Cheap Foods for College Students: Hacks You Need to Know

Trying to stay on a tight budget in college is a challenge most students know too well. Food and drink purchases can add up, and with so much temptation to go out with friends, meet classmates for coffees and enjoy dinner dates, you’ll want to eat cheap at home or in your dorm whenever you can. Whether that means finding the best student food deals, using your dining hall to your advantage, or becoming best friends with your microwave, we’ve got the best hacks for cheap foods for college students.

Top Food Hacks for College Students

Use Your Drip Coffee Maker for More than Coffee.

Most of the following ideas can be adjusted for an electric kettle if you don’t have a coffee machine.

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For busy college students, a quick meal you can make with minimal equipment is a must. The following coffee pot ideas can all be whipped up in minutes, and using only a coffee pot (and maybe a spatula here and there). No preparation, cheap ingredients and quick and easy clean up make these classic ideas for college students. For other fun college hacks, click here.

1. Hot Chocolate:

Fill up your coffee pot half way with milk and one bag of chocolate chips. Then brew two cups of water. Stir well, and you have homemade hot chocolate.

2. Hot Dogs:

Fill up the entire water reservoir, and let the coffee pot brew the water through. Then add as many hot dogs as you want and let cook for five minutes.

3. Pasta and Spaghetti Sauce:

Put the dried spaghetti in the pot, and let the coffee pot brew. Wait until the pasta is cooked, then drain the pasta. Afterwards, add your favorite sauce, stir, then put the carafe with the pasta and sauce back on the heat to get everything warm again. No plates or bowls needed.

4. Ramen:

Fill up the reservoir with water, put the dried noodles in the pot and let it brew. Add the flavoring packet afterwards and stir well. You don’t even need a bowl.

5. Steamed Vegetables:

Put in a paper coffee filter (or rinse your reusable one well) and add vegetables to the basket. Let the entire pot amount of water brew through, and your veggies will be steam cooked.

6. Hard-Boiled Eggs:

Drop however many eggs you want to cook into the pot, and let it brew a full pot of water. When the coffee pot is done brewing, you’ll have fully cooked hard-boiled eggs.

7. Sausages:

Both sausages and bacon can be made easily on the stove pad of the coffee maker. Just cut the sausage or bacon to fit, if necessary, and grab a spatula. Don’t forget to wipe down the plate once its cooled down.

8. Grilled Cheese:

The hot plate part of the coffee pot is just like a mini electric stove top. First, line the burner plate with foil. Take two slices of bread and your favorite cheese (butter optional), grab your spatula and you’ll have grilled cheese in no time.

9. Pancakes:

Same idea as the grilled cheese and sausages here — use the hot plate just like you would a stove. You’ll need pancake mix, water, and a spatula, or you can use a homemade pancake recipe, like this one.

Fall in Love with Mug Meals

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These easy to make, easy to clean up meals/treats will make you happy you kept that weird mug. Enjoy some of your classic favorites using only a mug and a microwave.

Egg in a Cup:

For a quick bite in the morning, or for a protein-fueled afternoon pick-me-up, this dish is ready in just 90 seconds.

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Cooking Spray
• Salt/Pepper

How To: Spray your mug with cooking spray, or coat lightly with another fat. Crack two eggs into the mug and whisk with a fork. Microwave for 45 seconds, then flip the egg and microwave for another 45 seconds.

For even more variations on this easy dish, click here.

Mug Cookie:

You need no excuse to indulge in this little treat. If you’re craving sweets but don’t have the time or energy to go to the store or bake an entire batch, mug desserts are your new best friend. Mug cookies can be ready in less than five minutes and require almost no clean up.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tb butter
• 2 Tb white sugar
• 1 Tb brown sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• ⅓ c flour
• chocolate chips (you choose the amount)

How to: First, melt the butter in the microwave. Then take the mug out and stir in the sugars until completely combined, then add the vanilla. Add in the egg once the mixture has cooled slightly, then add in the flour, baking powder and salt. Finally, carefully stir in the chocolate chips and microwave for 1-2 minutes.

The options for mug desserts are endless. You can make mug brownies, mug muffins, even mug apple crisp. For many more delicious, easy and quick recipes, click here.

Mac and Cheese in a Mug:

This is a great option for if you are looking for a quick and easy meal for one, or if you’re just craving some comfort food.

Ingredients:

• ⅓ c elbow pasta
• milk
• shredded cheese
• ½ c water

How to: Put the elbow mac and cheese in your mug, and then add the water. Microwave for two minutes, stir, and microwave for another two minutes until the noodles are soft. Then, add in a bit of milk and shredded cheese. Add as much or as little milk and cheese as you prefer; if you prefer a more creamier mac and cheese, add more milk.

Stock Up on Condiments from the Dining Hall

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If you’re an on-campus student, your living fees come with a meal plan. Get your money’s worth by stocking up on some things that you can use later:

Milk, Yogurt:

Bring empty bottles with you to the dining hall and fill them with milk or yogurt for breakfasts later.

Packets:

Grab packets of ketchup, peanut butter, sugar, whatever you can get your hands on to use for snacks later.

Trail Mix:

Bring a small bag with you and put in some raisins or seeds from the salad bar, chocolate chips, granola and m&ms from the ice cream bar, and cereal from the cereal bar to make your own trail mix. Bring it to class with you for an easy snack on the go.

On the Go Breakfast Recipes

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Each of these cheap and easy ideas for quick breakfasts will save you time in the morning and keep you fueled throughout the day. Use these ideas for a quick breakfast or a mid-day snack. You can prepare these the night before, or over the weekend so that you can grab and go on busy mornings.

