Because it’s my first year having an actual kitchen at college, I figured it was fitting to write this article. I’ve always liked cooking for myself, but now that it became something I have to do every day, it’s definitely become more challenging. Here are a few easy (and cheap) meals to incorporate into your busy college student lifestyle.
- Stir fry
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A great option if you’re trying to get rid of veggies that are going bad, or if you are trying to use up frozen food in your freezer. It’s so easy to make and you can vary it up however you like.
- Rice/beans & Quesadillas
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Rice and beans is a super cheap option if you are trying to use up things in your pantry or spend less on filling foods. My new thing has been to make rice and beans, and a quesadilla on the side for dinner. It’s very easy to make and keeps you full.
- Pre-mixed Salads
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People are definitely sleeping on these. For a busy college student, they are super easy to put together and you can add anything you want to them to give them more protein. I love adding leftover chicken or turkey to make it more of a meal.
- Lemon Garlic Chicken
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This has been my go-to meal recently. There are so many different versions on Pinterest, and the recipes include most things you already have in your kitchen or pantry. I usually steam broccoli and make brown rice with it, and I always have leftovers for days.
- Toasts
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This isn’t necessarily a meal, but you can vary it up or make it more filling if you want it to count as a meal! For instance, I love making peanut butter toast with banana or avocado toast with tomatoes. It’s super cheap and easy to make in a pinch.
- Pasta with veggies or meat
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We all know pasta is one of the easiest meals to make. But I like to switch up the veggies or meat I add to my pasta in order to add more protein or get in more veggies. You can also try using lentil or chickpea pasta for a healthier option or to add more protein.