Eating well on a budget can be tricky for students, especially when their time and energy are limited. But it doesn’t have to be!
With these 10 simple, cheap and quick meals, you’ll be able to eat delicious, nutritious food without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a great meal that won’t take up your entire evening or just need something fast and tasty that won’t break the bank, this list of recipes has got you covered.
All of them are easy to make yet full of flavor — giving you plenty of options so you don’t get stuck in an eating rut. So if you’re ready to explore some new flavors while still saving money and time, let’s dig in!
Contents
Spaghetti And Meatballs
Few meals offer the same comfort and ease as spaghetti and meatballs. A classic Italian dish, it’s become a staple in households across the globe due to its quick prep time, budget-friendly ingredients, and delicious flavor.
It’s no wonder that college students everywhere turn to this meal when they need something hearty yet simple. For those on a tight budget, ground beef is an ideal choice for making your own meatballs at home – simply combine with some breadcrumbs and herbs to make sure your homemade balls aren’t dry or crumbly.
As assembling the sauce only requires tomato paste, garlic powder, oregano, and olive oil (all staples of any pantry), you can enjoy your meal without having to break the bank. In minutes you’ll have a tasty dinner ready to be served; all you need now is a side salad or some fresh bread!
Vegetable Fried Rice
This veggie-packed fried rice is a great meal for budget-conscious students!
You’ll need long grain white rice, frozen vegetables, onion, garlic, oil, and soy sauce.
To make it, start by cooking the rice according to package instructions.
Then, heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onion and garlic for a few minutes.
Add the frozen vegetables and cook until heated through.
Finally, stir in the cooked rice and soy sauce and cook until everything is heated through.
If you want to spice it up, add sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.
This dish is also great with scrambled eggs or cooked shrimp.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
When it comes to budgeting tips, meal planning and quick easy meals for students – vegetable fried rice is always a hit! Not only does it make the most of ingredients you already have in your pantry, but it’s also incredibly tasty.
All you need are some vegetables like carrots, onions, garlic and green peppers – plus some cooked long grain white or brown rice. As an added bonus, if you’re on a tight budget this dish works perfectly with leftover rice too!
With just a few ingredients that won’t break the bank, you can whip up this delicious dinner in no time at all. So why not give vegetable fried rice a try tonight? You’ll be glad you did!
Cooking Instructions
Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to get cooking!
Making vegetable fried rice is really simple and doesn’t take long at all.
Start by heating some oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Then add the vegetables like carrots, onions, garlic and green peppers – plus any other quick substitutes that suit your taste buds.
Saute these until they are tender and golden brown.
Next add cooked white or brown rice and season with salt & pepper to taste.
Stir-fry everything together for about five minutes until heated through before serving up this delicious budget meal!
Enjoy!
Variations
For the budget-conscious, vegetable fried rice is an excellent choice. It’s easy to make and it won’t break the bank! Plus, there are endless variations that you can try out depending on what ingredients you have on hand.
For example, if you want a heartier meal add some quick breads like naan or roti for extra protein and flavor. Or maybe throw in some hard boiled eggs for a unique twist? The options are practically limitless!
And best of all, this dish is still friendly to your wallet – so dig into deliciousness without worry!
Baked Potato Soup
Wrapping up our previous topic, vegetable fried rice is a time-saving, budget friendly meal that makes for the perfect quick supper. With just a few simple ingredients and some easy prep work you can have your table set in no time!
Let’s transition to another fantastic meal – baked potato soup. A great way to fill both stomachs and hearts with warmth on a cold winter’s night, this dish is also incredibly affordable, making it an ideal choice for those looking to save money while still enjoying delicious food.
The preparation of this comforting classic takes very little effort:
Boil potatoes until they are soft
Peel if desired
Cut into cubes or mash them
Sauté onions & garlic in butter then add flour & milk to make the roux base
Add broth, seasonings, cream (optional), and cooked potatoes
Simmer all together for about 15 minutes or until thickened
This hearty soup will leave bellies full without breaking any budgets. Enjoying home cooked meals doesn’t always require hours at the stove; sometimes it only requires a few simple steps and minimal ingredients. Baked Potato Soup proves that even when cooking on a tight schedule and budget, tasty dinners are achievable!
Fiesta Burrito Bowls
Let’s spice up your next meal with a Fiesta Burrito Bowl! This quick and easy dish is perfect for students on the go.
Start by prepping all of your favorite taco fillings or burrito toppings, such as ground beef, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Then lay out an array of colorful ingredients in separate bowls to create your own custom burrito bowl – it’ll be like creating your very own fiesta!
Once you’ve got everything ready to go, just pile a heap of deliciousness into one big bowl and dig in. The combination of flavors will leave you feeling satisfied and energized – no need for takeout when you can make something this good right at home!
Plus there are endless possibilities so you can mix it up each time you make it. So why wait? Get creative and whip up some Fiesta Burrito Bowls today!
Tomato And Basil Pesto Pasta
Cooking up a delicious meal doesn’t have to be long and tedious – sometimes, it’s as easy as tearing open a package of pasta. Tomato and basil pesto pasta is the perfect dish for college students looking for something quick, budget-friendly and tasty!
This simple yet flavourful Italian classic can be prepared in no time with just a few ingredients:
Pasta: Any kind you like – penne, spaghetti or macaroni are all great choices.
Pesto sauce: You can use store-bought or make your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes offer the best taste but canned ones work too!
Basil leaves: A handful of fresh basil leaves will add an irresistible aroma to the dish.
In addition to being fast and inexpensive, this recipe requires minimal skill level so it’s ideal for those who don’t have much experience in the kitchen.
All you need to do is:
Boil the pasta according to package instructions.
Heat up the pesto sauce on medium heat.
Mix in diced tomatoes and torn basil leaves.
Serve warm with some parmesan cheese for extra flavor – et voila!
In no time at all you’ll be enjoying a hearty plate of tomato and basil pesto pasta that will satisfy any hungry student’s cravings without breaking their wallet.
Asian-Style Noodle Bowls
Asian-style noodle bowls are the perfect quick, easy and cheap meal for students. From filling stir fry sauces to delicious ramen noodles, these dishes can be made in no time at all and with minimal effort.
Table 1 below shows a list of ingredients you’ll need to create your own Asian-style bowl feast:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soy sauce | 2 tbsp | Low sodium preferred |
| Rice vinegar | 2 tsp | Unseasoned is best |
| Sesame oil | 1 tsp | Dark or light both work |
| Garlic cloves | 2 minced | |
| Ramen noodles1 pack (3 oz) |
To begin making this delectable dish, heat up some cooking oil over medium-high heat in a large pan or wok. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Throw in your veggies such as carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers and broccoli – anything you have on hand that’s fresh will do! Once vegetables are cooked through add the soy sauce mixture into the pan and give it a good stir before adding the ramen noodles. Keep stirring until everything is evenly coated before taking off the heat and serving hot. Enjoy!
Conclusion
The next time you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, consider these ten meals. From spaghetti and meatballs to Asian-style noodle bowls, each one is simple, budget friendly and delicious. Plus they can all be made with ingredients that most students will already have in their pantry.
So don’t let hunger get the best of you – whip up one of these tasty creations and enjoy! These ten recipes are sure to make your student life easier when it comes to mealtime. You won’t need expensive or hard-to-find ingredients either – just a bit of creativity and you’ll have yourself an amazing dinner without breaking the bank.
Now go on, grab those pots and pans – dinner’s waiting!