Oatmeal Squares:

There are plenty of variations on morning oatmeal squares, including this classic recipe, or a strawberry one. But for the easiest and cheapest oatmeal squares, use this 3-ingredient, no-bake recipe (with peanut butter!):

Ingredients:

• 1 c peanut butter
• 3 c oats
• ½ c honey

How to: Melt the peanut butter and honey together in the microwave. Gently stir in the oats. Then press into a foiled, lightly greased pan and refrigerate until firm. These are best kept in the fridge, as they will turn soft if you keep them out for too long.

Egg Cups:

Egg cups are cheap to make, highly customizable, healthy and high in protein. Making one batch takes only 30 minutes and can last you almost the entire week. Bake these egg dishes in a muffin tin, and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Grab and go in the morning, or for a snack in between classes. Here’s three ways to make them.

Make and Freeze: If you have a bit more time on the weekend, use that time wisely and pre-make your breakfast. Pancakes, waffles, and muffins all freeze extremely well. Use your favorite recipes and whip up a batch. Freeze, and in the morning defrost and you’ll have homemade breakfast in minutes.

Breakfast Cereal Bars:

Make your own cheaper and healthier versions of these quick breakfast classics. There are so many variations of these, but here’s the easiest and quickest recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of your favorite dry cereal
• ⅓ c peanut butter
• ⅓ c honey
• Add in chocolate chips or raisins if you want.

How to: Melt the honey and peanut butter in the microwave or on the stove. Then add in the rest of the ingredients. Pour into a lightly greased, square dish and refrigerate until firm.

Eating Healthy with the Microwave

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Your microwave can be an easy, quick, and cheap way to make meals for yourself and others. There are plenty of ways to eat healthy using the microwave as well.

Steaming Veggies:

Cut up your veggies into medium-size pieces. This works best for carrots, broccoli or cauliflower. Put veggies in a microwave-safe bowl and add about 2 tablespoons of water. Cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 3-4 minutes. You can add a bit of salt and pepper or soy sauce before microwaving for extra flavor.

Healthy Apple Crumble:

Try this cheap, easy, and healthy dessert when you are craving something sweet:

Ingredients:

• 2 chopped apples
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tb brown or regular sugar
• ½ c granola or oats.

How to: Put the chopped apples in a microwave safe bowl, and sprinkle the rest of the ingredients on top. For added flavor, add a bit of butter, coconut oil, or chopped pecans.

Eating Healthy on a Tight Budget

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Here’s some easy and fun tips for eating healthy without much extra cash to spend

Grow your own herbs:

Fresh herbs add tons of flavors to your dishes, and can be purchased for cheap too. They will also add a bit of life, color, and pleasant aroma to your kitchen or dorm room.

Make better drinking choices:

If you enjoy partying from time to time, try staying away from beer, as it has more calories and people tend to order and drink more beers. Try drinking more clear liquor, which has more bang for your buck and less calories.

Keep chicken tenders in the freezer:

You can buy pre-cooked and frozen chicken tenders or chicken breast to keep in your freezer for when you need some protein. Use them for an easy topping to salad or quick meals.

Host potluck meals:

Get together with your college friends or other people in your community to have a potluck meal together. You will only need to cook one dish, but will end up with an entirely home cooked meal. Plus you’ll make new friends and strengthen relationships along the way.

Mixed fruit cups in freezer:

Another freezer trick for healthy, homemade popsicles. Keep those cheap fruit cups in the freezer and stick a popsicle stick in them. Healthier and cheaper than the store bought versions.

Meatless Mondays:

Try going meatless for one or more days per week. Eating vegetarian is usually much cheaper than eating meat, you can keep the cooked meals for longer, and in many cases, meatless meals are healthier.

Eating Cheap Grocery List for College Students

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Staying on budget while in college can be tough. One way to stay on budget is to go to a tuition-free university, such as University of the People. Another way is to make sure you are making the cheapest choices at the grocery store. For more smart personal finance tips for students, click here. If cheap grocery shopping is something you’d like to try first, use this smart list:

Milk and grocery store brand cereal:

Try bulk cereal, and usually off brand will be cheaper.

Peanut butter:

Peanut butter can be used in many quick and easy recipes, and is a great snack. Buy big if you have the space for it.

Rice & Beans:

Canned beans and dry rice are cheap, and can be stored for a long time. They can be prepared for a cheap easy meal or additions to other meals.

Shredded Cheese:

An all purpose protein to add to salads, make cheesy potatoes, nachos, quesadillas, and more.

Oatmeal:

Buy in bulk and it will be cheaper. Oatmeal almost never goes bad if stored correctly and can be made in many different ways for for a quick and comforting breakfast.

Canned Tuna:

Cheap, already cooked protein and can be added to salads, made into a tuna salad or eaten on its own

Cottage Cheese:

Another option full of protein but doesn’t feel super heavy. You can add fruits and make it into a dessert, or use in recipes.

Fruits & Veggies:

Be smart about your fruit and veggie shopping. Canned is sometimes cheaper, but some nutrients can be lost. Frozen is a better option than canned and they will last longer as well. Get to know what your favorite fruits and veggies are, and how many you tend to eat before they go bad so that you minimize food waste and money wasted. Finally, learn some recipes for when your fruit has gone too soft, such a berry smoothies, or banana pancakes, or carrot bread.

With all these tips for cheap foods for college students, you can make sure you don’t become another graduate debt statistic. All you need is a bit of planning, a few go-to recipes, and you’ll be on your way to healthy, cheap eating for the whole semester.