Between studying for finals, those frat parties on the weekend, and calling your parents, you don’t really have all that much time to cook. It looks like you’ll be spending another night eating Mr. Noodles and a bag of popcorn. Every college student needs to have a couple of quick and innovative recipes they can make in a pinch. Read on to discover 8 easy recipes that are going to carry you through your college days and right into the real-world.
1. Shrimp & Spinach Pasta
Take the shrimp out of the freezer the morning of and let it defrost in the sink. When you’re ready to make your meal, begin by cooking the noodles on the stove. While the pasta cooks, sauté the shrimp in something lightweight such as olive oil or butter. Once the pasta has finished, add the shrimp and spinach to the top. The spinach will naturally wilt when it comes in contact with the warm pasta. Finish off with your favorite sauce or go sauce-less (the shrimp and spinach will add flavor already).
2. Spinach & Feta Grilled Cheese
This is like your ordinary grilled cheese but better. Add some spinach, feta, and red pepper flakes to a standard grilled cheese sandwich before you cook it on your stovetop. Allow it to cook as you would an ordinary grilled sandwich and then, voila, you will have a very fancy grilled cheese plus a good source of vegetables for the day. Yay!
3. Spaghetti with Kale & Tomatoes
Pasta is one of the easiest things to make as a university student. But by adding fresh veggies to the dish, it can make the meal a whole lot healthier (and will seem like you put in a lot more effort). While the spaghetti noodles are cooking, cut and prepare the kale and tomatoes. Add those to the spaghetti once it’s done cooking and add some garlic for seasoning.
4. Pita Pizza
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Take a whole-wheat pita and spread a layer of marinara sauce on it. Then evenly sprinkle some cheese and other garnishes if you would like (such as parsley, spinach, or a meat) on top. Bake for 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and then enjoy the creation of your labor.
5. Baked Grapefruit
This will be your go-to breakfast! Cut a grapefruit in half and to each of the halves add a little pinch of cinnamon, ginger and brown sugar. Bake in the oven for a couple minutes and then enjoy this flavorful fruit-turned-meal!
6. Chicken Stir-Fry
While it may not be the most elegant stir-fry, this is better than opening another package of Mr. Noodles. Buy pre-cooked chicken that you can heat up in the oven in a couple minutes. While the chicken heats up, cut up some small potatoes as well as vegetables of your choice (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and peppers are all great choices). When the chicken is finished, put the potatoes and vegetables in the oven for about 10 minutes. If you want it to go even faster, you can put the potatoes and vegetables in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. When everything is done cooking, mix it up in a bowl and add some olive oil and seasoning for flavour.
7. Vegetable Omelette
Do you really have no time? Grab all the vegetables you have in your fridge and cut them up into small pieces. Take two eggs and whisks them in a separate bowl. Pour the eggs into a frying pan on your oven top heated to medium. Then go ahead and add the vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, carrots…really anything you like the taste of). Allow the omelette to cook for around 4 minutes or until the eggs are no longer runny. Then all you have to do is enjoy.
8. Homemade Mac n’ Cheese
Boil pasta noodles in a medium pot. When the noodles are finished cooking, drain them in the sink and then return them to the pot. Add butter, flour, milk, and cheese and then stir until the cheese has melted. Empty the noodles onto a plate and enjoy your homemade mac n’ cheese with an easy-to-make side salad.
With these quick, easy, and innovative meal ideas, you are never going to eat the same way again. Let these recipes inspire you to get in your kitchen and start eating (relatively) healthy, all without sacrificing your precious studying and partying time. So now that your stomach is grumbling, which recipe are you going to try first?
Featured image via Dana Tentis on Pexels
