25 College Dinners That Won’t Wreck Your Budget (or Your Sink)

I get that some meals take a lot of time to prepare, time that is often more valuable than the cost of the meal itself. On the other hand, everyone deserves a meal that isn’t prepped by a robot at a fast-food joint. Let’s not get into meals that you eat for sustenance.

You won’t be wrong to put in a little more effort in stocking your shelves and putting in some work in preparing the meals as well. I’m referring to meals that won’t have you buying five different overpriced spices that you will use once, and then take with you to three new homes in the future.

1) Garlic Butter Pasta

I get that this meal is from my motivational food collection, but I only have 12 minutes of motivation so I guess I’ll just boil some pasta.

Next, melt some butter and sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds.

To finish, combine all of the ingredients, then toss in some Parmesan cheese, and black pepper to your liking. Here is a little magic trick that requires no work on your part: pasta water will turn your oily sauce into a nice silky sauce. Additionally, if you want to say it was intentional, you can add frozen peas or spinach.

2) One-Pan Quesadillas

An excellent option for repurposing your leftovers is quesadillas.

Sprinkle some cheese on a tortilla, add some beans or cooked chicken (maybe some sautéed onions), and fold it.

Using a dry pan, cook and cheese until browned and melted, flipping once. (This is where you lose your dignity.) If sour cream is not an option due to the budget, try salsa, hot sauce, or yogurt instead.

3) Egg Fried Rice

This one works best with day-old rice, but I’ve made it with fresh and lived to tell the tale.

First, break the eggs, cook them into an omelet, then move the omelet aside. After that, stir the rice into the frying pan, mix in the soy sauce, and toss any frozen vegetables you wish to use. Some might say that sesame oil is an ingredient you have to include in this recipe. This is false! Feel free to put a little at the end, but the internet trolls should be ignored. Just putting a spoonful of chili oil on the pan can show that you’ve got your life together.

4) Sheet Pan Sausage

Here is where things get slightly ridiculous (in a good way) because you basically dump dinner on a pan and walk away.

You can use any vegetables you like. Some suggestions are bell peppers, onions, broccoli, and zucchini. Once you slice your sausage and chopped your veggies, add a bit of oil along with a touch of salt and some smoked paprika. Bake until the edges are browned and until the sausage looks good. You can have them by themselves, with rice, or even in a late night hero roll!

5) Peanut Noodles

A surprisingly realistic and tasty peanut butter sauce can be made with just a few ingredients. Just combine peanut butter with soy sauce and add a little bit of hot water.

If available, stir in some lime juice.

You can also include a small amount of vinegar.

Toss with ramen noodles or spaghetti and top with cucumbers, carrots, or whatever crunchy thing you can find.

This item was eaten by me at 11:47 P.M. While I stood at the counter, I felt a sense of calm.

6) Chicken Burrito Bowls

Dinner is made easy when you use a rotisserie chicken. Simply shred the chicken and mix it with rice, beans, corn, and salsa. If you like it creamy, you can add cheese or avocado. With multiple meals, it is ideal when you are about to go into a week of midterms.

7) Tomato Soup And Grilled Cheese

Canned tomato soup can be eaten as is, but you could make it creamier by adding some milk while cooking your onions/garlic, as that will add some additional flavor. Your grilled cheese should be as golden as possible, otherwise it’ll just look like a sandwich with cheese and it’ll have no meaning. I don’t care about your opinion, I want to dip like a child.

8) Chickpea Salad Wraps

Mash the chickpeas with a fork. Then mix them with the mayo (or yogurt), mustard, chopped celery, and some salt. It has the same taste and feel as tuna salads and is even better because it is shelf-stable. Feel free to add pickles.

Wrap it up, or eat it with crackers while you pretend you’re “snacking” and not having dinner.

9) Black Bean Tacos

You might want to incorporate some garlic as well. Add the black beans to a pan alongside some cumin and chili powder, and warm them up. When the beans are smashed, they get creamy and sticky which is the perfect consistency for a taco. Add whatever toppings you would like to the tortillas. It is inexpensive and quick meaning after a long day of people watching, it is surprisingly satisfying.

10) Pesto Pasta

I understand that some people critique purchasing pesto from the store, but I happen to find it quite enjoyable. The frozen green beans can be added during the last few minutes of boiling to finish without having to do any extra work. Along with some pesto and a bit of water to help it stick, it becomes pretty much dinner. Moreover, without the lemon, you can take it up another level.

11) Microwave Baked Potato

This is the one pot meal I make when I want to avoid doing pots and pans. First, I take a potato and stab it a few times with a fork and I microwave it until it’s soft enough to eat. Then I’ll open it, mash the inside and put some butter and some salt. After that I’ll mix it with some broccoli that I microwaved and I’ll put the cheese on top to let it melt into the grooves. It definitely is a cheap meal, but it does feel like an achievement.

