15 Must-Know Recipes for College Students

College is the perfect time to pick up some cooking skills. These easy and delicious recipes will help you impress your friends, save money, and eat well. With simple instructions and common ingredients, you’ll be whipping up tasty meals in no time. Get ready to elevate your cooking game!

Spaghetti Bolognese

For Spaghetti Bolognese, you’ll need 1 pound of ground beef, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 jar of marinara sauce, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and spaghetti. Cook the ground beef in a pan until browned, then add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft. Stir in the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, letting it simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Combine the spaghetti with the sauce and serve hot.

Chicken Stir-Fry

To make Chicken Stir-Fry, gather 2 chicken breasts cut into strips, 1 bell pepper, 1 cup of broccoli florets, 1 sliced carrot, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon minced ginger. In a large skillet, cook the chicken strips until no longer pink. Add the vegetables and stir-fry until tender. Mix in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and ginger, then cook for another 5 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles.

Omelette

For a simple omelette, you’ll need 3 eggs, a splash of milk, salt, pepper, and your choice of fillings such as cheese, ham, or vegetables. Beat the eggs with milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture into a heated non-stick pan. When the edges start to set, add your fillings to one side of the omelette. Fold the other side over and cook until the eggs are fully set. Slide onto a plate and enjoy.

Tacos

You’ll need 1 pound of ground beef or chicken, 1 packet of taco seasoning, taco shells, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Brown the meat in a skillet, then stir in the taco seasoning and a bit of water, cooking until the sauce thickens. Warm the taco shells in the oven, then fill them with the seasoned meat and toppings of your choice. Serve immediately.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

For a Grilled Cheese Sandwich, you need 2 slices of bread, 2 slices of cheese, and butter. Butter one side of each bread slice. Place one slice, butter side down, in a hot skillet, top with cheese, and then place the other slice of bread on top, butter side up. Grill until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and both sides are crispy.

Pancakes

Gather 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 egg, 1 cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another, then combine them. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using about 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until browned on the other side.

Quesadillas

You’ll need 2 large flour tortillas, 1 cup shredded cheese, and optional fillings like cooked chicken, beans, or veggies. Heat a skillet over medium heat and place one tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle cheese and any fillings on top, then place the second tortilla on top. Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden brown, then flip and cook until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges to serve.

Salad

For a basic salad, you’ll need mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, shredded carrots, and your favorite dressing. Toss the greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss again to coat evenly. You can add extras like croutons, cheese, or nuts if desired.

Chili

Combine 1 pound of ground beef, 1 diced onion, 1 bell pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 cans of beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon cumin. Cook the beef in a large pot until browned, then add the onion, pepper, and garlic, cooking until soft. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, and spices, then simmer for 30 minutes. Serve hot with cheese and sour cream.

Mac and Cheese

For Mac and Cheese, you need 2 cups of macaroni, 2 cups of shredded cheese, 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 2 tablespoons of flour. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. In a saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the flour to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened. Stir in the cheese until melted, then combine with the cooked macaroni.

Fried Rice

You’ll need 2 cups of cooked rice, 1 cup of mixed vegetables, 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon oil. Heat the oil in a large skillet and scramble the eggs, then set them aside. Add the vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender. Stir in the rice and soy sauce, then return the scrambled eggs to the pan and mix everything together. Cook until heated through.

Smoothies

Combine 1 cup of frozen berries, 1 banana, 1 cup of yogurt, and 1 cup of juice or milk in a blender. Blend until smooth. You can customize your smoothie with different fruits, greens like spinach, or add-ins like protein powder or flax seeds.

Chicken Alfredo

Gather 2 chicken breasts, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup butter, 1 pound of fettuccine, and 2 cloves of garlic. Cook the chicken in a skillet until browned and fully cooked, then slice. In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the garlic, then add the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan until melted. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions, then combine with the sauce and chicken.

Burrito Bowls

You’ll need 1 cup of cooked rice, 1 can of black beans, 1 cup of cooked corn, 1 diced avocado, 1 diced tomato, shredded lettuce, and salsa. Layer the rice, beans, corn, avocado, tomato, and lettuce in a bowl. Top with salsa and any other desired toppings like cheese or sour cream. Mix together and enjoy.

Baked Potatoes

For Baked Potatoes, you need 4 large potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and your choice of toppings such as butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Wash and dry the potatoes, then prick them with a fork. Rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake directly on the oven rack for 45-60 minutes until tender. Split open and add your favorite toppings before serving.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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