What are two things college students don't have a lot of? Cooking equipment and money. It can be hard to find the time to prepare a delicious meal every night, and it becomes even more of a challenge when you're living on a tight budget. Not to mention most college kitchens consist of plastic silverware, a microwave, and maybe three bowls. Keeping these limited resources in mind, I have compiled a list of cost-conscious meals that are keeping with the healthy and fresh flavors of summer.
1. Cherry Tomato Basil Angel Hair
(Recipe found here)
Sounds fancy right? Well, what if I told you this recipe required only 5 ingredients and only takes 20 minutes to prepare? This recipe is great for college students, because every ingredient can be bought in bulk and made time and time again. It's a fresh but filling meal that can be packed for summer picnics or served for large groups of friends. Since it's pasta, it can be reheated and still be delicious, so this meal definitely gives you the bang for your college buck!
2. Chicken Burrito Bowl
(Recipe found here)
No need to spend $8 at Chipotle, when you can make your own delicious burrito bowls! This recipe is great, because half of the ingredients can be bought in bulk and prepared ahead of time. Cook your chicken breasts and cilantro rice at the beginning of the week, and customize your burrito bowls everyday. You can change up the suggested ingredients for more personal tastes, such as adding grilled vegetables, a spicier salsa, or even homemade guacamole.
3. Pesto Chicken Sandwiches
(Recipe found here)
Quick to assemble and extremely delicious to eat, this recipe is great because it only requires one pan for all the cooking, which definitely speaks to the college mindset. Get chicken breasts in bulk and invest in a good loaf of Italian bread, because these are the stars of this dish. Since this meal is a sandwich, it is very low maintenance and once you have the chicken cooked and the tomatoes sliced, all you need to do is assemble!
4. Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
(Recipe found here)
One pan. 5 ingredients. 10 minutes. Quesadillas are the perfect college food because they are simple, cheap, and they can practically be made out of anything. College students tend to pack in lots of cheese and beans, the not-too-healthiest of ingredients. Instead of going for the typical cheese overload, try opting for this recipe's lighter alternatives, which include the chopped vegetables of your choice. It's super simple and it doesn't require any pre-cooking before assembly; however, adding some grilled chicken or beef could enhance the dish without breaking the bank.
5. Naan Bread Pizza
(Recipe found here)
Ah, pizza. The popular meal for late night crowds, and for good reason. Its cheap, bountiful, and filling. Instead of going for delivery or frozen pizzas, try a fresh spin on an individual sized pie. Using naan bread as the crust is great, because it's already seasoned and it's such a good template to play with flavors. This recipe suggests grilled vegetables, but just like with any pizza, you can get creative with your toppings. All you need for the base of this recipe is naan bread, tomato sauce, and cheese and then the topping possibilities are endless!
6. Salmon Ciabatta Sandwiches
(Recipe found here)
Buying and cooking fish can seem daunting for college students; however, this recipe is so simple and delicious that its worth the splurge for salmon. All you need is individual sized rolls of ciabatta bread, pesto, arugula, avocado, tomato, and then you are ready to assemble. This recipe is low maintenance but feels high end which is something that I think many college students would like to indulge in once in awhile.
Summer is about enjoying the warmth, relaxing at night, and spending time with those close to you. For college students, it can be hard squeezing in time to prepare intricate dishes every night, and it seems much easier to just go out or to reheat frozen meals. Hopefully these recipes having inspired the chef inside you college students, and you'll feel compelled to ditch the microwave and get to eating healthy instead! And who knows? With all the money you'll save by cooking your own simple recipes, you might just have some left over cash for summer adventures!
