After four years in college, you'd think that I'd have meals down to a science—roasted chicken with green beans or pot roast with a side salad. I sure thought that, at this point in my life, I'd be having more "grown up" meals than the stereotypical Ramen Noodle dinner. Gradually, I am working on it. With the help of my two roommates and a wonderful "Easy Dinner" board on Pinterest, I'm slowly learning the secrets of adult living on a college student's budget. Of course, I'm not perfect quite yet—I still find myself eating mac and cheese way too often. However, I've put together a list of the few kitchen ingredients that I find help to avoid the noodle-every-day diet that so many college students fall prey to.
1. Protein
Personally, I love to keep either chicken or beef stocked in my freezer. They're both great as main courses or part of a meal. Make hamburgers, marinate a chicken breast, or, if nothing else, add some to your noodles so you're at least getting something other than carbs.
Here's a recipe for an easy chicken breast. It only calls for three ingredients, so go crazy!
2. Veggies
Obviously veggies are not the most desirable food on grocery store shelves. Many people skip right over produce and head straight for the chips and candy. Let me tell you, though, that vegetables are a great way to mix up your dining options. Salad is always an option when you have lettuce or spinach in your fridge. Veggies can be added to most meals as a side or to help complete the meal. I know that no fried rice is complete without peas, carrots, and onions.
Here's an easy recipe for spaghetti squash so you can feel like you're eating pasta, while you're actually getting your daily vegetables.
3. Fruit
This may seem like it should go hand-in-hand with the veggies or should be considered more of a dessert option than a meal, but fruits are an essential part of college eating. Not only are they completely flexible when it comes to meal planning, they're also a great snack to keep you away from the oh-so-easy noodles. Fruits are necessary when making a smoothie, and they're delicious in cereal, oatmeal, or on a bagel. Make sure to always keep some fruit handy in your kitchen, whether is simply apples and oranges, or something more exotic like a mango.
For a delicious, fruity breakfast, try this easily altered, easy to make oatmeal.
4. Eggs
To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of eggs. When I do eat them, I typically avoid the whites which, I know, is the healthiest part. However, even if you're like me, eggs come in handy in so many ways. If you don't want to just cook an egg and eat it, eggs can be hidden in baked goods or even added to your Ramen, just to add a little bit of healthiness to your pasta.
It may not look the prettiest, but I promise that an egg really upgrades your Ramen Noodles. Here's how.
5. Milk
Whether dairy, soy, almond, or lactose free, milk is always extremely useful when it comes to cooking. Not only is it great for making cakes and ice cream, its also used in many soups and, of course, cereal. At the very least, you have the base of a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
To see a list of amazing recipes that require milk, click here.
