Healthy Recipes For College Students
Now lets get to the recipes ideas!
I have a list of 60+ cheap, yummy, and healthy meals for college students. There are suggestions for college students living in apartments and dorms.
To make it easy:
Ive sorted the recipes to show which ones can specifically be made in a dorm and which are better for apartment dwellers.
For the meals that are dorm conducive its assumed a microwave and a mini-fridge are the only accessible appliances.
+ Easy Recipes For College Students
With the help of some fabulous food bloggers, Ive assembled this collection of simple recipes for college students that all have some very important things in common. They involve simple ingredients, no fancy kitchen tools or appliances are required, and each one is quick and easy enough to prepare in a small dorm or off-campus housing kitchen.
Cooking in college is the beginning of what we parents hope will be a life-long interest in preparing healthy food for themselves and one day, for their own families.
Within the first few months of living away from home, most college kids find that splitting their meals between the campus dining halls and local fast food joints is not going to cut it for the next four years. This will be very apparent on their visits home.Whats for dinner, Mom takes on a whole new meaning for them once theyve had to fend for themselves for a few months.
I guarantee they will return home for visits with a new level of appreciation for your efforts in the kitchen and may start taking notice so they can attempt to duplicate some of those meals on their own.
Even if your kids have shown zero interest in cooking while living in the luxury and comfort of your home, the college experience will most likely bring them into the kitchen.
BREAKFAST
Its easy for college kids to get in the bad habit of skipping breakfast as they rush off to class each day. Here are some healthy, hearty options to keep them on track.
Easy Creamy Gnocchi Sauce
Here’s a gooey comfort food that you can make in just 15 minutes! Gnocchi are dumpling style pasta, and combined with a savory cheese sauce, it’s a like a fancy mac and cheese. The cheese you’ll use is Pecorino Romano, a stronger version of Parmesan: you can find it at most grocery stores! It’s like boxed mac and cheese but way better: and just as easy!
Gear required: Large pot, strainer, grater
Read Also: Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Keto Recipes
This Post Is All About Healthy College Meals
If youve struggled with eating healthy in college, you are most definitely NOT alone. Its no wonder the freshman 15 is so common when its easiest to grab fast food on-the-go or get microwave meals at the grocery store that you dont need to spend your precious energy cooking. But the truth is, there are TONS of great healthy college meals that you can make without overspending your money, time or energy.
These are my favourite 25 healthy meals to make as a college student that dont require crazy amounts of ingredients, time, energy or money.
With 25 ideas to choose from, there will definitely be a bunch of options on here that will become your go-to meals!
Heres A Free Printable Cookbook For College Students With 20 Easy Recipes To Choose From Cooking In A Small Apartment Or Dorm Room Has Never Been Easier
Its time to move your little one into a dorm room at college right?? I will be there next year and Im already sad! One thing I remember when I was a student was the need for easy college recipes I could make in my dorm room and a simple cookbook for college students that was easy to follow, so I made one! Unfortunately the Instant Pot wasnt around then but it is PERFECT for making college meals in a small apartment or dorm now right??!!
- If youre dropping your little one off this is one item on our dorm room checklist.
- I have the simple 6 qt. Instant Pot and it works great .
There is also a smaller 3 qt. mini Instant Pot where you can just cut all of these recipes in half.
I personally wasnt into cooking a lot when I was a college student. If I had a pressure cooker though I would have. For leftovers these meal sized plastic disposable containers are great.
Of course you will need to check with the rules at your college to see if pressure cookers area allowed, every school is different.
If youre new to using one of these devices heres a post on how to use an Instant Pot as well as a video inside where I explain all the buttons too. Once you use it a time or two it will become second nature and all make sense.
Don’t Miss: Belly Fat Burning Food Recipes
Breakfast Recipes Every College Kid Should Know
College is where my breakfast habits took a nosedive. I dont know about you, but I wasnt prepping egg whites and avocado toast in my dorm-room microwave freshman year. In fact, I dont think I had any fresh produce my entire freshman year. That was the year I wore all black, read Chekhov, and started every morning with a Diet Pepsi.
I wish Id had the wherewithal to cook any of these delicious breakfasts back then. Some are quick, some are nutritious, and some are cheap but they all taste great.
College Cooking Tip #: Eat What You Have
When you live at home, you might be used to having a fully stocked pantry and fridge full of a variety of foods. Once you move to college, youll be working with a much smaller range of items. That means its important to start learning to eat what you have on hand in different ways. Lots of the meal ideas below combine similar basic ingredients in different ways so you can eat the same ingredients a couple of times without feeling like youre having the same meal.
