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Home » Recipes » 50+ Easy College Meals Perfect for Poor College Students

50+ Easy College Meals Perfect for Poor College Students

Updated on May 3, 2022 | Published on April 10, 2019

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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.

Never go hungry again with these 50+ easy recipes for college students! College Recipes / Recipes for College Students / College Student Recipes / Easy Recipes / Easy Recipes for College Students / Beginning Cook via @clarkscondensed

College students don’t have time for intricate meals – here are 50+ easy college recipes students will actually want to make – breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert ideas!

Easy College Recipes

College can be rough when it comes to eating.

I’ve 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 (past roommates will say I was the reason they gained the infamous Freshman Fifteen). 

However, I know that my situation isn’t 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 (or anyone else on the go), here are 50+ easy recipes to have on hand.

I’ve 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 you’d like to save an individual recipe, go to the website it is from and pin it from there.

Meal Planning

Although I share a great variety of recipes below…sometimes it can still feel really overwhelming to actually decide what to cook and what ingredients to get. 

So if you are someone who just wants to be told what to do (or you are a parent of a college student like this), I first want to suggest the Six Sisters’ Menu Plan service. 

This is something I personally use myself, and not only are the meals very budget-friendly, but they provide you with a grocery list each week. 

I combine that with using Shipt Grocery Delivery, and I save a ton of money. 

The meal plans are under $10 a month, and they have a traditional one, a gluten-free one, and a healthy one. The small meal plans would be perfect for any college student!

Click here to browse meal plans

originally posted in 2015; updated in 2019. 

Microwave Meals

Here are some AMAZING tools you can use in the microwave to make cooking even easier that every college student should have (some of these would work great with some of the college recipes below!):

  • Ceramic Egg Cooker (great for mug cakes, too).
  • Microwave Egg Cooker
  • Micro-Cooker (I LOVE this for veggies)
  • Microwave Popcorn Maker (my personal favorite!)
  • Microwave Rice Maker
  • Pasta Cooker
  • Microwave Bacon Cooker

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Recipes for College Students

Main Dish Recipes

 Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Like Mother Like Daughter

individual-baked-pasta (9 of 10)

Individual Baked Pasta

10 Minute Microwave Enchiladas

English Muffin Pizzas

one-pot-pizza-casserole-edit

One Pot Pizza Pasta Casserole by Clarks Condensed

bbq-ranch-chicken-sandwich -edit

Easy BBQ Ranch Chicken Sandwich by Clarks Condensed

Tuna Casserole by Like Mother Like Daughter

Beef and Broccoli Bowl by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks

Buffalo Macaroni Cheese by Chocolate Moosey

Buffalo Chicken Tacos by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks

 15 Minute Calzones by Wine & Glue

skillet-enchiladas-1

Skillet Enchiladas by Clarks Condensed

Buffalo Chicken Dip Quesadillas by Chocolate Moosey

Chicken Teriyaki Pork Chops by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks

Lazy Poutine by Cook the Story

skillet-lasagna

Skillet Lasagna by Clarks Condensed

 Grilled Veggie Ciabatta by Farm Fresh Feasts

 Baked Swai with Pesto and Ricotta by Farm Fresh Feasts

French Dip Sandwich by Snappy Gourmet

Spinach Artichoke Pesto Pasta by Farm Fresh Feasts

Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes by Blueberries and Blessings

Salsa Roast Burritos by Java Cupcake

Carne Picata Burritos by Blueberries and Blessings

Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches by Home Cooking Memories

Easy Stromboli by Modern Christian Homemaker

Veg Potato Goulash by Masala Herb

 Healthier Santa Fe Pie by Shockingly Delicious

Easy Weeknight Ravioli Lasagna by Alida’s Kitchen

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles) by Chocolate Moosey

Pan Fried Chicken Breast

Chicken Stir Fry Lettuce Wraps by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks

 Homemade Microwave Lasagna by the Noble Pig

One Pot Pasta by Modern Christian Homemaker

Pasta Pizza Pie by Alida’s Kitchen

Peanut Udon Noodles by Oh My Veggies

 Microwave Chile Relleno

Sweet and Crunchy Chicken Tenders by Home Cooking Memories

Teriyaki Kabobs by Modern Christian Housemaker

Brown Rice Edamame Pineapple Mug Meal

Tortellini Soup by Alida’s Kitchen

  Appetizers and Side Dishes

Roasted Potatoes with Fennel Pollen by The Tomato Tart

Cheesy Pepperoni Dip by Noble Pig

Lemon Pasta Sauce by Masala Herb

Armadillo Potatoes by Modern Christian Homemaker

Plum Caprese by The Tomato Tart

Wedge Salad by Shockingly Delicious

Blender Salsa

5 Minute Tomato Basil Soup

Poor Man’s Burrito by Shockingly Delicious

 Edamole by Cook the Story

 Sauteed Beat Greens and Spring Onions by Farm Fresh Feasts

Breakfast and Snacks

Caramel Pecan Ice Cream Muffins by Simply Southern Baking

1 Minute Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Microwave French Toast

Cinnamon Roll Waffles by Modern Christian Homemaker

3 Ingredient Crescent Sausage Bites by The Kitchen is My Playground

Single Serve Banana Bread

Banana Buttermilk Muffins by Alida’s Kitchen

Coconut Sesame Granola by The Tomato Tart

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins by Slap Dash Mom

 Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Dip by The Kitchen is My Playground

Sweet Treats

3-2-1 Magic Mug Cake

Easy Homemade Chocolates by Masala Herb

Fudgy Strawberry Brownies Nachos by Simply Southern Baking

Easy Low Fat Pumpkin Sheet Cake by Keep It Sweet Desserts

Pots de Chocolat by Cook the Story

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Cookies by Wine & Glue

Chocolate Covered Cookie Butter Pretzels by Keep It Sweet Desserts

Microwave Fudge

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie by The Kitchen is My Playground

