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!
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
10 Minute Microwave Enchiladas
One Pot Pizza Pasta Casserole by Clarks Condensed
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 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 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
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
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
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
Cinnamon Roll Waffles by Modern Christian Homemaker
3 Ingredient Crescent Sausage Bites by The Kitchen is My Playground
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
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
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
Other Mosts You May Enjoy:
- One Dish Recipes for College Students
- 25+ Single Serve Desserts
- The 30+ Best Instant Pot Recipes for College Students
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.
Carmen says
…also, what size oven proof skillet is to be used? (sorry, new @ this).
Katie says
No worries! Always happy to help 🙂 I use a 12″ skillet like this one:
http://amzn.to/1PZyPCy
Lauryn Coston says
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.
Katie says
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!)
Janet says
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 😀
Katie says
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!
Joleen says
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/
Katie says
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 🙂
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
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!
Katie says
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!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
Ohh thanks, I’ll send you some! 🙂
Katie says
I’m still planning on posting these; I’ve had no time lately!
Lessie Purpera says
What a great collection of recipes! Thank you for featuring a few of mine. 🙂
Katie says
Thanks! And thank you for having some delicious recipes 🙂
Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious says
Thanks for including my recipes in your roundup! College students should have an easier time of it with this collection!
Katie says
I’m glad you think so! I can’t wait to try some of your recipes that I featured 🙂
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says
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!
Katie says
You are so very welcome! Thank you for having some great recipes that I could use!
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
Thank you so much for including my Mini Calzones and my Cinnamon Roll Cookies!
Katie says
I can’t wait to try those recipes myself!
Hezzi-D says
So many great ideas! i can’t wait to put some of these on my menu plan during the school year!
Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says
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
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
Yay Katie! Thanks for featuring 3 of my recipes. These all look so delicious! Can’t wait to try some of them out!