Easy Meals for College Students
Cooking as a college student can be difficult. Finding the time, tools, long lasting groceries, recipes, and more can make cooking, especially in residence halls seem unattainable. However, cooking a meal for yourself no matter how big or small can be ful-filling (literally and metaphorically)!
If you want to cook more or start to, this is the blog for you! Here are some easy meals for college students, and what you need for them!
TOOLS:
Cooking in residence’s halls aren’t ideal. If you ever need a kitchen tool, ask around! Someone on your floor will probably have it! Here are all of the tools you will need for the meals below; pot, pan, microwave, bowls, plates, utensils, chef knife.
COMMON INGREDIENTS:
Mini fridges are small and avoiding food waste every week can be hard. Below are common ingredients that you can use over these meals and that have a longer shelf life! They are cheese, milk, eggs, mayo, oil (regular, sesame, chili), rice, ramen noodles, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, frozen vegetable mix, nut butter, jam, honey, bread.
BREAKFAST:
Overnight Oats:
Overnight oats is a great alternative if you aren’t an oatmeal fan and you want to meal prep a protein packed breakfast. I personally recommend making them with oats, chia seeds, milk, a pinch of salt, and honey for the base. You can flavor them with jams, nut butters, fruit, chocolate, nuts, and more. Make it the night before in a container and it will be ready for you in the morning!
Homemade Uncrustables:
Is this a glorified toast. Yes. Will it bring you nostalgia. Also yes. This is super easy breakfast that can be eaten on the go and is great for meal prep. You just need a glass, to close the edges, bread of your choice, jam, and nut butter. You can play around with what flavor combinations you want in your uncrustables as well, such as bananas, marshmallow fluff, cream cheese, butter, and more!
Avocado Toast with Eggs:
Did you know that you can make eggs in the microwave? I bet you didn’t and it the great way add something extra to your avocado toast. You can cook scrabble and poached eggs in a jiffy and this tip will become your go to. You can add some seasonings, sriracha, tomatoes, or more onto your toast!
LUNCH:
Microwave Nachos:
Simple, easy, and effective! Just put chips and cheese on a plate and stick it in the microwave. You can add beans, salsa, tomatoes, and avocado for toppings as well!
Homemade Sushi:
This is a personal favorite of mine and you could include whatever is in your fridge! You need seaweed, instant sticky microwave rice, soy sauce. You can add sesame oil, mayo, rice vinegar, chili oil/sriracha, canned tuna fish, tofu, avocado, and vegetables as well. You can make simple hand rolls (temaki), rolls (maki), or just eat it straight out of a bowl!
Egg Salad Sandwich:
Have eggs, mayo, and bread? Why not make an egg salad sandwich! You can make it by cooking a very done poached egg in the microwave or hard boil eggs in a pot. I recommend adding some mustard, scallions, and paprika for flavor, but they are optional!
Dumplings:
Dumplings are a great frozen food option that you can microwaved, boiled, steam, or pan fried! Cooking instructions are typically on the packet and can take between 5-15 minutes to make. Top it off all with a dipping sauce of your choice!
Grilled Cheese with Soup:
What a perfect combo! Warm your soul with a grilled cheese and soup. This might be a surprise, but using mayo instead of butter can get you a crisper grilled cheese?! Pair it with your soup of choice and you will be all set!
DINNER:
Nut Butter Chili Oil Noodles:
Creamy and spicy all in one dish! This dish is great if you only make it for yourself, but also super easy to make multiple portions for your friends. You can add protein and frozen veggies if you want, but the noodles with the sauce itself is fantastic. It whips together for 15 minutes and will leave you wanting to make this one a weekly basis!
Mac and Cheese:
Box Mac n Cheese is delicious as it is, but if you want to try something new, you can try adding some toppings! Try adding a protein, hot sauce, tomato sauce, veggies, garlic, spices or more on top! If you need some inspiration, we got your back!
Honey Garlic Soy Chicken With Rice:
This recipe is 100% worth it and finger licking good! This honey garlic soy chicken is fantastic for dinner and meal prep, as the chicken can be used for other meals throughout the week (in sandwiches, salads, noodles, and more)!
Burritos:
Canned beans, meat, cheese, and rice all wrapped up into a tortilla! You can add other toppings as well such as sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado. It makes great leftovers as you can top the meat with chips, salads, mac and cheese, rice bowls and more!
Fried rice:
Do you have leftover rice? If you do, you can use it to make some dinner! You can make it in the microwave, but also in a pan. It is simple with frozen vegetables, garlic, ginger, rice, butter, egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Remember this, cooking is fun, creative, and experimental! You can make any of these meals any time of the day with the ingredients that you have available. If you ever have any easy meals ideas you want to share, DM us on instagram or leave a comment below!
With a chef’s kiss,
BOREDie Danielle