Its important to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet just buy a couple at a time and eat them until they are gone. For example, if you buy a cucumber, chop it up and put it in a salad, then a sandwich, then include it in some pasta, etc., until youve eaten the entire thing. An avocado can go on toast, in a quesadilla, on top of nachos, in a sandwich, etc. Get used to eating what you have before you buy new items, and always try to add a fresh fruit or veg to your meal. Apples, bananas, and carrots are really inexpensive so you can always have some on hand.
You May Like: Healthy Eating Recipes To Lose Weight
Easy Meals To Make In A College Apartment
3. Savory Muffins. Chances are that most mornings youre probably eating breakfast while running to class. The easiest way to get some on-the-go brain fuel is with these savory muffins. Have two! Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins. Savory Muffins with Prosciutto & Chives. Savory Tomato-Basil Morning Muffins.
This recipe calls for 100g of old-fashioned oats, 1 can of pumpkin puree, 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp. Truvia , 2 tbsp. of mini chocolate chips, and 2 scoops of protein powder. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, protein powder, cinnamon, and Truvia. Stir in the pumpkin purée and fold in the chocolate chips.
DD2 will be getting her 1st apartment with a roommate in the fall. Looking to make a printed notebook for her with simple, inexpensive recipes that she and her roommate can make to encourage them to cook and avoid the typical Kraft dinner, ramen noodle route. These are college kids with not sophisticated palates, no exotic fruits or vegetables.
College Meal Ideas: Meals In A Tortilla
Tortillas are a wonderful staple for college meal ideas! If kept in the fridge theyll stay good longer then bread, and can be quickly stuffed with all sorts of different fillings. Try one of these ideas:
Bean and cheese burrito: Spread a layer of refried beans on a tortilla and top with taco sauce or salsa and grated cheddar cheese. Microwave in 30 second intervals until cheese is melted and beans are hot roll up and eat. Alternately, you can top it with a second tortilla and grill it on a large skillet to make a quesadilla. Optional add on: sprinkle chopped onion on with the cheese before cooking.
Soft Tacos: Cook 1 pound of ground beef and mix in water and taco seasoning according to the seasoning packet directions. Make tacos by layering ground beef, cheese, salsa, and lettuce or salad mix in a tortilla. Freeze the taco meat you dont use in single servings.
Ground Beef Burrito: Add leftover taco meat to a bean burrito. Optional add ins: cooked rice, cooked onion and peppers, avocado, sliced tomatoes, ranch dressing
Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla: Spread a thin layer of ranch dressing on a tortilla and sprinkle with taco season or chili powder and cumin. Top with cooked chicken and grated cheese. Fold over or top with a second tortilla and toast on a large skillet until cheese is melted and chicken is warm. Optional: melt butter in the skillet first for a toastier outside
Also Check: Keto Egg Drop Soup Recipe
Easy Ham Mac & Cheese Soup
An easy recipe for ham, mac & cheese soup that is part creamy mac n cheese, part delicious pasta soup! Use leftover ham to make this soup even easier, plus the ingredients are all real food ingredients, no canned cheese soup here!
Make ahead ham and swiss sandwiches that never fail to please. Delicious!
Healthy gluten free breakfast cookies are so delicious! A 1 bowl recipe loaded with good for you ingredients like banana, pumpkin, oats, almond butter, nuts, cranberries and dark chocolate chips.
Cooking At College Tip #: Embrace The Freezer
Before we get to the list, you need to know the number one tip for cooking at college, which is to use your freezer. Keeping meat and veggies on hand in the freezer allows you to use just what you want for one meal and save the rest. Otherwise, youll end up eating the exact same things days in a row OR throwing away items you forgot to use up. I recommend keeping a stock of the following in your freezer to make putting together meals super quick and easy:
Frozen cooked meats can be defrosted in the microwave. Use the defrost setting for 20 seconds at a time until meat is defrosted and ready to add to your recipe. Or, you can heat the meat through in a small skillet with a little water to keep it moist, and add any seasonings while heating if desired.
Read Also: Vodka And Orange Juice Recipe
Bacon Egg And Cheese Sandwich
This is a great recipe to ensure you have a filling breakfast. You have a lots of protein to keep you going throughout the day, but all squished on to one delicious sandwich. Simply scramble some eggs, crisp some bacon, and place it between two pieces of toast along with cheese, and youre ready to start the day.
Just Place It All On One Pan Then Bake
Easy recipes for college students in apartments. The next morning, i just put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, and i have a delicious dinner waiting when i arrive home from work. Its one of our favorite weeknight meals. With a few simple ingredients, you can have a quick, tasty dinner in about 20 minutes.
It takes 10 minutes to also prepare this meal. Recipes for students in apartments. Craving real food with a touch of home, i decided to experiment with my microwave , and made this delectable casserole!
Recipes that have been made and tried and the thumbs up have been given. Taco salad in a jar Quick and easy meals, recipes and snacks for college students that you can make in the microwave, with an iron or a waffle maker, and no bake recipes!
