Part of growing up and going to college is figuring out how to feed yourself. It sounds simple, I know, but how many times have you aimlessly driven around town searching for your next meal? The dining halls are too crowded, you can't find a park at Chipotle and as delicious as it sounds, Mexican and margs at El Rodeo every night isn't great for your bank account. Learning to cook (at least a few dishes) will be seriously beneficial for not only your empty stomach, but also for your wallet.
When you move off campus, finding something to eat isn't as simple as walking to a dining hall. Even though apartments offer private kitchens with appliances other than a microwave and mini-fridge, many students find themselves continuing to live off easy-mac and cereal. Here are a few quick and easy meals that even the most inexperienced college kid can put together on a budget.
- Tacos
- Let's be real, who doesn't love tacos? You'll need a pound of ground beef and a packet of taco seasoning. Cook the beef on the stove top until browned, drain the fat, and add a quarter cup of water and the packet of taco seasoning. Let this simmer for 10 minutes. Most importantly, STIR the mixture occasionally, nobody wants taco meat that's been scalded to the bottom of your pan. Throw it into a tortilla or taco-shell and add a little cheese, lettuce or whatever other toppings will help you to hit all the major food groups for the day.
- Estimated cost: $13
- Feeds: 5
- Spaghetti
- Ramen is great, but it's also incredibly high in sodium and not the most nutritious pasta option. Satisfy your craving for carbs with this easy spaghetti recipe that tastes much better than a basic can of Prego. Brown 1 pound of ground beef with 1/4 cup of onion. Combine this mixture in a pot with a jar of store bought marinara, a can of stewed tomatoes, 1/4 cup of water, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 tablespoon of dried basil, 2 tablespoons of dried parsley and a teaspoon of chili powder. Let all this cook for an hour or so and then throw some noodles in a pot of boiling water.
- Estimated cost: $16
- Feeds: A ton. You'll definitely have leftovers.
- Stir-fry
- Stir-fry is definitely the easiest and cheapest option for a quick meal at home. You can buy frozen stir-fry mix at any grocery store. Cook the vegetables/noodles until thawed in a pan on the stove-top, and then add the sauce that's included in the package. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Estimated cost: $5
- Feeds: 2
- Pork or turkey tenderloin
- You can buy these pre-marinated so all the effort required is throwing it on the grill or into a baking pan. Roast at 425 degrees for approximately 45 minutes in the oven or over medium heat on the grill for 35 minutes, flipping as needed. It's healthy, it tastes great, and your friends are going to think you're a really great cook. Don't forget to add a few vegetables (canned veggies work) as sides. Boom. Home cooked meal. Your mom's going to be so proud.
- Estimated cost: $10
- Feeds: 4 or more
Put down the phone, you don't need to order pizza for the third night in a row. These go-to meals are easy, delicious and most importantly, cheap!
