couscous to a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Cover for 5 minutes, then fluff with fork. Stir in chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, and feta. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Toss and serve.



5. Sheet Pan Sausage & Roasted Vegetables (One pan | 25 minutes)

Ingredients:
2 chicken sausage links
1 zucchini
1 bell pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Method: Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice sausage and vegetables. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on sheet pan. Roast 20–25 minutes until browned.



6. Black Bean Quesadilla (One skillet | 10 minutes)

Ingredients:
1 large flour tortilla
½ cup black beans
½ cup shredded cheese
¼ avocado
Salsa for serving

Method: Heat skillet over medium. Layer beans and cheese on half the tortilla. Fold tortilla over. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Slice and serve with avocado and salsa.

The 8-Item Pantry That Powers These Meals

• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Pasta
• Rice or couscous
• Canned beans
• Jarred marinara
• Frozen vegetables or spinach
• Parmesan cheese

Two Pans, One Cutting Board: The Small-Kitchen Kit

For most apartment kitchens, this setup covers nearly everything: a 10-inch nonstick skillet, medium saucepan, sheet pan, cutting board, chef’s knife, wooden spoon, and colander.

At The Ovelo Hollywood, thoughtfully designed kitchens with stainless steel appliances make everyday cooking feel simple—whether dinner is a quick pasta night or something slower on the weekend. For more ways to make the most of your space, explore the Ovelo Hollywood blog for apartment styling and everyday living inspiration.

Smart Storage Tips for Studio Kitchenettes

In a studio kitchenette, storage matters almost as much as square footage. A few simple upgrades can make the kitchen feel noticeably larger without changing the layout at all.

Vertical storage tends to make the biggest difference. Over-the-door pantry racks are an easy way to store dry goods, snacks, or cooking oils without using cabinet space. Magnetic spice tins on the refrigerator can free up an entire shelf, while cabinet risers make it easier to stack plates, bowls, or pantry staples without losing access to what’s behind them.

Rolling utility carts are another favorite for apartment kitchens—they can slide beside the refrigerator or tuck against a wall when not in use, then pull out when you need extra storage or prep space. Even small additions like wall hooks for utensils or pans can open up drawers and keep the kitchen feeling less crowded.

At The Ovelo Hollywood, thoughtful kitchen layouts make it easier to create routines that feel organized from the start. And with a few renter-friendly storage solutions, even a compact kitchenette can feel efficient, comfortable, and easy to cook in.

Cooking for Two Without Doubling the Dishes

Cooking for two in a small apartment kitchen doesn’t have to mean twice the work—or twice the dishes stacked in the sink afterward.

The easiest approach is to build meals that naturally come together in one place. Pasta served straight from the pot, grain bowls assembled in the same bowls you’ll eat from, or sheet pan dinners where vegetables and protein roast side by side all keep cleanup simple. Cooking this way also makes weeknight dinners feel less like a project and more like part of the evening.

A lot of the best apartment meals are flexible by design. It’s less about preparing multiple sides or courses and more about choosing recipes that feel satisfying without creating extra steps. When everything cooks together—and cleanup stays manageable—it’s much easier to cook at home more often.

Small Kitchen, Great Meals

Good meals don’t require a giant kitchen—just a few reliable ingredients, a pan on the stove, and a space that feels easy to live in.

At The Ovelo Hollywood, apartment homes are designed around those everyday moments—from morning coffee to weeknight cooking to staying in for dinner after a long day in the neighborhood.

A great kitchen makes cooking feel like a hobby, not a chore. Explore The Ovelo Hollywood’s floor plans and amenities to find a space designed for the way you live.