Now that the fall semester is in full swing, it’s time to settle in and really hit the books. But don’t let food take a back seat! You need to keep yourself nourished and full of energy to make it through those classes, study sessions, and that part-time job, too. So, I’ve put together this list of the best Easy Recipes for College Students to help you get through the semester in one piece!
I know it’s easier to just stop and grab some fast food, but taking a few minutes to prepare a homemade meal can be both nutritiousandtherapeutic. Take the time to take care of yourself this semester!
And just as a side note, these are easy meals for college students who have access to a kitchen, even if a very limited kitchen. With all the restrictions on equipment allowed in dorm rooms, dorm room cooking is a whole different beast.
What Makes a Recipe Good for College Students?
I was a broke college student when I started this blog, so this is a category that I amvery familiar with. To make the cut for this list of Easy Recipes for College Students, the recipes had to be simple (not many ingredients, no fancy equipment, and a simple preparation method). They had to strike a good balance between comfort and healthy (because let’s face it, when you’re stressed you wantcomfort but eating bad can make you feelworse), and they needed to make good leftovers.
I’ve divided this list of student meals into four categories: Easy Dinners, Quick Snacks, Meal Prep Ideas (including breakfast options), and Easy Dessert Recipes .
Easy Dinners
Spicy Sriracha Noodles
Spicy Sriracha Noodles
These sweet, tangy, and spicy sriracha noodles take only a few minutes to make and are an inexpensive alternative to take out.
4.89 from 316 votes
$2.50 recipe / $1.25 serving Get the Recipe
Spicy Sriracha Noodles I have to start this list with the recipe that got ME through college, Sriracha Noodles. They’re faster than take-out, super delicious, and completely customizable. Throw in any vegetables you might have in the fridge, or try changing up the sauce with a little peanut butter or lime. Browse through the comments to discover all the variations readers have made over the years!
Cheesy Pinto Beans
Cheesy Pinto Beans
Cheesy Pinto Beans are a quick and satisfying meal made with simple pantry staple ingredients, like canned beans.
4.89 from 63 votes
$2.96 recipe / $0.74 serving Get the Recipe
Cheesy Pinto Beans – This super simple recipe starts with a humble can of beans and turns into one of the most satisfying and comforting meals ever. It’s perfect for those late-night study seshes!
Easy Dumpling Soup
Easy Dumpling Soup
Easy Dumpling Soup is the perfect quick dinner because it’s endlessly versatile, insanely budget-friendly, and can be made in 15 minutes.
4.96 from 23 votes
$2.98 RECIPE / $1.49 SERVING Get the Recipe
Easy Dumpling Soup – Grab a bag of frozen dumplings the next time you’re at the store because you don’t want to miss this super easy and comforting soup! It’s going to save you a TON on take-out. ;)
Curried Chickpeas with Spinach
Curried Chickpeas with Spinach
These super fast Curried Chickpeas with spinach are packed with flavor and nutrients, vegan, gluten-free, and filling! Plus they freeze great!
4.73 from 149 votes
$4.68 recipe / $1.17 serving Get the Recipe
Curried Chickpeas with Spinach – When the autumn nights start to get a chilly bite, warm up with a hot bowl of these hearty curried chickpeas with spinach. Packed with flavor, this vegan dish is delicious and filling enough to finally bring vegetarians and carnivores together over one meal.
Creamy Pesto Mac with Spinach
Creamy Pesto Mac and Cheese with Spinach
A simple creamy sauce infused with basil pesto makes this Creamy Pesto Mac and Cheese with spinach the ultimate comfort food WITH a dose of vegetables!
4.60 from 50 votes
$3.27 recipe / $0.55 serving Get the Recipe
Creamy Pesto Mac with Spinach – Get your daily dose of vegetables right along with your cheesy comfort food. And the best part is that it uses frozen spinach, so you can keep it on hand to make whenever you need, without it going bad in the back of your fridge.
Coconut Curry Ramen
Coconut Curry Ramen
You only need 5 simple ingredients and about 10 minutes to make this Coconut Curry Ramen, a vibrant bowl full of bold colors and flavors.
5 from 24 votes
$1.34 recipe / $1.34 serving Get the Recipe
Coconut Curry Ramen – When all you have is 10 minutes and a BIG appetite, upgrade a simple pack of instant ramen to this hearty and flavorful curry ramen bowl. No vegetable chopping required!
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
This fast and easy Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is a filling low carb dinner with big flavor and endless possibilities for customization.