See more ideas about recipes, cooking, food. Spinach artichoke pesto pasta by farm fresh feasts. Combine the salmon with pesto.
Preparation for cheap food for college students. Classic comfort food deserves a spot on this list of easy college meals. Quick, easy, and tastes like a home cooked meal.
Oven baked meatball sandwiches by home cooking memories. Cheese steak sloppy joes by blueberries and blessings. And mac n cheese is the poster child for comfort foods.
College life 20 quick and easy meals for college students. Salmon is a healthy meal which is cheap food for college students. Easy stromboli by modern christian homemaker.
With this mug recipe, theres no. Carne picata burritos by blueberries and blessings.
You May Like: 3 Week Old Puppy Food Recipes
Healthy Crack Chicken Aka Creamy Salsa Chicken
This healthier crack chicken recipe is easily made in your instant pot or slow cooker! Loaded with better for you ingredients, but still packs a ton of flavor. This recipe is great in tacos, sandwiches, quesadillas, enchiladas, salads or by itself for a low carb meal.
A bodacious quesadilla bursting with caramelized peppers and onions, filled with tender chicken and a mixture of parmesan, goat, sharp cheddar and cream cheeses.
So easy you can make this in your dorm room!
This Cherry Clementine Protein Smoothie tastes like a cherry version of an Orange Julius, but with healthy, keep you full, nutrient rich ingredients!
This Easy Homemade Blender Salsa recipe is quick and easy and comes together in minutes! A restaurant style salsa that is fresh, flavorful and healthy.
You will want to try this hearty, simple to make Cobb Salad, this is no side salad, this is a hearty and filling, loaded with meats, cheese and veggies! The perfect no cook meal.
Healthy Banana Bread Muffins
Here’s a great breakfast or snack recipe for college students on the go! If you like to bake, this one’s for you. Make up a batch of healthy banana bread muffins, made with bananas, oats, and maple syrup ! Refrigerate or freeze for breakfast or snack throughout the week: we love spreading with peanut butter or almond butter for a hearty meal!
Gear required: Blender, muffin tin, spatula, muffin liners
You May Like: Healthy Low Fat Dinner Recipes
+ Easy College Meals Perfect For Poor College Students
Posts on Clarks Condensed contain affiliate links, which I earn a small commission from. These are provided for your convenience, and the price isn’t increased at all.
College students dont have time for intricate meals here are 50+ easy college recipes students will actually want to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert ideas!
College can be rough when it comes to eating.
Ive heard countless stories of people who lived off of cream of wheat for weeks at a time, or hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Not exactly healthy, right?
I was fortunate enough to always have enough money for rent and food, and I loved to cook and bake, so I made it a priority to make good food .
However, I know that my situation isnt always typical.
You may have super demanding classes, a job, and an intense social life that could prevent you from making a gourmet meal every day.
So, for all you busy college students , here are 50+ easy recipes to have on hand.
Ive gathered together some delicious main dishes, desserts, snacks, and more. And, if you make enough, most of these would be great to eat as leftovers!
If you love this collection, pin the main photo above, but if youd like to save an individual recipe, go to the website it is from and pin it from there.
Insanely Healthy College Meals You Can Make In A Dorm
This post is all about healthy college meals.
Finding healthy college meals is not an easy feat.
You are surrounded by tempting unhealthy food but after awhile you just want something that you can feel good about eating.
I know when I lived in the dorms and was only eating the cafeteria food, I felt so disgusting all the time. I was searching for healthy college meal ideas that I could make in a dorm room and all the options I found were so expensive or way over the top and not actually feasible to make.
While majority of the recipes I am including here are made in a microwave, I survived last year in the dorms by using a George Foreman to cook all my meat in less than 10 minutes. It’s a great way to add protein to these healthy microwave meals!
It always helps me make sure I don’t forget anything when I go grocery shopping!
Here are 25 of the best healthy college meals that are delicious and easy to make.
Recommended Reading: Crab Dip Recipe Without Cream Cheese
Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich
This is perfect combination for lunch that will make you feel like a kid again! Its honestly my go to when I am feeling a bit hungry around lunch time, and all you need is bread, peanut butter, and your favorite type of jelly. You can also toast it for a bit of crunch! This might be the easiest recipe on the easy recipes for college students list.
Easy College Recipes Meals
The key is keeping it simple! These recipes are simple with basic ingredients, and they dont take much time to make.
-
Make Ahead Breakfast Parfaits
This grab-and-go parfait is great for breakfast, lunch, or for a quick snack. Make them up on the weekend when you have some extra time and youll be set for the week ahead. You can use your favorite yogurt flavors, fresh or frozen fruit, and any kind of granola you like. Click title for full recipe.
Recommended Reading: Green Tea Drink Recipes For Weight Loss