Simple Eats for College Students on a Budget: Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Desserts
Being a college student often means balancing a busy schedule while staying mindful of your budget. But just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice delicious, simple meals. Here’s a roundup of easy-to-make, budget-friendly eats to fuel your day from breakfast to dessert.
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Breakfasts
- Overnight Oats Overnight oats are a versatile and affordable breakfast option. Simply mix oats, milk (or a non-dairy alternative), and a sweetener (like honey or maple syrup) in a jar. Add any toppings like fruit, nuts, or seeds, and let it sit in the fridge overnight for a ready-to-eat breakfast in the morning.
- Egg and Veggie Scramble Eggs are a budget-friendly protein. Scramble a couple of eggs with whatever veggies you have on hand (spinach, tomatoes, onions) for a quick, nutrient-packed start to your day. Pair it with toast or wrap it in a tortilla for a breakfast burrito.
- Peanut Butter Banana Toast A classic go-to breakfast! Spread peanut butter on whole wheat toast and top with banana slices. It’s quick, healthy, and only requires two ingredients you likely already have.
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Lunches
- Turkey and Veggie Wraps Wraps are easy to make and cost-effective. Use a tortilla, spread with hummus or mustard, and layer in deli turkey, lettuce, cucumber slices, and any other veggies you have around. Roll it up, and you have a simple and portable lunch.
- Quesadillas Quesadillas are a college staple! All you need is a tortilla, some shredded cheese, and whatever leftover protein or veggies you have. Heat in a skillet until crispy, cut into wedges, and serve with salsa or sour cream.
- Pasta Salad Make a batch of pasta salad at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have lunch for several days. Toss cooked pasta with canned tuna, peas, carrots, and a simple dressing of olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper for a cheap and filling meal.
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Dinners
- One-Pot Chili Chili is a perfect budget dinner that’s hearty and easy to prepare. Combine canned beans, canned tomatoes, onions, and ground meat (or skip the meat for a vegetarian option) in a pot. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
- Stir-Fry Use rice or noodles as your base and toss in whatever veggies you have (frozen veggies work great) with a protein like chicken, tofu, or eggs. Stir-fry everything with a soy sauce-based sauce for a quick, healthy, and affordable dinner.
- Baked Potatoes Potatoes are a budget hero. Bake a potato, then load it up with toppings like sour cream, cheese, green onions, or leftover chili. It’s simple but filling.
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Snacks
- Popcorn is an inexpensive snack that’s easy to make at home. Buy kernels in bulk and pop them on the stove or in a popcorn maker. Add salt, butter, or even some Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Veggies and Hummus Cut up some budget-friendly veggies like carrots or cucumbers and dip them in store-bought or homemade hummus for a healthy snack option.
- Yogurt and Granola Yogurt is often sold in bulk for a good price. Top it with some granola or fresh fruit for a quick snack that feels like a treat.
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Desserts
- Mug Cake You don’t need a fancy oven to make cake! A microwave mug cake takes just a few ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and milk) and a minute in the microwave. Top with chocolate chips or whipped cream if you have them.
- Frozen Banana Bites Slice a banana and spread peanut butter between two slices, then freeze them. Once frozen, dip them in melted chocolate and refreeze for a cold, sweet snack that’s both healthy and delicious.
- No-Bake Energy Balls Mix together oats, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips, then roll into balls. These no-bake energy bites are great to have on hand for a sweet treat that’s also filling.