4.85 from 369 votes
$7.14 recipe / $1.79 serving Get the Recipe
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry – Grab a bag of coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots), and this meal isinsanely fast and easy to make. Better yet, it’s full of fiber and protein, so you can help curb that freshman 15. ;) (Feel free to use ground pork, turkey, or chicken in place of the Beef, if preferred.)
Bowties and Broccoli
Bowties and Broccoli
This insanely simple dinner "cheat" is ready in minutes and will keep you full for hours. Bowties and Broccoli is my go-to lazy weeknight dinner.
4.79 from 37 votes
$3.50 recipe / $0.58 serving Get the Recipe
Bowties and Broccoli – This has been my go-to “emergency meal” for decades. Literally. There’s nothing more satisfying than pasta with a little butter and Parmesan, and I add broccoli florets to balance things out, plus a little pepper and red pepper flakes for kicks. Insanely easy and all of the ingredients can be kept on hand pretty much indefinitely, so it’s ready to go whenever you need something FAST.
Poor Man’s Burrito Bowls
Poor Man’s Burrito Bowls
These easy no-frills burrito bowls are super fast and affordable. They're the perfect satisfying weeknight meal for times when money is tight!
4.83 from 64 votes
$7.07 recipe / $1.18 serving Get the Recipe
Poor Man’s Burrito Bowls – We all know burrito bowls are life (thanks, Chipotle!), but they don’t have to be fancy to be super delicious or satisfying. This is my pared down, no frills, as-simple-as-it-gets version of a burrito bowl because when you’re in college, ain’t nobody got time or money for all those fancy toppings! Bonus: you can meal prep these!
Pizza Melts
Pizza Melt
Pizza melts are like a cross between your two favorite comfort foods: pizza and grilled cheese. They're fast, easy, and the perfect quick meal!
4.60 from 10 votes
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Pizza Melts – Instead of ordering delivery, make an easy Pizza Melt to cure your pizza craving. You’ll get all that pizza flavor for a fraction of the price and with an easy single-serving portion size.
Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles
Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles
Sweet, salty, rich, and crunchy, these Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles hit all the bases. It’s fast, easy comfort food for busy nights!
4.82 from 194 votes
$3.75 recipe / $1.25 serving Get the Recipe
Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles – The next time you’re tempted to grab take out, try this incredibly simple noodle stir fry. It will satisfy those take out cravings, but you’ll have complete control over the ingredients. Add some simple steamed greens to round out the meal!
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen
This incredibly simple Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen is a rich and flavorful 15 minute meal that only requires a handful of ingredients!
4.84 from 148 votes
$2.75 per serving Get the Recipe
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen – You only need about 15 minutes and a few leftover vegetables from your fridge to make this insanely creamy and delicious ramen.
Pasta with Bacon and Peas
Pasta with Bacon and Peas
Pasta with Bacon and Peas is a quick, satisfying, and inexpensive meal that you can make with ingredients that you can keep on hand.
5 from 2 votes
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Pasta with Bacon and Peas – A little bacon makes everything better! This super simple pasta dish is incredibly satisfying and surprisingly high in protein. The perfect quick meal to fuel your busy days!
15-Minute Vegetable Curry
15-Minute Vegetable Curry
Creamy coconut milk, flavorful vegetable broth, and curry powder come together to create a simple yet delicious vegetable curry.
4.75 from 32 votes
$5.93 recipe / $1.48 serving Get the Recipe
15-Minute Vegetable Curry – Yes, that’s right, it only takes 15 minutes to make this delicious pot of vegetable curry! No Chopping required! Serve over rice for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Savory Oatmeal
Savory Oatmeal
Savory oatmeal is a delicious, hearty, and inexpensive meal that can be customized to use ingredients you have on hand.
5 from 28 votes
$1.25 recipe Get the Recipe
Savory Oatmeal – Oats aren’t just for breakfast! They make for a quick and filling meal any time of day. Add any leftovers from your fridge or top with a fried egg for an even more delicious bowl of oats.
Quick Snacks
The Peanut Butter Lunch Box
The Peanut Butter Lunch Box
This peanut butter lunch box is an easy no-cook lunch idea for school, work, picnics, or road trips! No reheating needed!
5 from 4 votes
$4.57 recipe / $1.14 per serving Get the Recipe
The Peanut Butter Lunch Box – Pack up a few of these snack boxes to nibble on between classes, or for a quick meal between work and school.
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas
These Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas are an easy vegetarian snack or light meal that are filling, flavorful, and freezer-friendly!
