Oh… college! Late-night study sessions, new friends, and the eternal struggle of figuring out what to eat that isn't pizza or instant ramen. We've all been there: staring at an empty fridge or dreading another trip to the dining hall. But what if we told you that eating well on a budget isn't just a fantasy? With a little planning and a few clever hacks, you can cook up some delicious, cheap meals that will make your wallet happy and your tastebuds even happier.
Microwave Meals for Dorm Life
If you’re in a dorm and don’t have access to a full kitchen, your microwave is about to become your new best friend. Forget bland, pre-packaged dinners. Here are some easy, versatile, and surprisingly nutrient-rich microwave meals that you can make without the stovetop.
Who says you have to boil pasta? With this spinach ricotta lasagna in a mug, enjoy a comforting twist on a classic meal right from the comfort of your own twin bed.
Looking for something a little bolder? Try out Old El Paso’s recipe for microwave chicken enchiladas! This recipe makes enough to share with friends, which means that you can split the costs to make it an even better deal.
What if you're craving something specific, like the dish your family used to have every Sunday? There's a good chance this website will have a similar option for you to try. Here’s a great resource to check out if you are craving something in particular: https://dormroomcook.com/.
For those with a kitchen at their disposal…
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Now, for those of you with access to a kitchen, the possibilities are endless. The trick to saving money is to plan. That's why you should plan out your grocery list before getting to the store and come up with meals that can use overlapping ingredients. This will save you time, money, and resources, and it'll ensure that you actually use all the groceries you buy. We know how easy it is to let food go to waste…
Courtesy of The Kitchn's 'Power Hour Meal Prep Plan' series, here is a meal prep grocery list that can be turned into enough meals to last five days for two people. The best part? This grocery list should cost you about $70 total.
Let’s start with the ingredients you will need to pick up:
🥬 Produce: 3 large sweet potatoes, 1 pound shiitake or cremini mushrooms, 4 bunches lacinato or curly kale, 1 knob fresh ginger, 1 bunch bananas
🦐 Seafood: 4 boneless salmon filets (6 ounces each)
🥚 Dairy/Eggs: 1 quart whole milk, 1 dozen large eggs
🥫 Pantry Items: 1 box of orzo (16 oz.), rolled oats, 2 cans chickpeas (15.5 oz.)
🧊 Refrigerated Items: 1 lb. whole wheat pizza dough
With this short list of ingredients, your options are endless! Here’s a handful of ideas of what can be made following this grocery trip:
- Maple-Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Banana Oat Smoothie
- Chickpea and Sweet Potato Pockets
- Seared Salmon
- Orzo Bowls
- Cauliflower Rice Bowls
- Crustless Quiche
- Soy Ginger Scrambled Eggs
Find all these recipes and more here!
So… what are you waiting for? Grab a list and start your weekly meal prep journey! You'll be amazed at how a budget-friendly grocery trip can yield a different delicious dinner every night.
Smart Grocery Shopping Tips
To make your dollar go even further, here’s a few tricks to keep in mind when planning your next trip to the grocery store:
1. Shop in the early morning or late evening for the extra deals.
Insider tip: Overnight, many stores will mark down their produce, bakery and meat items that are nearing expiration. Getting to the store first will give you the best shot to snag some of these items.
Similarly, if there are perishable items that must be sold before closing, stores will often go ahead and discount these items in the evening. Doing your grocery shopping after 7p.m. will open the door to deals on food such as deli items, fresh bread, or ready-to-eat meals.
2. Wednesdays = Best Days
Here’s why: Wednesdays are when grocery stores release new discounts for the week, but they will still honor the discounts posted the prior Wednesday, too! By stacking both weeks’ deals, you have the perfect opportunity to save big-time.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also a common day for stores to restock kitchen staples like produce, meat, and dairy. Get your first pick on the food while grabbing markdowns along the way.
3. Know when seasonal produce is at its peak
This is a win-win situation. When produce is in season, the quality will be at its best, and the prices will be at their lowest. Check out this chart below, courtesy of the Colorado Department of Agriculture to see when certain produce is in season in Colorado!
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Whether you're a dorm-dweller with nothing but a microwave or a kitchen-equipped campus chef, eating well on a college budget is totally doable. By getting creative with microwave meals and mastering the art of the meal-prep grocery haul, you can save money and eat better than ever. The key is to plan ahead, be smart about where and when you shop, and don't be afraid to try some new recipes. So next time you're about to order a sad, expensive takeout meal, remember these tips and whip up something cheap, delicious, and easy instead. Your stomach and your wallet will thank you!