If you’ve ever flipped through Broadsheet and sighed at the thought of eating your way through Melbourne’s trendiest restaurants solo, you’re not alone. Don’t get me wrong — I love a good night out as much as the next person. But when the article “Cheeseburgers, Pasta Bake, S’mores: Melbourne Restaurants That Elevate Your Favourite Comfort Food” popped up in my feed, I knew instantly: these dishes were calling out for a Plan4One spin.

Because yes, Gimlet’s $28 cheeseburger sounds divine, but I’m not putting on shoes at 10pm on a Friday night just to get one. And Marion’s vodka pasta bake? Gorgeous, but I don’t exactly have a chef brigade or a pasta-making bench at home.

So here’s the deal. I’ve taken these five Melbourne comfort food icons — elevated by fine-dining chefs — and reimagined them as low-fuss, single-serve recipes you can make in your own kitchen. You’ll get all the pleasure of comfort food with none of the intimidation (or late-night tram rides).

We’re talking:

• Cheeseburger (Gimlet-style, but fridge-friendly)
• Vodka pasta bake (Marion-inspired, solo ramekin magic)
• Tiramisu (Grill Americano’s luxe layers, done in a jar)
• Chocolate mousse (Di Stasio, meet your Tupperware rival)
• S’more (Navi’s petit four made microwave-friendly)

This is comfort food reimagined for the solo cooking crowd — proof that cooking for one doesn’t have to mean boring leftovers or skipping indulgence.

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🍔 The Solo Cheeseburger (Inspired by Gimlet)

Why it works

At Gimlet, the cheeseburger is legendary — made with Gippsland O’Connor beef, double cheese, and a potato bun. My version keeps the soul intact but trims it down to a 15-minute healthy comfort food for one.

Ingredients (for one)

• 150 g beef mince (lean but not too lean)
• Pinch of salt & pepper
• 1 slice cheddar (Colby, tasty, or Swiss if you’re feeling fancy)
• 1 brioche or potato bun
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Lettuce, tomato, onion slices
• Optional: gherkins

Method

1. Shape mince into a patty, season well.
2. Fry in a hot non-stick pan 3–4 mins per side.
3. In the last minute, add cheese and cover to melt.
4. Toast bun lightly.
5. Build your burger: mustard → lettuce → tomato → onion → patty → gherkins.

Nutrition Notes

• Protein boost: 25–30 g protein per serve.
• Lighter option: Swap bun for a wholemeal wrap or lettuce leaves.
• Veg add-ins: Caramelised onion or sautéed mushrooms bulk up fibre.

Swaps

• Turkey mince for a lighter spin.
• Haloumi instead of beef for a vegetarian riff.

Storage & Reheating

• Shape patties ahead and freeze raw between baking paper.
• Reheat cooked patties gently in the microwave (covered, 30s bursts).

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🍝 Vodka Pasta Bake for One (Inspired by Marion)

Why it works

Marion’s vodka pasta bake is all about creamy tomato sauce and crispy baked cheese. Mine keeps that vibe but in a ramekin-sized single serve pasta bake — the ultimate comfort food when cooking for one.

Ingredients

• 75 g dried pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• ½ small onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 150 ml passata
• 1 tbsp vodka (optional, swap chicken stock)
• 2 tbsp cream or Greek yoghurt
• ¼ cup grated mozzarella
• 1 tbsp parmesan

Method

1. Cook pasta until just underdone.
2. Fry onion & garlic. Stir in tomato paste, vodka, then passata. Simmer 5 mins.
3. Stir through cream/yoghurt. Toss in pasta.
4. Transfer to ramekin, scatter cheese on top.
5. Bake 200 °C for 10–12 mins until golden.

Nutrition Notes

• Energy-dense, filling: Great cold-night dinner with carbs + fat + protein.
• Make it lighter: Sub Greek yoghurt for cream.
• Add veg: Spinach, zucchini, or peas fold in easily.

Swaps

• Wholemeal pasta for more fibre.
• Ricotta + mozzarella mix for extra creaminess.

Storage & Reheating

• Make two portions and store one covered in fridge (lasts 2–3 days).
• Reheat in microwave 2 mins with splash of water.

