29 Simple and Cheap College Student Recipes

We all understand the struggle of living on a tight budget, which means frequent takeout or dining out is simply not an option. As every student knows, those costs can skyrocket quicker than you can slurp down a bowl of ramen noodles! And let’s be real, our parents aren’t always around to cater to our cravings. So, what’s the answer? It’s time to embrace the magic of easy, budget-friendly college student recipes! These delightful dishes are not only amazingly tasty but also wallet-friendly. These college student recipes are quick to prepare, so you still have time to study without sacrificing your taste buds!

Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs Recipe

A good Swedish meatball recipe with a creamy gravy means you can avoid the Ikea crowds and make them yourself at home. And you can put these together without a complicated diagram or having two screws left over at the end!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Grab some steaks and Asian seasonings, along with some fresh vegetables, and you can rustle up authentic beef yaki udon in less than 30 minutes. It’s an easy udon recipe which is sweet, aromatic and utterly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Gochujang chicken is sweet, spicy and very savoury. It’s a typical Korean inspired stir fry which looks so appetizing served in butter lettuce leaves with rice and Korean garnishes.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Meatball Marinara Subs

Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs – a satisfying comfort food that’s perfect for lunch or busy weeknights. These sandwiches are far tastier than the fast-food version and are sure to please anyone, regardless of their Italian heritage.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs

Italian Frittata Recipe

Straightforward to make and a treat to eat, this Italian vegetable frittata recipe is definitely a winning recipe. It’s simple to prepare, and you can mix and match the fillings depending on what you have in the refrigerator. It’s the perfect way to use up any vegetables or cooked meats you need to use up.
Get the Recipe: Italian Frittata Recipe

General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

General Tso shrimp is an easy Chinese shrimp dish which you can rustle up in less than 30 minutes. It offers sweet, tangy and savoury flavours, along with a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: Easy General Tso Shrimp Stir Fry

Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap – Tik Tok Recipe

Discover how to fold a tortilla for this special Tik Tok wrap hack. It’s one of the most delicious recipes you can make with ground beef and a tortilla wrap. Use a large flour tortilla if you’re ravenously hungry or smaller tortillas if you prefer. This is a genius way to enclose ground meat, shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes and more in wraps.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap – Tik Tok Recipe

One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

This easy taco pasta is wonderful for dinner and it’s one of the best skill pasta dinner ideas I’ve found. Beef, onion and garlic are dominating flavours in this creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Air Fryer Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets

This air fryer version of manwich biscuits seals the tasty beef mixture inside a biscuit for a delicious meal. Manwich biscuits are the readymade sloppy joe sauce and you just need to cook them while these Pillsbury biscuit sloppy joes are homemade. It is just like a hearty hot pocket that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Unsloppy Joes Biscuit Pockets

Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl – 15 Minute Meal

Pork egg roll in a bowl is a low-carb alternative to traditional egg rolls. This is an easy recipe with ground pork, veggies and other flavours which is sure to satisfy a craving for Asian food. I love this easy one pan meal. If you want something quick and simple for a busy weeknight dinner, consider this 15 minute meal!
Get the Recipe: Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl – 15 Minute Meal

Pizza Sliders

Everyone will rave about these incredibly delicious pizza sliders. They’re everything you love about sliders and pizza. Great comfort food!
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich

There is no sandwich more delicious than a homemade rotisserie chicken salad sandwich. The creamy chicken salad with soft bread are so good!
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Looking for a hassle-free dinner recipe that requires minimal prep? Try this delicious BBQ chicken flatbread that bakes in the oven for a crispy crust and melty toppings! With a pre-made flatbread base and simple BBQ chicken toppings, this recipe is both easy and satisfying, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Try this taco macaroni and cheese, which combines the best of both worlds with Mexican and Italian flavors in every bite. With a cooking time of just 30 minutes in a single Dutch oven, this dish is perfect for those cooler months when you’re in the mood for something hearty and warming.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Salt & Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Rather than ordering salt and pepper pork chop bites from the local Chinese takeout, why not make your own gluten free pork chop recipe instead? The Asian salt and pepper seasoning adds so much flavour and you can make this dish as spicy as you dare!
Get the Recipe: Salt & Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Miso Mushroom Ramen Soup

If you’re looking for cozy, healthy dinner ideas, look no further than this simple gluten free vegan ramen soup. Garlic, ginger, miso, soy sauce, and chillies are just some of the tasty ingredients in this miso ramen recipe.
Get the Recipe: Miso Mushroom Ramen Soup

Black Pepper Chicken

Make restaurant-style black pepper chicken at home in just 30 minutes with this delicious copycat Panda Express recipe. Satisfy your Asian food cravings with this easy and flavorful stir-fry.
Get the Recipe: Black Pepper Chicken

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

This bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish that’s made with thick pasta, two types of cheeses, and two other easy ingredients! Ready to enjoy in just 25 minutes from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Instant Pot BBQ chicken French bread pizza is a super-easy 20 minute meal which I just know you’re going to love. Barbeque French bread pizza offers a change of pace from traditional pizza recipes and combines the deliciousness of baguette bread with some wonderful toppings.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Tortellini Alla Panna

Tortellini alla panna is a simple, mouthwatering Italian pasta dish that covers store-bought tortellini in a homemade creamy parmesan sauce! Take your first bite of this incredible dinner recipe in just over 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Alla Panna

Chopped Italian Sandwich

A chopped Italian sub is sure to satisfy even the strongest hunger pangs. This Italian bread sub with deli meats, cheese, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, and more make a great lunch.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Meatball Sub Casserole

All of the best parts of meatball subs are packed into a casserole form. Use ground chicken for a healthy and tasty option that pairs perfectly with tomato sauce and plenty of cheese.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Sub Casserole

Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

This easy salisbury steak recipe is a classic comfort food that the whole family will love! Juicy steak patties in a savory mushroom gravy with sliced onions and fresh parsley make this the perfect weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

Cheesy Burger Burritos

This recipe began years ago. We were out of buns and the burger burrito was born! We loved ’em so much that we still make ’em with whatever ground meat we have!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Burger Burritos

Crock Pot Hot Dog Chili

Perfect for a lazy weekend cookout or a quick weeknight meal, this savory and slightly sweet Crock Pot hot dog chili is made with ground beef, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and a blend of simple spices. Set it and forget it in the slow cooker, leaving you with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the delicious aroma as it simmers to perfection!
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Hot Dog Chili

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Skip the box mix and get the iconic dinner time flavor on the table at no time. Homemade hamburger helper is fast, filling and loaded with beefy, cheesy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Make this hearty and soul-warming Chicken Noodle Soup in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot! There is nothing like a steaming bowl of tender chicken strips, egg noodles, and hearty veggies in a flavorful broth to keep your whole family warm and toasty on a cold winter night!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Do you have a hankering for comforting classic lasagna but don’t want all the fuss? Then this easy skillet lasagna recipe is for you. In a mere 30 minutes, you can have comforting cheese lasagna for you and your family. A great weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Lasagna