Meals for college students
83 recipes
Easy dinners for a first kitchen: eight things to buy or fewer, done in 45 minutes, and $3.50 or less a serving. The cheapest is Crispy black bean burgers at $1.03 a serving, and the average here is $2.25.

Crispy black bean burgers
$1.03 a serving
40 min

Greek spinach rice (spanakorizo)
$1.10 a serving
40 min

Kung pao chickpeas
$1.22 a serving
35 min

Cabbage pancakes (okonomiyaki)
$1.23 a serving
35 min

Haluski (buttery cabbage and noodles)
$1.25 a serving
40 min

Mexican red rice with black beans
$1.29 a serving
40 min

West African–style peanut stew with sweet potatoes
$1.30 a serving
45 min

Cabbage yakisoba noodles
$1.32 a serving
25 min

Butter soy rice with crispy fried eggs
$1.37 a serving
30 min

Sopa de fideo (Mexican noodle soup)
$1.43 a serving
25 min

Stovetop mac and cheese
$1.43 a serving
25 min

Red beans and rice
$1.51 a serving
45 min

Cheesy savory oats with a soft egg
$1.53 a serving
20 min

One-pot chili mac
$1.57 a serving
35 min

Pasta e ceci
$1.59 a serving
35 min

Pasta e patate (pasta and potatoes)
$1.61 a serving
45 min

Black bean and sweet potato tacos
$1.63 a serving
45 min

Spinach and cheddar frittata
$1.64 a serving
35 min

Moroccan-spiced couscous with chickpeas and carrots
$1.65 a serving
25 min

Cheesy bean and rice burritos
$1.65 a serving
45 min

Soft scrambled eggs on buttery toast
$1.65 a serving
12 min

Red lentil soup with lemon
$1.70 a serving
45 min

Pastina with egg and parmesan
$1.75 a serving
15 min

Cheesy broccoli orzo
$1.77 a serving
25 min

Hungarian paprika potato stew
$1.77 a serving
45 min

Tuna kedgeree (curried rice with eggs)
$1.79 a serving
40 min

Proper beans on toast
$1.80 a serving
20 min

Garlicky white bean and spinach pasta
$1.81 a serving
30 min

Lemon garlic chicken thighs
$1.83 a serving
35 min

Pesto pasta with peas and spinach
$1.83 a serving
25 min

Juicy seasoned turkey burgers
$2.01 a serving
20 min

Crispy potato hash with fried eggs
$2.02 a serving
40 min

Pork chops with butter pan sauce
$2.04 a serving
30 min

Huevos rancheros
$2.05 a serving
30 min

Egg roll in a bowl
$2.07 a serving
25 min

Stovetop tuna noodle casserole
$2.10 a serving
30 min

Smashed black bean quesadillas
$2.11 a serving
20 min

Crispy potato tacos
$2.13 a serving
40 min

Sheet-pan chickpea shawarma wraps
$2.16 a serving
35 min

Roasted cauliflower tacos with lime slaw
$2.16 a serving
45 min

Garlicky spaghetti with peas and parmesan
$2.19 a serving
20 min

Crispy tuna melts
$2.20 a serving
20 min

Smoky black bean soup
$2.20 a serving
40 min

Honey mustard pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes
$2.25 a serving
45 min

Crispy black bean tacos
$2.26 a serving
20 min

Creamy cheddar potato soup
$2.26 a serving
40 min

Sizzling veggie fajitas
$2.28 a serving
35 min

Tomato and egg over rice
$2.33 a serving
35 min

One-pot tomato basil pasta
$2.36 a serving
30 min

White bean and cabbage soup
$2.38 a serving
45 min

Creamy tomato penne
$2.39 a serving
30 min

Turkish eggs on garlicky yogurt
$2.45 a serving
25 min

Garlic soy noodles with jammy eggs
$2.47 a serving
35 min

Bacon and crispy fried eggs
$2.48 a serving
25 min

Better instant ramen with a soft egg
$2.48 a serving
15 min

Lemony tuna pasta with capers
$2.49 a serving
30 min

Loaded baked potatoes with broccoli and cheddar
$2.54 a serving
20 min

Korean-style beef bowls
$2.57 a serving
30 min

Soft scrambled egg and black bean tacos
$2.58 a serving
25 min

Pork chops with apples and onions
$2.67 a serving
35 min

Cucumber avocado sushi bowls
$2.73 a serving
40 min

Jammy egg avocado toast
$2.73 a serving
15 min

Spaghetti with meat sauce
$2.80 a serving
45 min

Garlicky pork and green bean stir-fry
$2.81 a serving
20 min

Spanish garlic soup with bread and eggs
$2.82 a serving
30 min

Lemon garlic chicken over rice
$2.94 a serving
30 min

Tomato soup with grilled cheese
$2.94 a serving
45 min

White chicken chili
$3.01 a serving
45 min

Sticky crispy tofu rice bowls
$3.05 a serving
45 min

Shakshuka with toast for dipping
$3.10 a serving
40 min

Cheesy broccoli chicken skillet
$3.11 a serving
35 min

Buffalo chicken rice bowls
$3.12 a serving
30 min

Crunchy beef tacos
$3.22 a serving
25 min

Tuna and white bean salad on toast
$3.23 a serving
15 min

Rigatoni with sausage and spinach
$3.23 a serving
35 min

Teriyaki chicken bowls
$3.25 a serving
35 min

Garlic butter shrimp pasta
$3.27 a serving
35 min

Chicken in creamy garlic spinach sauce
$3.31 a serving
35 min

Lemon oregano tilapia with Greek lemon rice
$3.35 a serving
45 min

Beef burrito bowls
$3.39 a serving
40 min

Mediterranean chicken and couscous
$3.42 a serving
40 min

Creamy sausage, potato and kale soup
$3.44 a serving
45 min

Cheesy chicken quesadillas
$3.49 a serving
20 min
Costs and nutrition are estimates for one serving, worked out from typical US grocery prices and standard nutrition values for what each recipe uses.
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