Simple Dinners For College Students Quick And Easy Meals On A Budget

As a college student, you're likely always on the go and on a tight budget. Between classes, studying, and socializing, cooking a healthy meal might be the last thing on your mind. But fear not, we've got you covered with these simple dinner recipes that are not only quick and easy to make but also budget-friendly. So, let's dive into some delicious meals that won't break the bank!

Table of Contents

• Pasta
• Stir Fry
• Quesadillas
• Burrito Bowls
• Pizza
• Soup

Pasta

Pasta is a classic and easy meal that can be customized to your liking. All you need is a pot of boiling water, your favorite pasta, and some sauce. You can add meat, veggies, or cheese to make it more filling and nutritious. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Optional: Meat (chicken, ground beef, sausage), veggies (broccoli, mushrooms, peppers), cheese (parmesan, mozzarella)

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
3. While the pasta is cooking, heat up your sauce in a separate pan.
4. Optional: Cook meat and/or veggies in the same pan as the sauce.
5. Drain pasta and mix with sauce and any additional ingredients.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pro tip: cook extra pasta and store it in the fridge for a quick and easy meal later in the week.

Stir Fry

Stir fry is another easy and customizable meal that can be made with whatever ingredients you have on hand. All you need is a pan, some oil, protein, veggies, and a sauce. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Protein (chicken, beef, tofu)
• Veggies (broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions)
• Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
• Soy sauce or stir fry sauce
• Optional: Rice or noodles

Instructions:

1. Heat up oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add protein and cook until browned.
3. Add veggies and cook until tender.
4. Optional: Cook rice or noodles separately.
5. Add sauce to the pan and mix everything together.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pro tip: use frozen veggies to save time and money.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that can be made with just a few ingredients. All you need is a tortilla, cheese, and some filling of your choice. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Tortillas
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack)
• Filling (chicken, beans, veggies)
• Optional: Salsa, sour cream, guacamole

Instructions:

1. Heat up a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle cheese on one half.
3. Add filling on top of the cheese.
4. Fold the tortilla in half and press down with a spatula.
5. Cook for a few minutes on each side until cheese is melted and tortilla is crispy.
6. Serve hot with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Pro tip: use a quesadilla maker or sandwich press for an even easier meal.

Burrito Bowls

Burrito bowls are a healthy and filling meal that can be made with rice, beans, protein, and veggies. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Rice
• Black beans
• Protein (chicken, beef, tofu)
• Veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers)
• Salsa or hot sauce
• Optional: Cheese, guacamole

Instructions:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. Heat up black beans in a separate pan.
3. Add protein and cook until browned.
4. Add veggies and cook until tender.
5. Assemble bowls with rice, beans, protein, and veggies.
6. Top with salsa or hot sauce and any additional toppings.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pro tip: meal prep your ingredients ahead of time for an even quicker meal.

Pizza

Pizza is a crowd-pleaser and can be made at home with just a few ingredients. All you need is a crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)
• Pizza sauce
• Cheese (mozzarella, parmesan)
• Toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface.
3. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings to the pizza.
4. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is crispy.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pro tip: use a pre-made crust or pita bread for an even easier meal.

Soup

Soup is a comforting and easy meal that can be made with just a few ingredients. All you need is a pot, some broth, protein, veggies, and seasonings. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Broth (chicken, beef, vegetable)
• Protein (chicken, beef, tofu)
• Veggies (carrots, celery, onions)
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder)
• Optional: Noodles, rice

Instructions:

1. Heat up broth in a pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add protein and cook until browned.
3. Add veggies and cook until tender.
4. Optional: Cook noodles or rice separately.
5. Add seasonings to the pot and stir.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pro tip: use a slow cooker for an even easier meal.

Conclusion

These simple dinners for college students are quick, easy, and budget-friendly. Whether you're in a rush or just don't feel like cooking, these recipes will satisfy your hunger without breaking the bank. So, grab your ingredients and get cooking!