Between classes, jobs, homework and spending time with friends, cooking often falls to the bottom of the priority list for college students. However, eating fun meals doesn’t have to be time-consuming. No matter what kitchen, kitchenette or dorm room you are working with, there are easy meals you can make without breaking the bank.
Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you are feeling responsible and timely, overnight oats are super easy if you take the time to prep the night before. Throw oatmeal and water in a jar and add whatever mix-ins you have: chocolate chips, fruit, peanut butter, you name it and let it marinate overnight in the fridge. An easy breakfast without the hassle, all ready by the time you wake up.
If you wake up feeling creative, try out the microwave pancake stack. Use pancake mix and water and be sure to microwave in layers for about one minute each. It may be sloppy but it works. Add in fruit, chocolate or syrup and you have a traditional stack.
If you are feeling fancy and have access to a blender, a morning smoothie can be extremely refreshing. Trader Joe’s has frozen fruit for cheap or better yet you can freeze some classic dining hall melon. However, if you’re running late, you can’t go wrong with throwing whatever you want into a blender on the way out the door.
Now here are some lunch recipes. Who doesn’t love a hot dog? Nostalgic, cheap and fast, a microwave hot dog with whatever condiments of your choosing can make for a hearty lunch. Not down with a glizzy? Understandable. There are other options.
Take a tortilla, some hummus and veggies and maybe some left over chicken or deli meat and you have yourself a lunch wrap. If you have an air fryer and some cheese, pop that in for a few minutes to make a quick and easy grilled cheese.
Now, if you have a plethora of snacks, you could make a lunch snack plate which is another great option for on-the-go or for a study session. Take whatever you have in the fridge or pantry and make a personalized charcuterie board. Not only can you get all your food groups on one plate, but it feels fun and fancy all at once.
After a long day of being a student, athlete, friend or just trying to make it through, dinner is crucial. Your last meal of the day should be comforting, low effort and budget-friendly after a big day. Microwave instant rice, mix in some beans, a form of protein, cheese and salsa, you have yourself a dinner bowl that can cost less than your six-dollar latte from Starbucks.
Sticking with the theme of leftovers and lazy college meals, why not use the leftover pancakes from the morning and make a sweet or savory pancake stack for dinner? You can airfry eggs and bacon, or have the same thing you did for breakfast. Breakfast for dinner is always a classic and can help declutter that mini fridge.
A mac and cheese remix is always comforting and can be nutritious as well. You can do instant mac and cheese and add in meat and veggies, ensuring you’re hitting most of the major food groups. This is dinner with personality for sure but also cost-friendly and yummy at the same time.
After dinner, you’re fueled for whatever the rest of the evening holds. If dinner was a jump start for your next activity or just a meal before bed, everyone loves a midnight snack.
Had a fun night out dancing, being with friends, walking home from festivities or maybe even a sporting event? I bet you are hungry, and nothing is easier than microwave nachos. Those who grew up in an ingredient household are familiar. Feel free to get creative and customize it with meat, beans, salsa, guac and more.
If you want something sweet and have the ingredients, a magic mug is a great option. What’s a magic mug? It can be the best thing ever, especially after a night out. Take a spoonful of butter, sugar, flour and chocolate chips and microwave for 30 seconds to a minute. It may not be a cookie but it is close enough.
College can be chaotic but fueling your day should not have to be. Whether you are working with a full kitchen, a microwave or willpower there are plenty of ways to get your meals in for the day. The next time you are searching through your fridge wondering if ketchup counts as a full meal, remember you can be creative and feed yourself like the amazing human you are.
