How to Cook in College: Quick Well Rounded Meals
Photo from Unsplash
Originally Posted On: https://spiceworldinc.com/tips-and-tricks/how-to-cook-in-college-quick-well-rounded-meals/?cn-reloaded=1
How to Cook in College: Quick, Well-Rounded Meals
Headed off to college this fall? Congratulations! You’ve graduated from high school as well as your home kitchen. You don’t need a culinary degree to master college cooking.
All you need is a few easy, budget-friendly recipes and college cooking hacks. Keep reading to learn how to prepare dorm-friendly meals with limited kitchen gear. College Cooking 101 is in session!
Why Learning to Cook in College Matters
Even if you eat most meals on-campus at the dining hall, chances are you’ll be responsible for a few meals on your own each week. Learning to cook offers a range of benefits for your health, finances, and even your social life.
- Home (or dorm) cooking allows you to improve the quality of your diet and control ingredients and portion sizes.
- Cooking can be a relaxing and creative activity to help you unwind.
- Save money: Buy ingredients and prepare multiple meals for the same price as a typical restaurant meal, with no delivery fee or tip required.
- Cooking with a friend and sharing a meal together helps deepen bonds. Cooking is also a fun activity for a date night.
Common College Cooking Challenges (and Easy Fixes)
“It can definitely be difficult to cook in a dorm room, but it is doable… With the right tools and a bit of ingenuity, you can whip up restaurant-quality dishes without the need for ordering out.” – Chef Audrey Bruno via SELF
Just like the learning curve of settling into a dorm room, student meal prep means making it work with less– a smaller space, fewer pieces of cooking equipment, and a tighter budget than when you lived at home. Here are some common challenges and tips for success.
Limited Kitchen Space
Most traditional single-room dorms don’t include kitchens, but you may have a shared kitchenette somewhere in your dorm’s building for all residents to access.
Tip for success: Consider buying a few compact appliances for your dorm room, like a microwave, mini fridge, mini blender, and coffee maker. Be sure to check your college’s housing regulations before bringing appliances like rice cookers or toasters.
Budget Constraints
It can be tempting to order meals through your favorite delivery app, but the costs can add up quickly. When it comes to budget meals for students, grocery shopping beats takeout and delivery every time.
Grocery Tips for College Students
- Consider a membership to a wholesale club.
- Make a shopping list.
- Buy store brands.
- Share bulk items with your roommate(s).
- Use ingredients across multiple meals.
Inexperience in the Kitchen
New to preparing meals? Cooking in college is easier than it sounds.
Cooking Tips for College Beginners:
- Start simple: Look for no-cook recipes, one-pan or one-pot recipes, and microwave recipes.
- Cooking doesn’t need to be fancy—just functional. Try to build balanced meals that include protein, carbs, and produce.
- Save prep time and add flavor to your quick cooking college meals with Spice World ready-to-use garlic, onions, and seasoning blends.
Quick College Meals That Actually Taste Good
We’ve rounded up some easy meals for dorm kitchens that require no prior cooking experience.
Upgraded Instant Ramen
When it comes to fast meals for busy students, there’s a reason ramen has a place on so many dorm room shelves. Try this leveled up instant ramen with a Spice World kick. You’re sure to enjoy every slurp.
Extra credit: toss in pre-cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu
Pesto Pasta
This delicious pesto pasta is as easy as boiling water. Thanks to Spice World Pesto and Spice World Easy Onion, there’s no chopping required.
Pro tip: Drizzle cooked and drained pasta with olive oil to prevent noodles from sticking together.
Tuna and Onion Salad Sandwich
Squeeze and mix your way to a terrific tuna salad. Try it in sandwiches or wraps with fresh fruit or veggies on the side.
Why it’s dorm-friendly: a no-cook recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes
Weeknight Beef Tacos
Grab your friends and try these quick beef tacos on your next Taco Tuesday. It’s a one-pan wonder for when you have access to a cooktop.
Pro tip: Shop for ready-to-eat toppings like angel hair cabbage, shredded cheese, pickled jalapeños, and guacamole to save prep time.
Smart Meal Prep Strategies for Students
Simply put, meal prep refers to planning your meals ahead of time and doing a few tasks in advance.
Weekend Meal Prep Basics
- Prep ingredients, not full meals: Batch-cook grains, proteins, and sauces so you’re assembling rather than cooking during the week.
- Add variety by rotating sauces, mix-ins, and quick proteins like canned beans, canned tuna, chicken sausage, and tofu.
- Master the microwave: from egg breakfast sandwiches to meatloaf, you’d be surprised at how versatile microwave cooking can be for dorm life and weekend meal prep.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to cook is a life skill that can help you build lifelong independence and confidence. Cooking saves time, money, and stress, and gives you a creative outlet to enjoy solo or with friends. Start simple and enjoy the learning process! Find more expert tips and recipe inspiration for your quick college meals at Spice World Inc.
FAQs About College Cooking
What kitchen gear do I need in a dorm?
Start with a microwave and a mini fridge plus a few essential tools: a good non-stick skillet, oven mitt, cutting board, chef’s knife, can opener, measuring cups/spoons, basic cooking utensil set, and food storage containers.
What meals can I cook in a college dorm without a stove?
No-stove college meal ideas include salads, sandwiches/wraps, noodle bowls, smoothies, and overnight oats. You can also prepare quesadillas, macaroni and cheese, pita pizzas, omelet sandwiches, and baked potatoes in the microwave.
Are there healthy meals I can prep on weekends?
Yes! Overnight oats, pasta salads, stir-fry kits, and grain bowls are perfect to prep on weekends.
How can I save money on meals while in college?
Go grocery shopping! Shop the in-store specials to save on pantry staples and frozen items, look for seasonal fruits and veggies, and buy in bulk.
What ingredients should I keep in a dorm room kitchen?
Maximize your mini fridge with nutritious, grab and go options like fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, baby carrots, hummus, string cheese, nut butter, meat and cheese snack packs, and ready-made salads (store-bought or prepped by you).
Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. XPRMedia and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases@xpr.media
