College life is full of activity, and many students are living alone for the first time. As such, balancing classes and late-night study sessions calls for meal ideas that are quick, easy, and won’t break the bank.
With the right recipes and preparation, it’s definitely achievable. This guide features notch meals and money-saving tips from real college cooking adventures.
With these great recipes that won’t eat into your pocket, you can say goodbye to relying on instant ramen. Let’s make sure you stay energized and nourished throughout the semester!
Firstly, let’s talk about some tips for cooking in college.
College Cooking Tips
Cooking Tip 1: Embrace the Freezer
The best cooking advice for college students is to utilize your freezer. You won’t have to eat the same thing all the time or waste food by freezing vegetables and meat. For quick and easy meals, keep these essentials in your freezer:
- Bags of your favorite frozen vegetables and diced frozen onions and peppers
- Cooked and frozen rotisserie chicken (Costco or Walmart offer good value).
- Cook your boneless chicken breasts, dice them, and store them in the freezer.
- Ground beef cooked: Drain, cool, and freeze in a flat layer after browning a few pounds.
- Chicken tenders frozen: Season as necessary while cooking from frozen in a skillet with water.
- Consider storing additional items like tortillas and pepperoni, cheese in the freezer, and some fresh bread and butter in the fridge.
Cooking Tip 2: Eat What You Have
Adjusting to a smaller pantry in college means learning to make the most of what you have. Many of these meal ideas here use the same basic ingredients in various ways so that you won’t get bored.
Buy a few fresh fruits and vegetables at a time and use them fully. For example, use a cucumber in a salad, sandwich, and pasta. An avocado can go on toast, in a quesadilla, or on nachos. Always use what you have before buying more, and try adding fresh produce to every meal. Affordable options like apples, bananas, and carrots are great staples to keep on hand.
Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas
Here are some budget-friendly meal ideas for you as a college student. We recommend buying some of these ingredients in large quantities beforehand so you can reuse the remaining instead of buying them in bits. Also, consider preserving any leftovers so they don’t go bad.
- Macaroni and Cheese
Total Cost: Approximately $1.70; filling prices may vary.
One of the easiest meals you can prepare as a student, and as simple as it sounds, macaroni and cheese, this recipe can be a go-to meal for you when you want a quick dish that doesn’t take long to cook.
- Curried Chickpeas With Spinach
Total Cost: Approximately $2.85; filling prices may vary.
Serve warm curried chickpeas with spinach in a bowl as the autumn evenings turn cooler. This flavorful vegan dish is a great way to share a meal with vegetarians and meat eaters because it is delicious and filling.
- Homemade Pizza
Total Cost: Approximately $3.45; filling prices may vary.
Use a pre-made crust or pita to make your pizza. You can experiment with vegetables and sauces from your fridge or use your favorite toppings. Compared to ordering takeout, making your pizza is a faster and potentially healthier option.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Total Cost: Approximately $3.20, filling prices may vary.
This simple three-ingredient grilled cheese pairs perfectly with curried chickpeas and spinach. Try using mayo on the outside instead of butter for an extra-crispy sandwich.
- Tortilla Wraps
Total Cost: $0.20 each; filling prices may vary.
Always have tortillas available to make quick and easy wraps with deli meat, vegetables, or other ingredients. Both warm and cold wraps offer a creative twist on the traditional sandwich.
- Ramen Noodle Soup
Total Cost: Approximately $1.70, filling prices may vary.
Elevate your ramen noodle packet by turning it into a great and satisfying soup. Add frozen vegetables and chicken to create a heartier, more substantial meal.
- Tuna Melt
Total Cost: Approximately $2.20; filling prices may vary.
Canned tuna is a convenient and budget-friendly choice for college students. This recipe elevates it to a level where you’d never guess it costs just a few dollars. Many students even find it appealing to those who usually aren’t fond of tuna.
- Tater Tot Casserole
Total Cost: Approximately $2.00; filling prices may vary.
Using just ground beef, soup, tater tots, cheese, and any vegetables you prefer, you can quickly make this meal all in one dish. Bake it, and you’ll have a tasty, comforting college dinner and extra portions for later.
- Chicken Burrito Skillet
Total Cost: Approximately $4.05; filling prices may vary.
Chicken Burrito Skillet is superb among college students because it is not only a budget-friendly college meal but also easy to make and packed with flavor. With just less than 5 dollars, you can enjoy this flavorful and filling meal that won’t break the bank.
- Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Total Cost: Approximately $3.95; filling prices may vary.
You can get the most out of your college cooking experience with the help of these quick and simple recipes. Take advantage of your freezer, use what you have, and enjoy tasty, cost-effective meals all semester long.
- Pesto Mac with Spinach
Total Cost: Approximately $2.95; filling prices may vary.
With this cheesy comfort food, you can get your daily dose of vegetables. The best part is that you can use frozen spinach whenever you need to make it without worrying about it spoiling in the back of your fridge.
- Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Total Cost: Approximately $0.75; filling prices may vary.
This quick peanut butter banana smoothie will energize you when you need a quick pick-me-up between classes or before you head out the door in the morning.
So… there you have it! The 12 budget-friendly meal ideas for you as a college student who wants meals that won’t eat into your pocket.