Finding affordable, easy meals is a challenge many college students face. Whether living in dorms or commuting, students often need quick, budget-friendly options to get through busy days. A few UHD students took the time to share their go-to recipes that are cheap, simple, and perfect for student life.
“I have a lot of food intolerances,” one student commented. “Which makes food somehow more and less difficult at the same time. The budgeting is trickier because things I can eat are more expensive, but also, since there are fewer options, it’s not as hard to choose something. I’ve recently discovered how much I love quinoa, which is great ‘cause it’s gluten-free and it doesn’t cost too much.”
The recipe this student shared is as follows:
Cook one cup of dried quinoa. Once the quinoa has cooked, mix the quinoa with a can of Rotel tomatoes and a can of black beans (or Ranch Style), along with a pound of cooked ground turkey, seasoned with taco seasoning. Once cooled, it can be separated into five to six servings and placed in the fridge.
“The two canned goods can be relatively cheap, and ground turkey tends to be a bit cheaper than beef. But most importantly, you can get a bag of roughly three cups of quinoa for like $4, and when it’s cooked, it ends up being a lot more than it seems. And quinoa is a complete protein all by itself. It’s such a cool grain,” she shared her reasoning for the ingredients used. “Season it to taste as you please, but remember that quinoa will suck all that seasoning up. I like to add a little salsa or another sauce afterward, as I’m about to eat it.”
Another student shared an affordable version of sushi bake using canned salmon, nori (seaweed) sheets, white rice, mayonnaise and sesame seeds.
“The way I do it is if I have leftover rice, I throw about a cup in a bowl,” the student said. “Take a can of salmon, drain out the juice, toss it on top of the rice. Then add mayo or spicy mayo. Mix thoroughly, top with sesame seeds and enjoy it using the nori sheets as crackers.”
For the last recipe a student shared something he calls “The Special”—a nice, protein-filled meal made with leftover white rice, bacon, sausage, ham, barbecue sauce and scrambled eggs.
Another snack mentioned was cream cheese with mini bell peppers and everything bagel seasoning.
Eating healthy in college doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank or sacrificing flavor. These UHD students demonstrate how creativity and planning can lead to simple, affordable meals while still prioritizing nutrition and flavor.
Meal planning is a great way to save both time and money while ensuring there is always something tasty and healthy on hand. When dealing with either food restrictions or just avoiding spending money on takeout, these recipes have students proving that eating well on a budget is totally doable.
Small, thoughtful choices like these can make a big difference in staying energized and feeling good through the school year.
