College students if anything, are known to be pretty notorious for living on the edge and relying on those $1 store pizzas coated with cheese that tastes like plastic! Every college student needs to eat and it’s important to get nutritious meals, not just survive off of Ramen, and that is where meal prepping comes into play!
And this article will be the first step into changing that, we guarantee you this!
Unfortunately, due to limited funds, it can be difficult for a college student to maintain a balanced diet. Most college kids don’t have the budget for extensive meal prepping, so this article is perfect for them.
In this article, we will give you 11 budget-friendly college meal prepping ideas that are sure to help any college student save money while still maintaining their health needs!
So, if you need to eat well without breaking the bank, then you have certainly stumbled across the right place for meal prepping ideas!
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Table of Contents
Why Should You Meal Prep?
As a college student, if you give meal prepping some thought, you might start thinking that it is simply too much work, especially if you have a few parties you would like to catch up with and we get that!
However, we are positive we can change your mind once we start telling you why you should get into meal prepping!
Saving Money
The first obvious reason here that we cannot fail to mention is that meal prepping is the easiest and fastest way to save money, it just needs a few hours of your time!
Meal prepping is one of the best ways to save money and stay healthy while in college. A little bit of meal prep can go a long way!
It’s good for budget-conscious college students because it allows you to buy food in bulk which is cheaper than buying convenience meals at the store or dining out constantly.
That amount of money you spend every single weekend when you go out on food and drinks can easily be used to buy you plenty of groceries that you can cook up and meal prep for the week!
Better Finances
Another benefit to meal prepping is getting more involved in your finances, because this, meal prepping aside, is a great life skill to acquire. So imagine it comes easily to you just by meal prepping!
It allows you to budget properly for your meals per week or per month while dividing everything accordingly and according to your needs.
Still not convinced, well hang out because we got some more benefits for you coming your way!
Saving Time
When you meal prep, you save time too, and let us tell you how!
Imagine coming back home after a long, packed day or classes, only to realize that you still have to prepare an entire meal from scratch, sounds exhausting right?
You might be thinking but meal prepping will also take a long time, which if anything beats the whole point of saving time, except, not really!
Spending a maximum of 4 hours on a Sunday let’s say when you are well rested to make your meals that could last you up to 10 days, is so much better than spending time every single night after a long day just so you don’t sleep with an empty stomach or spend money to order take out!
Everything Done at Once
Last but certainly not least, you are free to cook however fits your schedule!
This means that if you have enough time to cook things separately and get creative, you can do that, and if you don’t you can also pop everything in one pot and ta-da!
Not so time consuming or tiring anymore right?
Now that you have started to better understand the benefits of it, shall we get into the meal prepping ideas?
Meal Prepping Ideas
You have finally made it to the fun section, where all the magic happens!
In this section, we will discover all the different recipes you can make as a part of meal prepping for an entire day!
Yep, you read that right, but reading this article (and hopefully following the meal ideas we share), you will be set for your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a little snack as an extra, so follow along!
Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, as it provides the necessary energy and nutrients to kick-start your day. However, in the midst of busy mornings, it can be challenging to prepare a healthy and satisfying breakfast.
Overnight Oats
Overnight oats meal prepping idea is the easiest meal you can start with, especially for breakfast. Oats in general are very high in protein and are very healthy for you to consume seeing the amount of nutrients they contain!
The ingredients are probably already in your cabinet too, and that is the best part!
All you need are some rolled oats, any milk of your choice, Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey and a tiny pinch of salt. Mix everything together in a bowl and then divide over containers for the week and put it in the fridge.
Once you are ready to eat it you can just grab it from the fridge and eat it right away or you can top it up with some fruits or nuts if you have any at the house!
Oats like this can be stored for up to 5 days in the fridge which is definitely long enough to get you through the week with a nice, healthy breakfast!
Keto Egg Bites
Keto Egg Bites are not only a great meal prepping idea for breakfast too, but they are also perfect for those who follow a keto diet! A two-in-one!
These egg bites can be made in an instant pot or in an oven and can be stored up to 4 days in the fridge.
All you need for this is eggs (about 6), cream cheese, bacon, bell peppers, onion, garlic powder and some spices of your choice. Whisk the eggs along with everything else then grease your muffin pan so they do not stick to the bottom and pour your mixture evenly.
If you want to top it off with some cheese you can! Put it in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes then enjoy!
Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast sandwiches are an easy go-to meal prepping idea for college students as they are both delicious and budget friendly!
All you need is a bagel, an English muffin, or a croissant of your choice, some eggs, cheese slices, and cooked bacon or sausage patty depending on what you prefer.
You can make multiple of these at the same time, and you can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just heat it up in the microwave or oven when you are ready to eat it!
Lunch Meal Prep Ideas
Now that breakfast is covered, by the time your stomach starts growling again, you would already have an idea about what your next meal would be, here are our meal prepping ideas for lunch!
Taco Bowls
Taco bowls are a great option for lunch meal preps! You can store them for up to 4 days in the fridge and they are so easy to make.
All you need is some white or brown rice, taco seasoning, black beans, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cheese. Cook the ingredients together, divide them between containers and you are good to go!