Chewy No-Bake Thin Mint Bars by Keep It Sweet Desserts

Candy bar Stuffed Rice Krispies by Inside BruCrew Life

Butter Pecan Caramel Rice Krispies Treats by Simply Southern Baking

Brown Sugar Sticky Bun Popcorn by Simply Southern Baking

Brownie Batter Cookie Dough Popcorn by Inside BruCrew Life

Scotcheroos by Like Mother Like Daughter

No Bake Cheesecake by Like Mother Like Daughter

1-minute Dixie Cup Cakes

Other Mosts You May Enjoy:

  • One Dish Recipes for College Students
  • 25+ Single Serve Desserts
  • The 30+ Best Instant Pot Recipes for College Students
25+ easy one dish meals for college students (and anyone else who wants an easy meal!) So yummy!
College Recipes / Recipes for College Students / College Student Recipes / Easy Recipes / Easy Recipes for College Students / Beginning Cook
50+ Easy Recipes For College Students (or anyone on the go!)
Katie

Katie is a Colorado-native, BYU graduated, and most importantly, wife to one and mother to three beautiful boys. She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others – especially about pregnancy, breastfeeding, cooking, and crafts. She is currently training to be a Certified Lactation Educator. She loves spending time with her family and helping others find joy in family life.

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WELCOME TO CLARKS CONDENSED

Clarks Condensed provides uplifting and motivating information to share the joys of home and family living through parenting and pregnancy advice, easy DIY tutorials, recipes, and more – all with a frugal twist. Read more...

Related topics:
College Tips Main Dish Recipes

April 10, 2019Katie

About Katie

Katie is a Colorado-native, BYU graduated, and most importantly, wife to one and mother to three beautiful boys. She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others - especially about pregnancy, breastfeeding, cooking, and crafts. She is currently training to be a Certified Lactation Educator. She loves spending time with her family and helping others find joy in family life.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carmen says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    …also, what size oven proof skillet is to be used? (sorry, new @ this).

    Reply
    • Katie says

      June 13, 2016 at 10:00 pm

      No worries! Always happy to help 🙂 I use a 12″ skillet like this one:
      http://amzn.to/1PZyPCy

      Reply
  2. Lauryn Coston says

    October 7, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    I am currently a college student and thoroughly enjoyed your blog post! It is a constant battle deciding what to cook for dinner and with such a busy schedule I find myself eating out more times than not. Hopefully with your recipes, i can get back into the kitchen and enjoy a quick and tasty meal.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      October 8, 2015 at 8:48 am

      I’m so glad you found this list helpful! It’s so hard in college to cook for yourself – especially when eating out is so much easier – but take it from me. It’s much better to cook (and so much more satisfying!)

      Reply
  3. Janet says

    June 1, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    I was just checking your blog to see what’s new and I was recommended this haha 🙂 I guess even your blog knows I don’t cook anything too complex 😀

    Reply
    • Katie says

      June 1, 2014 at 8:04 pm

      Haha! So funny. PS, I really want to get together soon. I know I’ve been terrible about it, but it’s been way too long!

      Reply
  4. Joleen says

    February 25, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    These look delicious! Here are some of the breakfast ideas I’ve made so far since coming to college!

    http://bythesparklingsea.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/college-cooking-5-quick-and-healthy-breakfast-ideas/

    Reply
    • Katie says

      February 25, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      Those are great! Thank you so much for sharing. I think having breakfast is one of the most important things you can do in college 🙂

      Reply
  5. Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says

    August 28, 2013 at 10:31 am

    How the heck did I miss contributing to this round up in our group? I am ALL ABOUT easy college food. Oh well. Great round up!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 28, 2013 at 11:12 am

      Well if you have anything you’d like to contribute, feel free to email me at katie at clarkscondensed dot com. I’d love to add anything else in here!

      Reply
      • Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says

        August 28, 2013 at 11:33 am

        Ohh thanks, I’ll send you some! 🙂

        Reply
        • Katie says

          September 9, 2013 at 4:24 pm

          I’m still planning on posting these; I’ve had no time lately!

          Reply
  6. Lessie Purpera says

    August 23, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    What a great collection of recipes! Thank you for featuring a few of mine. 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks! And thank you for having some delicious recipes 🙂

      Reply
  7. Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious says

    August 23, 2013 at 8:55 am

    Thanks for including my recipes in your roundup! College students should have an easier time of it with this collection!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm

      I’m glad you think so! I can’t wait to try some of your recipes that I featured 🙂

      Reply
  8. Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says

    August 22, 2013 at 11:52 pm

    WOW!! What a great theme and such a great list of recipes! I’m not a college student, but these will come in very handy. Thank you for featuring my recipes!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 25, 2013 at 12:10 pm

      You are so very welcome! Thank you for having some great recipes that I could use!

      Reply
  9. Lisa @ Wine & Glue says

    August 22, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    Thank you so much for including my Mini Calzones and my Cinnamon Roll Cookies!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 25, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      I can’t wait to try those recipes myself!

      Reply
  10. Hezzi-D says

    August 22, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    So many great ideas! i can’t wait to put some of these on my menu plan during the school year!

    Reply
  11. Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says

    August 22, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    What a wonderful round-up full of fabulous ideas! Thank you so much for including a few of my creations, Katie!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

    Reply
  12. aimee @ like mother like daughter says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Yay Katie! Thanks for featuring 3 of my recipes. These all look so delicious! Can’t wait to try some of them out!

    Reply

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