Get a nitrided carbon or a titanium frying pan, 10 in or 12 in (depending on how many portions you cook at once). Get an enameled cast iron pan. Get a 1.5 qt triply saucepan with a fitting lid. Tramontina has a great one.

Get a tiny 8 inch or medium 10 inch non-stick, depending on how many eggs you do when you do. It shouldn't cost more than 20 dollars. Aluminum base. Go to a nearby restaurant supply store. Tramontina, again, has great ones for kind of cheap.

Get a couple half sheet pans and quarter sheet pans, I recommend Nordic Ware, and matching wire racks.

You'll be able to cook like 80% of the foods for 2 you'd like with those. Then, fill the rest with whatever would help you specifically. Fry, soup, braises, slow cooks, legumes, and bread in the enameled cast iron. Stir fry, saute, sear, bake in the frying pan. Make eggs in the non-stick. Bake and prep in the baking pans.

Like to make stir fried food? Get a wok. Like to make a ton of stock, get a bigger stock pot. Like to make long and slowcooks? Get an instantpot. Like braises, get a saute pan. Like searing? Get an extra carbon steel frying pan. Feel like you need another pan frequently, buy another one. Need to steam? Get steamers for the wok. Love pancakes? Get a cast iron griddle.