Dinner Ideas for College Students
cheap meals for dinner
- Potatoes
- Beans
- lentils
- tofu
- Pasta
- Tuna (canned or bagged)
- Eggs
- Rice
- Canned and frozen vegetables
20 dinners for college students
1. French bread pizzas: Cut a loaf of French bread in half, then cut it lengthwise again. Spread cut half with pizza sauce, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and desired toppings. Place under broiler for 3-5 minutes until melted and toasted.
2. Sausages and vegetables in a pan: This is a customizable recipe with any type of sausage (including vegetable sausage), potatoes, and vegetables you want. It is drizzled with a simple sweet and savory sauce. Get the Skillet Chicken and Vegetable Sausage Recipe.
3. Loaded baked potato: Use white potatoes or sweet potatoes. Prick the rinsed potato with a fork and microwave for about 8 minutes. Top with combinations such as butter, grated cheese, and steamed vegetables or canned beans, grated cheddar cheese, and salsa.
4. Best burger: Meat is a great source of protein, but it can be one of the most expensive foods on your shopping list. Stretch the ground beef (or turkey) further by tossing it with finely chopped mushrooms before making the burgers. The mushrooms will disappear into the mixture and add a touch of savory flavor. Here is a recipe for a Better burger for you.
5. Crispy tofu: Tofu pressed and cooked in a pan becomes a chicken nugget-like protein that you can eat with rice and vegetables and your favorite bottled sauce. Make a batch for a few meals throughout the week. Get the crispy tofu recipe.
6. Vegetable stir fry: Sauté fresh or frozen vegetables in a pan with a little oil and soy sauce. Remove the vegetables to the side and beat 1 or 2 eggs into the pan. Mix everything together and serve over rice with an optional handful of chopped peanuts on top (peanuts are one of the cheapest nuts, FYI!).
7. Ramen more: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package, then add greens or frozen vegetables, additional proteins (such as beef jerky, peanuts, scrambled eggs, or chicken), and a little sweet/spicy chili sauce and simmer until everything is heated through.
8. Fried Bean Tacos: In a small bowl, mix a large tablespoon of refried beans (or mashed black beans) with a tablespoon of salsa, a handful of grated cheese, and a pinch of taco seasoning. Spread it on a tortilla, fold it in half and cook in a lightly greased skillet until golden and crispy.
9. Tortellini with pesto: Cook a pot of tortellini or cheese ravioli, rinse and drain. Add a few tablespoons of jarred pesto. Top with parmesan cheese.
10. Energy salad: Start with a bagged salad and top with a protein (such as drained and rinsed chickpeas or edamame, canned tuna, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or roasted chicken), add a handful of nuts, apple slices or other fruit, and your favorite salad. bandage.
11. Fried rice: Place a portion of cooked rice in a skillet coated with cooking spray. Add frozen vegetables and cook until heated through. Move everything to one side of the pan, then crack an egg into the other side, pushing until cooked through. Combine with rice, add a splash of soy sauce and stir until everything is combined.
12. baking tray nachos: Spread the tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Top with rinsed and drained beans (or ground beef or cooked turkey), shredded cheese, and corn. Grill for 3-5 minutes or until melted. Scoop out and top with dollops of sour cream, guacamole, salsa, olives, or other favorite toppings.
13. Chicken Parmesan: Cook a pre-breaded chicken breast (like ALDI’s “red bag chicken”) in the oven. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add a tablespoon of pasta sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese on top and bake until melted and bubbly. Eat on top of pasta.
14. Meatball Subs: Cook some frozen meatballs with some spaghetti sauce in a saucepan. Place the spicy meatballs on a toasted sandwich or bun, top with shredded mozzarella, and place under the broiler or in the toaster oven until the cheese melts.
