Best Cooking for One or Two Books of 2026

Magnolia Table, Volume 2: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering is a cookbook filled with 145 new recipes from Joanna Gaines, inspired by her family's love of food being shared. From breakfast to dinner, readers will find dishes to gather around, beautifully photographed and ready to be brought into their own homes. This book showcases recipes from Magnolia Table, Silos Baking Co, and Magnolia Press, including Mushroom-Gruyére Quiche, Grilled Bruschetta Chicken, and Lemon-Lavender Tart. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone who loves to cook and entertain, and it is a great addition to any cookbook collection.

Half Baked Harvest Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard is a New York Times bestseller cookbook that offers over 125 easy and delicious recipes for all types of cooks, including vegan and vegetarian options. The book is perfect for those who want to serve their loved ones beautiful food without working too hard. The recipes are quicker, more manageable, and include options for one-pot meals, night-before meal prep, and instant pot or slow cooker recipes. The book is chock-full of gorgeous photography and recipes that live up to them too, making it a great companion for home cooks who are pressed for time or just starting out.

The "Air Fryer Cookbook: 600 Effortless Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users" is an excellent addition to any kitchen, especially for those who love quick and easy meals. With a wide variety of recipes for poultry, beef, pork, vegetables, and vegetarian dishes, there is something for everyone. The book also includes recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and desserts. The most significant advantage of this cookbook is that it provides quick and hassle-free frying options. Overall, this independently published cookbook is a must-have for air fryer enthusiasts who want to explore new and exciting recipes.

"Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico: A Cookbook" is a highly personal and intimate cookbook that takes readers on a culinary journey throughout Mexico. With over 100 transportive recipes, Rick Martínez shares his deeply personal taste memories and experiences inspired by his travels. From succulent shrimp tamales to herb and cheese meatballs bathed in a smoky chipotle sauce, the dishes in this cookbook showcase the diversity and richness of Mexican cuisine. Martínez's poignant essays throughout lend context to quilt together a story that is rich and beautiful, touching and insightful. This cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves Mexican food and culture."

The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook, Gift Edition: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make (The Complete ATK Cookbook Series) is a must-have for newlyweds, college graduates, and empty nesters. America's Test Kitchen experts re-engineered recipes to serve just two, so you don't have to worry about leftovers. The introduction includes clever shopping strategies to reduce waste and smart storage tricks to help extend the freshness of key ingredients. The book offers 650 of their best recipes, from soups and stews to stir-fries and meatloaf, even cakes and pies. This book is the go-to gift for small families or couples who want to cook up a storm in the kitchen.

The Half Baked Harvest Cookbook: Recipes from My Barn in the Mountains by Tieghan Gerard features 125 farm-to-table recipes that are both flavorful and easy to make. Gerard's unique approach to comfort food has made her blog and cookbook series a hit. From Korean beef bibimbap to salted caramel-stuffed chocolate cookies, each recipe is accompanied by a beautiful photograph that will make your mouth water. The book has received glowing reviews from Epicurious, Colorado Homes Magazine, BookPage, The New Potato, and The Chalkboard Mag. This cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves delicious, creative recipes that are perfect for both weekday nights and weekend revels.

The Well Plated Cookbook by Erin Clarke is a must-read for anyone looking for quick, healthy, and delicious recipes. With over 130 new recipes, Clarke offers clever recipe hacks that will help you put a healthy meal on the table any night of the week. What sets this cookbook apart is Clarke's approachability, slimmed-down, and budget-friendly recipes, which are perfect for cooks of every level. The cookbook includes tips to store and reheat leftovers, as well as clever ideas to turn them into an entirely new dish. Overall, The Well Plated Cookbook strikes a perfect balance of excitement, scrumptiousness, approachability, and healthiness, making it a great addition to any home cook's collection.

This two-volume set of the acclaimed cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, is a must-have for any fan of Julia Child and lover of French cuisine. The first volume contains over 500 savory recipes, while the second volume presents an additional 250 recipes that take the home cook's skills to the next level. The precise instructions and detailed line drawings make even the most daunting recipes approachable. Julia Child's impact on American cuisine is immeasurable, and this cookbook is a testament to her immense talent and passion for French cooking.

Natasha's Kitchen: 100+ Easy Family-Favorite Recipes You'll Make Again and Again: A Cookbook is a comprehensive collection of over 100 family-friendly recipes that are easy to prepare using readily available ingredients. The author, Natasha Kravchuk, shares her passion for cooking and the joy she finds in creating and sharing recipes. The book includes traditional Ukrainian recipes passed down from her mother, such as classic Borscht and Pierogis, as well as menus for sharing and easy entertaining. With beautiful, mouthwatering photographs accompanying the recipes, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone looking for delicious meals that are quick and easy to prepare.

Lidia's a Pot, a Pan, and a Bowl: Simple Recipes for Perfect Meals: A Cookbook is the companion cookbook to the upcoming public-television series Lidia’s Kitchen: Home Cooking. Lidia Bastianich makes Italian cooking easy for everyone with this new, beautifully designed, easy-to-use cookbook. With more than 100 homey, simple-to-prepare recipes that require fewer steps and fewer ingredients, Lidia's new creations represent Italian food at its most essential—guaranteed to transport home cooks to Italy with a minimum of fuss and muss. This book is a must-have for those who love Italian food and want to experiment with simple, flavorful recipes.