As someone who spent last semester living off bags of Goldfish, pints of Ben and Jerry’s, and a single packet of plastic utensils, I feel completely okay with classifying myself under the population of university students who are totally clueless in the kitchen. Whether you never learned how to cook before living on your own, or just don’t have access to anything besides a mini-fridge and a microwave, meal planning in college can feel like an impossible challenge. But there are some basics that fulfill the three most important qualities on every student’s grocery list: cheap, fast, and delicious. So, for all those hungry undergrads out there, here are a few options to explore beyond the world of ramen and Easy-Mac.
1. Cereal
Let’s start off with the obvious. Cereal is an essential part of the collegiate diet. It’s inexpensive, quick to prepare, and available in tons of different brands and flavors. That being said, surviving on bowls of cereal every day will get boring incredibly fast, so it’s good to experiment a bit with options outside of the basic Cheerios and 1% milk.
Add in some fresh fruit (swiped from the dining hall), or a handful of raisins, nuts, or cranberries for an energy-packed breakfast, or sprinkle some packaged granola over your favorite yogurt for some variety. If you’re munching on the go, slip a few handfuls into a plastic baggie to keep in your backpack for cravings between classes. And for that perfect midnight snack, try combining a chocolate-based cereal like Cocoa Puffs or Cookie Crisp, with a vanilla almond milk to satisfy your sweet tooth.
2. Bagels
They may not be the epitome of excitement by themselves, but bagels are the building blocks of a ton of quick, tasty meal options. Combine with cheese, vegetables, or a bit of leftover takeout for a perfect sandwich. Or just spread on some peanut butter, cream cheese, or Nutella if you’re in the mood for something sweeter. Plus, just half a bagel is way more filling than regular sliced bread, so one package can last you a lot longer than you might think.
If you find your bagels going stale towards the end of the week, toss them in the toaster and break up crispy bagel bits to use as chips with dips, or hummus, or as yummy homemade croutons in salad. The possibilities are truly endless.
3. Soups and veggies
Is there any food more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a cold, rainy afternoon Soup is just one of those dishes that has a rep for being homey and the go-to option for sick days. Luckily, it’s also one of the easiest to make, so instead of trying to figure out mom’s homemade recipe all you need to do is pick up some microwaveable soup containers to keep on hand for those homesick cravings. You can also save money buying the larger cans and microwaving the soup in Tupperware for multiple servings. Add a few packets of frozen vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and onions to the mix for a more hearty and healthy option.
4. Microwave popcorn
Microwave popcorn is one of the easiest things in the world to make. Just put in a bag, press a button, and you’re good to go. While not full of nutrition, popcorn is still a much healthier alternative to a plate of fries or bag of chips. It makes a perfect mindless study snack for those late nights when you need something to munch on. It’s also handy to keep a few bags in your dorm when friends come over for a Netflix marathon. For those who find plain popcorn a bit of a bore, you can always up the flavor factor by adding some shaky cheese or garlic salt to the bag. And speaking of spicing things up…
5. Seasoning
