The struggle to eat properly on a college budget is real. However, you can cook healthy and tasty meals without spending a fortune if you get creative and stock up on a few staples. Since this is important to you, we spent some time thinking about it and coming up with some simple and delicious recipes. We’ve compiled five easy and cheap foods that are ideal for students on a tight budget. Sit back, read, and enjoy!
5 Budget-Friendly Recipes To Try Out!
We know that cooking on a tight budget is difficult, but with our simple-to-follow recipes, you can prepare easy college meals in no time. Check them out below:
Spaghetti With Garlic Bread
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread is a classic and simple dish that makes for one of the cheap meals for dinner out there. It’s a great option for students on a budget who need spare cash to buy college essays online or for any other monetary needs. This meal can go well with writing activities and other educational tasks.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 package of spaghetti noodles
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of parsley
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 4 slices of garlic bread
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the spaghetti noodles. Cook for 10 minutes.
- In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Mix butter, parsley, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Toast the bread and spread the garlic butter mixture.
- Drain the noodles and add to the skillet with the garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Serve the spaghetti with the bread.
Baked Chicken And Potatoes
Baked Chicken and Potatoes is a simple, cheap, easy meal that can be prepared with just a few basic ingredients. This will have a positive impact on your academics.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 4 potatoes, cubed
- 2 tablespoons of parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Rub with olive oil and season with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Once the chicken is done baking, add the potatoes to the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Serve the chicken and potatoes with parsley.
Egg Fried Rice
Egg Fried Rice is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine made by stir-frying cooked rice with eggs, vegetables, and meat or seafood. You can also analyze the nutritional value and health benefits in your next research paper for extra information.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked rice and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Push the rice to one side of the skillet and add the eggs. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Mix the eggs with the rice and add the soy sauce and sesame oil. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve the egg-fried rice.
Tuna Salad Sandwich
A Tuna Salad Sandwich is a classic campus favorite that is often served as one of the tastiest easy college meals. This sandwich is a great example of a simple and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed on the go, making it a popular choice for students.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredient
- ½ can of tuna, drained
- ¼ cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 stalk of celery, diced
- 2 slices of bread
- Lettuce
Instructions
- Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and celery in a small bowl.
- Spread the tuna mixture on one slice of bread and top with lettuce.
- Place the other slice of bread on top and serve.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a classic, comforting meal that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Many classes in cooking school teach how to prepare this delicious sandwich, but it is one of the easy meals to make at home.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 slices of cheese
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- Place one slice of bread in the skillet, butter side down. Top with the cheese and the other piece of bread, butter side up.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
- Serve the grilled cheese sandwich.
Conclusion
You can eat well on a college budget using creativity and affordable staples. If you’re a student trying to save costs without sacrificing the quality of your life, try one of these five recipes. Be thrifty in your purchases, stock up on essentials, and put leftovers to good use to tighten your dollar. Have fun cooking!