Baked Feta Pasta
Baked Feta Pasta has become a viral sensation in recent years due to its delicious taste and easy preparation, and that is why it has made it to our list!
All you will need for this recipe is feta cheese of course, pasta of your choice, cherry tomatoes, onions and garlic, olive oil, pepper flakes, and finally some salt and pepper.
Grab your oven dish and center your feta cheese in the middle, put the cherry tomatoes all around it then drizzle some olive oil on top, throw your onion and garlic in, season it with salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and in a preheated oven it goes for 35 minutes!
In the meantime boil your pasta and set it aside, once your dish is out of the oven mix everything together and add your pasta as the last step!
Deconstructed Pot Lasagna
Deconstructed Pot Lasagna is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that doesn’t require an oven, and on top of that, it is very budget-friendly too!
Here are the ingredients you’ll need: ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed and diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil and oregano, salt, black pepper, lasagna noodles, water, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley this one is optional.
To start, brown the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Remove the beef and set it aside, leaving the grease in the pot. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed and diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried herbs, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the broken lasagna noodles and water to the pot, stir and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
While the pot is simmering, mix ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan cheese together in a small bowl. Once the noodles are cooked, add the cooked ground beef back to the pot and stir to combine.
Ladle the Deconstructed Pot Lasagna into bowls and top each bowl with a dollop of the ricotta-Parmesan mixture. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if you would like!
Once everything is done let it cool for a bit before you store them
So, let’s get cooking!
Dinner Meal Prep Ideas
Let’s be real, college life can be hectic, and cooking a nutritious dinner can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Between classes, studying, and socializing, it can be tempting to reach for instant ramen or a bag of chips.
But no worries my friend because with a little bit of meal prepping, you can have a delicious and healthy dinner waiting for you in no time. Plus, you’ll impress your friends with your cooking skills (or at least with your ability to use a knife and a cutting board).
So, let’s dive into some dinner meal prepping ideas that will save you time, and money. Let’s get cooking!
Beef Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff is a classic dish that is sure to be a hit with family and friends. It’s also an easy meal to prep ahead of time, giving you one less thing to worry about during the week.
And if you are looking for a tasty and easy beef stroganoff recipe, then here it is! You’ll need beef sirloin, butter, sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, minced garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, egg noodles, salt, and black pepper.
Cook the beef in butter until browned, then add mushrooms, onion, and garlic, cooking until softened. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Cook noodles separately, then serve the beef stroganoff on top of the noodles. Yum!
Store this for as long as you need, but not for more than a week!
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a delicious and healthy meal prep idea for college students. This salad is packed with flavor, thanks to the addition of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a simple homemade dressing. Plus, it’s high in fiber and protein so you can stay full longer!
To make this salad you will need you’ll need chickpeas, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
Mix the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, feta cheese, and parsley in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve chilled and enjoy the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean!
Thai Peanut Chicken
Thai Peanut Chicken is a delicious meal prep option to go for as a busy college student. This dish is packed with flavor thanks to the peanut sauce and can easily be customized to your tastes. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be stored in the fridge for up to five days!
So, if you’re craving something with bold flavors, try this recipe! For this, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, vegetable oil, minced garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, peanut butter, red pepper flakes, and coconut milk. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook in a large skillet with oil until browned.
In a separate bowl, whisk together garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, peanut butter, red pepper flakes, and coconut milk. Pour the mixture over the chicken and simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve over rice and garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors in this easy headache-free Thai-inspired dish!
Snack Meal Prep Ideas
Ohh snacks, finally! Sometimes you don’t really want to eat, you just want a little pick me up for a snack, we got you covered on that too!
Homemade Granola Bars
If you are a college student, then you probably survive off of granola bars anyway, so why not make it healthy?
To do this, you will need rolled oats, nuts, seeds, honey, nut butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Mix the oats, nuts, and seeds in a large bowl. In a saucepan, heat the honey, nut butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Pour the mixture over the oat mixture and stir until everything is well-coated. Press the mixture firmly into a baking dish and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
Let cool, then cut into bars. These granola bars are perfect for on-the-go snacking or a quick breakfast option.
Peanut Butter Bites
Peanut Butter Bites are a delicious and healthy snack that makes for great meal prepping ideas for college students. This simple recipe requires just four ingredients: peanut butter, honey, shredded coconut, and mini chocolate chips.
Mix the peanut butter and honey in a bowl until smooth. Add in the shredded coconut and mini chocolate chips, and stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Freeze for 10-15 minutes until firm. These peanut butter bites are perfect for a quick and easy snack that’s both sweet and satisfying. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer and enjoy whenever you need a boost of energy!
Also Read; Super Snacks For Efficient Studying
Final Words
Overall, meal prepping on a budget does not have to be difficult. With these 11 budget-friendly meal plans or quick meals for college students, you can start saving money and time while still eating delicious meals.
Make it a point to grocery shop smarter, prioritize your protein intake, get some fresh fruit, and cook in bulk – all of which are easy ways to help you save money in the long run without sacrificing great-tasting food!
Ok, that’s it for today, we covered a lot for meal prepping ideas on a budget. As you know we’re always providing valuable tips for students and if you like to learn more you can always visit our student blog.
Happy cooking!