This is one of those easy solo recipes Melbourne inspired dishes that proves you don’t need a crowd to enjoy something special.

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🍫 Espresso-Choc Tiramisu Jar (Inspired by Grill Americano)

Why it works

Grill Americano makes a tableside tiramisu with a surprise chocolate layer. My mug version is equally cheeky, and the hidden chopped chocolate stays. It’s a healthy comfort food for one when you portion-control the indulgence.

Ingredients

• 2–3 sponge fingers (or plain biscuits)
• 2 tbsp strong coffee (cooled)
• 1 tsp marsala/rum (optional)
• 3 tbsp mascarpone (or cream cheese + yoghurt mix)
• 1 tsp icing sugar
• 1 square dark chocolate, chopped
• Cocoa powder to dust

Method

1. Dunk biscuits in coffee + booze quickly.
2. Beat mascarpone + icing sugar until smooth.
3. Layer biscuits → mascarpone → chopped chocolate.
4. Repeat, ending with cream. Chill 1 hr.
5. Dust with cocoa to finish.

Nutrition Notes

• Smaller portion = less sugar than restaurant giant serves.
• Coffee perks you up post-dinner (skip it if you’re sensitive).

Swaps

• Ricotta instead of mascarpone for a lighter dairy.
• Decaf coffee if making at night.

Storage & Reheating

• Keeps 2 days in fridge.
• Serve straight from jar — no washing extra bowls!

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🍮 Cheat’s Chocolate Mousse (Inspired by Di Stasio Pizzeria)

Why it works

Di Stasio’s mousse comes in a sundae glass with cherries. Mine is 2 ingredients + cherries, ready in under 10 mins (plus chill time). A true win for solo cooking dessert cravings.

Ingredients

• 40 g dark chocolate
• 1 egg, separated
• 2–3 cherries (fresh or tinned)

Method

1. Melt chocolate gently. Stir in egg yolk.
2. Whisk egg white to soft peaks.
3. Fold into chocolate gently.
4. Chill 2 hrs. Top with cherries.

Nutrition Notes

• Rich in antioxidants (dark chocolate).
• Protein from the egg.
• Portion-controlled for one.

Swaps

• Vegan? Use coconut cream whipped with cocoa powder.
• Add orange zest for flavour boost.

Storage & Reheating

• Keeps 2–3 days covered in fridge.
• Do not freeze (texture breaks).

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🔥 Microwave S’more Mug (Inspired by Navi)

Why it works

Navi’s fine-dining s’more is elegant. Mine is microwave fast: gooey, messy, nostalgic — the definition of healthy comfort food for one (if you keep the portion small!).

Ingredients

• 1 digestive or Marie biscuit, crushed
• 2 squares milk chocolate
• 1 marshmallow

Method

1. Mug: layer biscuit, chocolate, marshmallow.
2. Microwave 20–30s until marshmallow puffs.
3. Eat warm with spoon.

Nutrition Notes

• Pure treat — enjoy mindfully.
• Portion keeps sugar in check (unlike demolishing a packet).

Swaps

• Add 1 tsp peanut butter.
• Use dark chocolate for a less sweet version.

Storage & Reheating

• Best eaten fresh.
• Not one for leftovers (and honestly, who’s leaving leftovers of a s’more?).

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Final Thoughts: Comfort Food Made Solo-Friendly

Melbourne’s dining scene does comfort food like nowhere else — and Broadsheet’s feature nailed that. But you don’t need to book a table at Gimlet or Marion to enjoy their magic. With a few tweaks, you can channel the same indulgence in your own kitchen.

These recipes are:

• Quick: Most under 30 mins.
• Single-serve: No mountain of leftovers (unless you want them).
• Adaptable: Healthy swaps available, indulgence optional.

So the next time comfort food cravings strike, skip the Uber Eats scroll. Instead, grab your frypan, a ramekin, or a mug — and treat yourself to easy solo recipes Melbourne inspired, designed for solo cooking and anyone who loves cooking for one.

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✅ Your Turn

Which of these five comfort food twists would you try first? Drop me a comment, share this with a mate who always cooks for one, or subscribe to Plan4One for more solo-friendly recipes.