12) Ramen Upgrade

Instant ramen is great on its own, but can be improved even further! For example, you can add a soft boiled or fried egg for extra protein. You can also add some spinach to make it a little healthier. I usually only add a little of the seasoning that comes with the ramen because I know some of them have a ton of salt. Plus, a little bit of chili oil makes the ramen ten times better and is perfect for a late-night snack!

13) Pantry Pasta

This is for the times you want robust flavors without having the expense of fresh ingredients.

Simmer canned tomatoes with garlic, olives, capers, and crushed red pepper.

You can even use shake cheese; just sprinkle some cheese on top and mix it with your pasta. The flavor is most definitely strong and salty.

14) Stir-Fried Udon

Vacuum-sealed udon noodles are extremely hard to come by, and if you find them, it’s practically a miracle. However, if you can’t find udon noodles, any type of noodles will work. To cook this, stir fry some veggies, and add them to a pan with the noodles and a mix of soy sauce and sugar. Top with a fried egg. For me, the yolk is half the sauce, so I’m not a fan of it.

15) Teriyaki Bowls

You can save time at the store by making your own teriyaki sauce using soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. If you wish, you can also add a cornstarch slurry. First, cook your chicken or tofu, pour in your sauce, and then lower the heat so all the ingredients are well coated in the sauce.

Serve over rice with broccoli or whatever veg isn’t sad.

16) One-Pot Mac And Cheese

Traditional mac and cheese can feel mildly terrifying if you’re new to cooking, so I like the lazy version.

Place the pasta in the pot with the water at a rolling boil. Then, turn the element to low, pour in the milk, and add the shredded cheese while stirring. If you’d like to save your excitement for the cooking show, you don’t really need it to whisk the butter and flour to make it this creamy. If you want to recreate that experience from the cafeteria, feel free to add in the frozen peas. (I do that sometimes).

17) Enchilada Skillet

Think of these as enchiladas without the existential crisis. Rip the tortillas into strips in your skillet or baking dish. Then, create a layer of enchilada sauce, beans, and cheese. Bake until the edges begin to bubble and turn golden brown. Additionally, sliced onions or jalapeños on top will make it seem like you put in a lot more work.

18) Greek Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, olive oil, lemon, and feta make a bright little meal that doesn’t require heat.

Although I like oregano, black pepper is even better. You can eat it directly out of the bowl, you can use your floor outlet, and you can even add it to a pita! Students have a limited range of options when it comes to meals.

19) Breakfast Scramble

Wearing sweatpants to a group meeting is a little risky but they are really comfy; breakfast for dinner is also in the same category.

Sauté diced potatoes (or use frozen hash browns), add peppers/onions if you have them, then scramble eggs right in the pan.

Determine your reality. What will it be? Salsa, hot sauce, or ketchup?

20) Creamy Tuna Pasta

I understand that it’s not everyone’s favorite dish but here is how you make it. Combine your warm pasta and canned tuna and mix. You can add some butter or olive oil. Next add a splash of milk (or water used to boil the pasta) and squeeze some lemon. Finally add some pepper to taste. If you’re really feeling it you can also add peas or capers. For the record it won’t taste like the tuna melt you hate and it will give you some protein.

21) Tortellini Soup

This soup project requires minimal ingredients as only jarred marinara sauce, broth or water, cheese tortellini, spinach, and potentially some parmesan cheese are needed. To prepare it, combine the sauce and broth or water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the cheese tortellini and cook until done. Afterwards, add the spinach so that it wilts and appears fresh. The addition of some parmesan cheese will make the soup feel celebratory.

22) Easy Shakshuka

In theory, shakshuka is simple.

Are you watching the frying pan and trying to decide whether the eggs are done? Join the club! In a saucepan, combine the canned tomatoes, crushed garlic, salt, and seasonings (paprika and cumin). Then, bring it to a simmer. Put the eggs on top and cover the saucepan until the whites are set. Get a piece of toast, pita, or any other bread that is lying around like a faithful dog, and use it to scoop!

23) Butter Chickpeas

This is not traditional butter chicken, but it scratches the same cozy itch for most people.

It’s possible to use garam masala if you have it. otherwise, curry powder will do the trick. Warm your chickpeas and the sauce you’ve made from canned tomatoes and either cream or yogurt and butter, with some mild spices. It’ll be great with rice! I’ve always found the next-day flavor upgrade of leftover food a bit unfair.

24) Oven Nachos

Although you might spend some time preparing them, you can still create dinner with homemade nachos.

Spread chips on a sheet pan, add beans and cheese, and bake until melty and browned in spots.

You will have to gather some additional food items, such as salsa, yogurt, and lettuce. I have witnessed a whole group of friends go quiet over some nachos.

25) One-Pot Creamy Pasta

The last element to keep with “maximal comfort, minimal dishes”! While the pasta is cooking, add the spinach and stir until it wilts and turns into soft green ribbons. For a creamier texture, you could add some cream cheese, a splash of milk, and some grated cheese. These are very soft and satisfying and they also won’t make you have an existential crisis in the kitchen.