Looking for some unique, yet simple, dishes to start incorporating into your life? Over the past few weeks, I have gathered some of my new favorite recipes from desserts to actual meals. Keep reading to see the recipes!

1. Chia Seed Pudding

This was definitely one of the most interesting desserts I have ever made. Buttttt...my friend and I still really enjoyed it! It was super easy to make and is perfect for when you want a small, healthy and customizable dessert! The ingredients are very simple, as you only need 1 cup of coconut milk, 1/4 cups of black chia seeds, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. We added a bit of cinnamon as well, but what makes this dessert so great is that you can add any flavoring you would like! Feel free to even throw some fruits on there as well. Or, if you are looking for something a little bit more yummy, I'm sure a hint of cocao powder would make it taste amazing too! Once you mix all of those ingredients together, just let it sit in the fridge for about two hours and enjoy!

2. Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Who doesn’t love a good Tasty recipe?! I have used this recipe a few times now and totally stand by it!

Begin by preheating the oven to 400 and cut the spaghetti squash. After scooping out the seeds, drizzle with oil and add a bit of salt and pepper. While that bakes in the oven for 40-45 minutes, mix ¼ cup of water, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of sriracha, ½ cup of peanut butter, 1 ½ tablespoons of minced ginger, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic in a bowl. Once the squash is complete, use a fork to pull out the spaghetti part of the squash. In a large bowl, mix the “spaghetti” with ½ large cucumber peeled and quartered, 1 cup of sliced carrots, 1 cup of diced bell pepper, ½ cup of chopped green onion, ½ cup of diced onion, and ¼ cup of chopped cilantro. Then, add the sauce. And finally, you may enjoy!

Spaghetti squash is absolutely perfect to cook with, especially in place of actual spaghetti, because of its health benefits. This superfood is known for its richness in vitamins, minerals, and fiber!

3. Sweet Potato Penne

This is the most recent dish that I made and it was totally scrumptious. The recipe is very simple and only takes under an hour to make! Start by preheating the oven to 350. While that is heating up, chop up a sweet potato and 8 cherry tomatoes. After spraying those with cooking spray, bake for 20-25 minutes. Cook 2 cups of penne pasta and drain. Then, saute ½ of a large diced onion and ½ of a red pepper chopped. After sauteing for 5-8 minutes, add sliced mushrooms and saute for 5 more minutes. Once the pasta is complete and drained, add all of the cooked toppings and top with a bit of garlic powder, pepper, basil, and parmesan cheese. This dish is absolutely amazing for an easy, quick dinner, especially if you are in the mood for pasta that doesn't have the usual tomato sauce!

Although it can be a little tough cooking your own meals while attending a university, these recipes make it just that much easier to achieve! Sometimes cooking meals like this can even inspire you to create your own dishes with your own ingredients.