4.89 from 227 votes
$6.61 recipe / $0.66 each Get the Recipe
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas – Quesadillas are the perfect snack(just ask Taco Bell). This spicy vegetarian mix of black beans, corn, onion, and cheese is 100x better than anything you’ll get at the drive-through. More flavor, more fiber, more filling, and still extremely easy. Promise.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies are slightly sweet, super creamy, deliciously filling, and make a fast and easy snack or breakfast!
5 from 12 votes
$0.71 each Get the Recipe
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie – When you need a quick pick me up between classes or as you’re running out the door in the morning, this quick peanut butter banana smoothie is sure to energize!
Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese
Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese
Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with this gourmet Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese! An easy and flavorful lunch idea.
5 from 39 votes
$3.40 recipe / $1.70 serving Get the Recipe
Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese – Grilled cheese is the ultimate study/comfort food. Take it up a levelwith some frozen spinach, a little garlic, red pepper flakes, and feta. You now have a super fancy grilled cheese ANDa good dose of vegetables. WIN.
Pizzadillas
Pizzadillas
All the cheesy toppings of a pizza stuffed into a fast, easy, and crispy quesadilla. Perfect for dipping in pizza sauce!
5 from 14 votes
$9.22 recipe / $1.54 each Get the Recipe
Pizzadillas – When you have a pizza craving (when do younot have a pizza craving??) but don’t have the time or energy to make a homemade pizza yourself, pizzadillas are you quick and easy answer! Plus, no delivery fee for the win!!
The Cheese Board Lunch Box
The Cheese Board Lunch Box
This easy no-cook lunch idea is perfect for the cheese lovers of the world! The Cheese Board Lunch Box makes a meal out of savory nibbles.
4.93 from 13 votes
$7.45 recipe / $1.86 per box Get the Recipe
The Cheese Board Lunch Box – You might miss the lunchables your mom used to pack you, but you’re an adult now, so let’s do it the grown-up way! A box full of crackers, cheese, meat, and a little fruit is a light meal that no one would turn down.
Pizza Roll Ups
Pizza Roll Ups
Forget frozen pizza rolls! These Pizza Roll Ups are the perfect last minute appetizer or indulgent snack on busy days!
5 from 6 votes
$3.71 recipe / $0.93 serving Get the Recipe
Pizza Roll Ups – Make your pizza in roll-up form. It’s way faster and easier than making traditional pizza, and a LOT less expensive than ordering delivery. These are great for football parties, too!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
The secret to the crunchiest, gooiest, air-fryer grilled cheese EVER is first mixing softened butter with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese and then spreading it on the outside of your bread. You can't get results like these from a pan!
4.75 from 4 votes
$2.23 each Get the Recipe
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese – This isn’t your momma’s grilled cheese, it’s a grilled cheese for the 21st century! A super flavorful butter-herb-Parmesan spread and the crisping action of an air fryer makes the most epic grilled cheese you’ve ever had!
Peanut Butter Banana Quesadillas
Peanut Butter Banana Quesadillas
Peanut butter banana quesadillas are a quick and easy single-serving dessert that you can make in minutes with pantry staples!
4.75 from 20 votes
$0.86 each Get the Recipe
Peanut Butter Banana Quesadillas – When you want a quick treat, these toasty, melty, sweet-and-savory “quesadillas” are perfect! You might even be able to get away with calling them breakfast.
Freezer Ready Mini Pizzas
Freezer Ready Mini Pizzas
Freezer Ready Mini Pizzas are an easy and inexpensive snack to keep stocked in your freezer. A homemade and healthy option compared to frozen pizza.
4.91 from 10 votes
$4.31 recipe / $0.36 each Get the Recipe
Freezer Ready Mini Pizzas – Keep a batch of these little pizza cuties in the freezer so you can have a quick pizza snack whenever you want!
Homemade Garlic Bread
Homemade Garlic Bread
Buttery homemade garlic bread is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients! It's freezer-friendly and is a great side dish for any dinner.
4.80 from 39 votes
$4.63 recipe / $0.39 serving Get the Recipe
Homemade Freezer Garlic Bread – Put down that box of frozen garlic bread! It’s far too easy and inexpensive to make your own! Keep this garlic bread in your freezer for whenever you get a craving. They also make a pretty killer grilled cheese sandwich, too. Talk about study fuel!
Trail Mix
Trail Mix
Making homemade trail mix is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack AND use up leftover ingredients in your pantry.
