It is often very difficult to cook for just one helping (some ingredients come in packages too big for that, and will spoil if not used quite fast).

Therefore, besides cooking equipment, get yourself:

Freezer + Microwave Oven + Tupperware.

Step 1: Cook 4 or more helpings, eat one, put rest in Tupperware, freeze.

Step 2: goto step 1 till freezer is full.

Step 3: eat meals from freezer (heat in Microwave oven) till there is room for 3 or more helpings.

Step 4: cook again for 4 or more helpings, eat one, freeze 3 (or more) till freezer is full.

Step 5: goto step 3.

Whenever you feel like it, you can interrupt above mentioned proceedings with single helping stuff like pancakes, scrambled eggs or whatever.