We’ve all heard the jokes about single people eating takeout straight out of the container over the sink in between sobs, but eating alone doesn’t have to be depressing. Cooking a wholesome meal for one after a long day is one of the nicest things you can do for yourself; it’s a great way to unwind and focus on something other than the stresses of the day.

When you live alone, using up your groceries before they go bad can be a challenge. Having extra mouths around to pick up the slack is helpful, but when you’re dining solo, taking a strategic approach to cooking for yourself can be healthy, economical and delicious! Try these tricks for becoming an expert at cooking for one, and don’t be afraid to have a little fun! Pour yourself a glass of nice wine and turn on Songza (just stay away from the playlist called Looking at Pictures of Your Ex Online).

Make a big batch

It might seem counterproductive to make a huge pot of chili for yourself, but it’s a great idea if you want to have quick and easy meals throughout the week. A big batch of chili, soup or pasta sauce can be divided easily into single portions, then frozen for future meals. My friends and I often get together and cook up a few big batches on a Sunday so we can have a variety of quick and healthy meals stocked up. Here are some great big-batch recipes to try:

• Coconut Red Lentil Soup
• Michael Smith’s Vegetarian Chili

Embrace the bowl

Another way to become a pro at eating for one is to set your fridge up with mix and match-able ingredients you can throw together in a bowl for quick lunches and dinners. Cook a big pot of grains, roast up some root vegetables, grab a big clamshell of your favorite greens and build everything from Asian rice bowls to grain-based salads. Need ideas? Lauren Conrad has some tasty looking Healthy Earth Bowl Recipes.

Wrap it up

Wraps are another one of those things you can mix, match and build using a variety of ingredients from your fridge. I’ll go to the grocery store and pick up some sprouted grain wraps, tomatoes, green onions, black beans, lettuce, salsa, cheddar cheese and maybe even a little sour cream and make wraps for lunch all week. You can use whatever fillings you like, and if you want to keep it lighter, try lettuce wraps.

Become a brinner enthusiast

We recently wrote about the latest food craze sweeping the nation: brinner (also known as breakfast for dinner). It’s super easy to make breakfast in a single portion, and if you make extra roasted potatoes, you can just use them throughout the week in you lunches. This Greens and Ham Breakfast Bowl looks especially hearty and filling.

Need more ideas for meals for one? Eating Well has an extensive list of healthy, single-portion recipes here. And when you’re in a pinch for time, you can always stock your freezer with our good-for-you meals for one!

What is your favorite meal to cook for yourself? Share it in the comments or over on Twitter at @luvoinc.