- Sep 14, 2016
- 4 min read

10 Recipes Every College Student Should Know

This week I went back to babysitting the kids I used to watch when I’m in high school. I feel like the older sister who came back from college and is now here to impart wisdom upon my younger brother and sister.

In reality, they think I’m their best friend and like to try the cool things I tell them, as I am a decade older than them and seem very hip with my cropped skinny jeans and penchant for chai lattes.

While making them lunch they asked what I ate in college and it made me realize how much I blossomed in making easy, cheap meals the last three years. It’s truly an art as a broke girl who loves fine cooking.

I thought today I’d impart on those heading back to school this month the recipes that got me a fantastic GPA – and through very boring lecture halls with 200 students.

The Enthusiast Cooks Recipes For Broke, Hungry College Students

First off, appliances necessary to cook these recipes (make friends with kitchens) are: oven, crockpot, and stove. Find the recipe links in the titles.

1. Turkey Roll Ups

Make your own Turkey Roll Ups at home, just like the Costco version! Not only are they easy to make, but they are cheaper and taste better too!

I love Costco’s turkey roll ups, but they’re too expensive for a college budget. That’s why making your own is a cheap alternative, and perfect for lunch! These were great for keeping to munch on quietly during lunch.

All you will need is:

Tortillas
Cream cheese (or the cranberry cream cheese from the recipe)
Lettuce
Sliced turkey
Swiss cheese
Tomatoes

2. Chicken Pesto Pasta

The most filling dinners don’t need to be very complicated. I loved making this recipe Sunday nights and heating it up after a long day. It’s fancy comfort food and is perfect for when you feel like screaming into a pillow.

All you will need is:

Penne pasta
Chicken breast
Basil pesto
Seasoning

3. Yogurt & Granola

This recipe is the one that I came up with that I seriously eat way too much. It hits all the right spots and is perfect for any time of day. It’s especially great for sitting in front of the couch watching old reruns and celebrating finishing that project 10 minutes before it was due.

All you will need is:

Granola
Yogurt
Strawberries – or other various fruit
Chocolate sauce

4. Breakfast Burritos

Wrap breakfast burritos with plastic wrap

I don’t care what time it is, breakfast burritos are a staple of college life. I ate these any time of day (usually lunch) and they kept me full for hours. And they are so easy to make since you can stick it all in a pan. 10/10 would recommend for busy people.

All you will need is:

Eggs
Sausage
Potatoes
Cheese
Tortillas

5. Crockpot Lava Cake

This is a crowd pleaser and my roommates were shocked at how easy and cheap it was. You can feed a small army with this and no one will complain. It’s rich, sweet, and I make it every time I have more than two people coming over.

All you will need is:

Chocolate cake mix – and the ingredients to make the mix
Chocolate chips
Milk
Chocolate pudding
Ice cream, to serve

6. Breakfast sandwiches

Make Ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches | TheSuburbanSoapbox.com

If you love McDonalds before class, you’re about to get served. These sandwiches are easy and cheap and what I lived off for weeks. Just heat them up before class and you have the perfect hand-sized meal for when you’re running late to your Bio lab.

All you will need is:

English muffin
Eggs
Canadian bacon/sausage rounds/vegetarian alternative
Sliced cheese

7. Crockpot Taquitos

I love Mexican food, but restaurants are pricey. These taquitos are literally the easiest thing ever and I ate them for lunch and dinner whenever I could. I ate them for lunch during the summer and all my coworkers were dying over the yummy scent.

All you will need is:

Tortillas
Chicken breast
Taco seasoning
Cream cheese
Shredded cheese

8. Peach Cobbler

There are three reasons why this fantastic Peach Cobbler can become one of your favorite recipes – it’s super tasty, super simple and super economic.

This cobbler is what got me through the “August 2016 Broke Crisis” because it requires so little and provided dessert for a good two weeks. It’s not only super simple, but hits the spot on those warm days – or after studying for six hours.

All you will need is:

Sliced peaches
Butter
Flour
Sugar
Milk
Baking powder

9. Poached Eggs on Toast

Poached eggs are my go-to for whenever I’m hungry. Super simple to make and they go on about anything. And they are so yummy my ex used to beg me to make him poached eggs for breakfast. This is a staple.

All you will need is:

Eggs
Bread
Salt and pepper
The vinegar in the recipe is optional – I’ve never used it

10. Crockpot Orange Chicken

All you will need is:

Chicken breast
Soy sauce
Barbeque sauce
Orange marmalade

Want to stay up to date with all of my crazy shenanigans, what movies I’m watching, and how to live the best life ever? Add me on Snapchat: PotatoesHegarty

Stay classy, Internet,