Some meals just make you feel like you’ve got your life together.
This is one of them.
You crack a couple of eggs into a rich, spiced tomato sauce, let everything bubble away for a few minutes… and suddenly you’ve got something that looks (and tastes) like café brunch—but cost you about four bucks.
Welcome to Day 3 of the Plan4One 14-Day Meal Plan, where we keep things simple, budget-friendly, and seriously satisfying with a one-pan shakshuka.
It’s bold, warming, packed with protein, and perfect for those nights when you want something proper without putting in much effort.
🍳 Why This Works for One
This recipe ticks all the solo-cooking boxes:
- One pan, minimal cleanup
- Uses cheap pantry staples
- High-protein and filling
- Ready in under 20 minutes
And best of all:
👉 You won’t be stuck eating it for three days straight.
🛒 Ingredients (Single Serve)
- 200g canned crushed tomatoes (about ½ a standard can)
- ½ red capsicum, sliced
- ¼ onion, finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ cup spinach (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional toppings:
- Feta cheese (crumbled)
- Fresh herbs (parsley or coriander)
- Chili flakes for heat
To serve:
- 1 slice crusty bread or toast
🔄 Smart Swaps (Keep It Flexible)
- No capsicum? → Use zucchini or mushrooms
- No spinach? → Skip it or use frozen
- No paprika? → Use cumin or chili powder
- Want it heartier? → Add a spoon of chickpeas
👉 This is a “use what you’ve got” kind of meal.
👨🍳 Method (One Pan, No Stress)
- Build the base
Heat olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, capsicum, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. - Add flavour
Stir in paprika and cook for 30 seconds to bring out the aroma. - Create the sauce
Pour in the canned tomatoes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then let it simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. - Add greens
Stir in spinach and let it wilt into the sauce. - Crack the eggs
Make two small wells in the sauce and crack the eggs into them. Cover the pan and cook for 4–5 minutes, or until the eggs are set to your liking. - Finish & serve
Top with feta, herbs, or chili flakes if using. Serve straight from the pan with toast on the side.
⏱ Time Breakdown
- Prep: 5–8 minutes
- Cook: 12 minutes
- Total: ~20 minutes
💸 Cost Breakdown (Approx.)
- Canned tomatoes: $1.00
- Eggs: $1.50
- Veggies: $1.50
- Extras: ~$0.50
Total: ≈ $4–$5 per serve
🧊 Make It Tomorrow (Leftover Hack)
If you’ve got leftover sauce (before adding eggs), you’ve got options:
Option 1: Repeat, but better
- Reheat sauce
- Crack in fresh eggs
- Boom—new meal, zero effort
Option 2: Turn It Into Something Else
- Use as a pasta sauce
- Spread on toast + top with a fried egg
- Add beans for a quick stew
🛒 Use This Ingredient Again
This recipe continues the no-waste flow:
- Canned tomatoes → also used in your dahl
- Spinach → shows up again later in the week
- Eggs → used across multiple meals
👉 You’re not buying ingredients—you’re building a system.
🥗 Nutritional Highlights
- High in protein (thanks to eggs)
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
- Naturally gluten-free (just choose GF bread if needed)
- Filling without being heavy
📦 Storage & Reheating
- Best eaten fresh
- Sauce (without eggs): store in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat gently and add fresh eggs when ready
💬 Final Thoughts
This is one of those recipes that feels a bit more impressive than it actually is.
It looks great, tastes great, and comes together in one pan with ingredients you probably already have.
And once you’ve made it once, it becomes a go-to.
That’s the whole idea here:
👉 Simple meals that make solo cooking feel easy—not like a chore.
👉 What’s Next?
Tomorrow, we’re keeping things just as easy with a quick avocado & bean toast—a café-style breakfast (or lazy dinner) that actually fills you up.
📣 Enjoyed This?
If this made your life easier:
- Share it with someone who loves a good brunch-for-dinner moment
- Save it for your next low-effort night
- Or explore the full 14-Day Meal Plan for One on Plan4One.com
You’re three meals in—and already cooking smarter 👍