5 from 1 vote
$2.81 recipe / $0.70 serving Get the Recipe
Trail Mix – The ultimate on-the-go snack! Don’t underestimate the power and convenience of a good trail mix. We’ve got four different flavor combos to try, plus plenty of other ingredient ideas so you can make your own mix!
Easy Meal Prep Ideas
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
This super easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry is a delicious and versatile answer to busy weeknight dinners. Try the suggested variations to make it your own!
4.90 from 37 votes
$7.41 recipe / $1.48 serving Get the Recipe
Ground Turkey Stir Fry – This super simple stir fry was made for meal prep! You can add as many or as little vegetables as you want and serve it over rice, noodles, or sans-carb. It’s very flexible!
Cottage Cheese Crab Bowls
Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl
This Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl is the perfect light, fresh, and filling lunch for summer. It also meal preps well, so pack a few to take to work for lunch!
4.91 from 22 votes
$1.21 each Get the Recipe
Cottage Cheese Crab Bowls – These no-cook bowls are light, fresh, and kind of like a California roll, but bowl style! Plus there are plenty of ways to customize this bowl to make it fit your taste buds.
Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad
Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad
Light, bright, and full of spring flavors, this Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad will keep you full all afternoon. Serve as a sandwich, wrap, or salad!
4.82 from 50 votes
$2.46 recipe / $1.23 serving Get the Recipe
Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad – This super easy and creamy chickpea salad is great as a sandwich or wrap, scooped up with crackers, or as a topper to a green salad, so you can eat it a different way every day of the week!
Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Apple Pie Overnight Oats
These Apple Pie Overnight Oats are an easy and delicious make-ahead breakfast with no added sugar that you can enjoy either hot or cold.
4.71 from 31 votes
$2.26 recipe / $0.57 serving Get the Recipe
Apple Pie Overnight Oats – This is another great make-ahead breakfast option that can easily be made vegan by using almond or soy milk. You won’t believe how much this tastes like apple pie, even without ANY added sugar!!
Tuna Salad Lunch Box
The Tuna Salad Lunch Box
This Tuna Salad Lunch Box is an easy make-ahead lunch idea with plenty of vegetables and protein to keep you full.
$7.68 recipe / $1.92 serving Get the Recipe
The Tuna Salad Lunch Box – Here’s another great no-cook make-ahead lunch for your busy weekdays!
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad
This chunky chopped Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad is a great fresh salad that can be eaten on its own or turned into several different easy lunch ideas!
4.90 from 29 votes
$4.84 recipe / $1.61 serving Get the Recipe
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad – This incredibly simple and filling salad holds up for days in the fridge and can be eaten alone, in a wrap, or toasted in a tortilla for a quick quesadilla!
The Hummus Lunch Box
The Hummus Lunch Box
This Hummus Lunch Box is a cold lunch classic. With almost zero prep work, this is the fastest, easiest no-cook lunch around.
5 from 5 votes
$8.04 recipe / $2.01 serving Get the Recipe
The Hummus Lunch Box – These little no-cook Mediterranean-style snack boxes are perfect for a make-ahead lunch or a light afternoon study snack. They’re customizable, too, so make sure you click through to see all of the alternate ingredient ideas!
Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep
Burrito Bowl Meal Prep
The Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep that you can put together in about 30 minutes with minimal cooking, chopping, and nothing to pack on the side. Lunch can be easy and tasty!
4.77 from 17 votes
$9.05 recipe / $2.26 serving Get the Recipe
Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep – I never get tired of burrito bowls, and thankfully they are justmade for meal prepping. You can make a few for the week ahead, or stash them in the freezer for longer storage. Either way, it’s just a quick reheat to total burrito bowl bliss.
Tuna and White Bean Salad
Tuna & White Bean Salad
This Tuna and White Bean salad is mayo-free, but big on flavor. Whip up this salad in minutes to satisfy your hunger and tastebuds.
4.86 from 42 votes
$2.21 recipe / $0.74 serving Get the Recipe
Tuna and White Bean Salad – Tons of protein and fiber to keep you full and fueled through a long day of classes! Pack it up with some crackers for dipping, or stuff it into a tortilla to make a wrap, and you’re set. Oh, and NO MAYO. ;)
Curried Tofu Salad
Curried Tofu Salad
This cold, refreshing, and highly flavored Curried Tofu Salad is the perfect quick fix for summer or cold-pack lunch.
4.87 from 50 votes
$3.47 recipe / $0.87 serving Get the Recipe
Curried Tofu Salad – Super simple prep, and it holds up in the fridge for days! You can serve it over a bed of greens as a salad, or make it a wrap by stuffing it into a tortilla. So fresh and light, it won’t make you groggy in those afternoon classes. ;)
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
This simple, fresh, and filling Mediterranean Tuna Salad makes an easy protein-packed make-ahead lunch for your workweek.
4.78 from 27 votes
$7.89 recipe / $1.32 serving Get the Recipe
Mediterranean Tuna Salad – This light, fresh, and protein-filled salad is an easy no-cook option for your busy week or when the weather starts to heat up outside. No reheating necessary!
Also check out our Meal Prep archives for plenty of ideas for packed lunches!
Easy Dessert Recipes
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
These dairy-free flourless peanut butter cookies are soft, rich, and have the perfect salty-sweet balance.
4.73 from 18 votes
$1.65 recipe / $0.14 each Get the Recipe
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies – Cookies don’t get any easier than this! Just six simple ingredients and you’ve got the richest, most delicious cookies ever. Bonus: they’re gluten-free and dairy-free!
The BEST Chocolate Mug Cake
“The One” Chocolate Mug Cake
In just two minutes you can have this perfect single serving chocolate mug cake to quiet that sweet tooth.
4.64 from 155 votes
$0.30 each Get the Recipe
Chocolate Mug Cake – This is the one and only chocolate mug cake you’ll ever need. Soft, tender, not too-too sweet (but you can make it sweeter if you want), and no egg required!
Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats
Sweet and fluffy marshmallows, creamy butter, and crispy rice cereal make these homemade rice krispie treats melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
4.85 from 13 votes
$2.30 recipe / $0.26 serving Get the Recipe
Rice Krispie Treats – The ultimate no-bake treat! They’re gooey, sweet, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Plus, they keep at room temperature, which is important when you’re on the go!
Blueberry Mug Muffin
blueberry mug muffin
A fast and easy treat, these microwave blueberry mug muffins are perfect when you just need a small bite of something sweet.
4.53 from 119 votes
$0.37 each Get the Recipe
Blueberry Mug Muffin – Mug cakes and mug muffins were critical to my survival in college. When I needed just a little bite of something sweet to get me through, a mug cake is the answer! So fast, so easy, so good.
Cheese Danishes
Cheese Danish
This buttery, flaky, and budget-friendly Cheese Danish recipe is ridiculously easy to make and can be on your table in under a half hour.
4.50 from 12 votes
$6.07 recipe / $1.01 serving Get the Recipe
Cheese Danishes – They may look fancy, but thanks to frozen puff pastry dough, they’re a breeze to make! This one is sure to impress your friends.
Funfetti Mug Cake
Funfetti Mug Cake
This super cute Funfetti Mug Cake is the perfect single-serving dessert for when you need something sweet and fast!
4 from 17 votes
$0.41 each Get the Recipe
Funfetti Mug Cake – When you need a cupcake but don’t want to make a batch, this funfetti mug cake is the answer!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
No Bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars
These no-bake pretzel peanut butter bars are a ridiculously simple homemade version of your favorite peanut butter cups!
4.93 from 27 votes
$3.94 recipe / 0.16 per square Get the Recipe
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars – They’re like a Reese’s cup in bar form! …And incredibly easy to make. Just be warned, they’re addictive!!
Honey Vanilla Cottage Cheese Fruit Dip
Honey Vanilla Cottage Cheese Fruit Dip
Cottage cheese is whipped up into a silky smooth texture, sweetened with honey, and flavored with vanilla in this deliciously sensible dessert fruit dip.
$0.94 recipe / $0.24 serving Get the Recipe
Honey Vanilla Cottage Cheese Fruit Dip – If you’re trying to keep dessert time light, you’ve got to try this dip! It tastes like cheesecake but is super high in protein and doesn’t have tons of added sugar. It’s the perfect light treat!
Cinnamon Nut Swirl Mug Cake
Cinnamon Nut Swirl Mug Cake
This Cinnamon Nut Swirl Mug Cake is the perfect way to get a single serving cinnamon roll fix without any kneading, rising, rolling, or baking!
4.80 from 54 votes
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Cinnamon Nut Swirl Mug Cake – One more microwave mug cake for good measure! This one is like a cinnamon roll in a cup, except WAY easier to make. It’s a must try for breakfast or dessert!
So there you have it, over 40 of our favorite Easy Recipes for College Students. What are your favorite student meals to help you get through the semester? Share in the comments below!