66 Healthy College Meals You Can Easily Make When You’re Burned Out
Cheap Healthy Recipes for College Students That Will Come in Clutch
This is it. This is where your quest to find easy, healthy recipes for college students ends.
Because:
I’ve got a ton (and I do mean a TON) of ideas. Really good ones, too. You’ll be pleased to find out that these ideas go well beyond your basic banana slices on a pb&j sandwich type of feel-good college foods.
Right here:
I rounded up over 60 cheap, easy, healthy, and not to mention delicious, recipes into one ultimate post. It’ll help you cut down on search time so you can get right to meal time.
And no matter what your stomach is making the rumblies for:
There’s a low effort dish on this list that’ll be the solution to your craving.
In this post:
College students come in all varieties and from all walks of life. Some choose to live off campus, and some enjoy the community of living on campus. Which is why:
I’ve included cheap healthy meals for college students in apartments and dorms. I indicated which recipes are dorm room friendly. The fanciest thing needed to make those meals is just a good ol’ microwave.
Now: It may come as a shock, but the definitive results are in – yes, you can prepare nutritious dishes with just a microwave. And not just the ready-made Lean Cusine type meals.
See for yourself in the video!
Video: how to make healthy meals in college with a microwave
And those are just three examples of what can be done. Discover so many more easy microwave meals for college students down below.
60+ Healthy College Meals
Now let’s get to the recipe ideas!
To make it easy:
I’ve sorted the recipes to show which ones can specifically be made in a dorm and which are better for students living in an apartment. For the meals that are dorm conducive – it’s assumed a microwave and a mini-fridge are the only accessible appliances.
Breakfast Recipes
Here are some college-friendly recipes to try for breakfast.
Starting with –
Microwave Egg And Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich
Yum! How good does that sandwich look??
Hard to believe it’s made with just a microwave!
→ Make this recipe.
2 Minute Omelette in a Mug
Eggs are a cheap source of protein and an easy healthy meal for college students to make in a flash.
→ Get this recipe.
Microwave Breakfast Scramble
There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and there are a dozen different ways to cook an egg. This egg scramble is easy to prepare ahead of time for the whole week.
→ Try this breakfast recipe.
Espresso Protein Shake
Here’s a super simple breakfast that’s perfect for mornings when you have to really RUSH –
Mix a protein shake with an espresso shot in a Venti cup, shake it up and call it good! The “recipe” can be made with your protein shake of choice, but these caramel ones mix particularly well.
→ Get more details on this recipe.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Overnight oats make life so much easier for everyone!
And this delicious take deserves to be added to your repertoire of healthy easy college meals.
→ Try this recipe.
Overnight Oats 10 Ways
And because overnight oats are so easy to whip up –
I thought you should know 7 more ways to make them.
→ Check out all the variations on this recipe.
Raspberry Apple Microwave Mug Oatmeal
If you prefer your oats to be hot instead of chilled, you’ll love this satisfying meal.
→ Make this breakfast recipe.
Chai Latte Chia Pudding
Combine the best of both worlds, chai and chia. This simple breakfast is the perfect morning pick me up.
→ Try this recipe in a college dorm.
Matcha Chia Pudding
I didn’t forget about Matcha fans, either! There’s lots to love about chia pudding and all the various flavor combinations.
→ Make this recipe.
The Best Microwave Bacon
There’s no need to fear bacon when you’re eating healthy! It can definitely have a place in a well-rounded diet.
This recipe makes crispy bacon a reality even in when you’re living in a dorm room.
→ Get this microwave recipe.
Microwave Egg Caprese Breakfast Cups
Having a Caprese cup for breakfast is sure to impress your roommate and friends.
You’ll look like a real chef while only needing to put in 10% of the effort.
→ Try this easy recipe.
Breakfast Recipes for College Students in Apartments
These healthy meals for students require the use of a blender, food processor, or oven.
Unless, of course, you have a more creative way to get around that!
Breakfast Sweet Potat-“Oats”
It turns out that sweet potatoes and oats go together beautifully!
This is a combination you’ll have to try for yourself to make a final verdict, though.
→ Make this savory breakfast recipe.
Strawberry/Peach/Pineapple/Mango Smoothie
Easy college breakfasts don’t get any more easier than a smoothie.
Simple to whip up, but massively delicious.
→ Try this quick recipe.
Pina Colada Smoothie
There are some days in college when you wish you were on a beach far away from all the homework, tests, and group projects.
While a pina colada smoothie can’t teleport you there, it can help take your mind off things for a bit.
→ Recipe source.
Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
I’ll take cookies for breakfast any day of the week!
And these ones are miles better for me than a box of devilishly good Samoas.
→ Make this recipe.
Healthy 2-Ingredient Breakfast Cookies
Bet you weren’t expecting to find chocolate chip cookies on this list of easy healthy meals for college students.
But here we are, and it is amazing!
→ Get the recipe.
Fruit Smoothie Popsicles
Real fruit popsicles – like a smoothie, only even more portable.
Plus, they are especially tasty on a warm day. Love this idea!
→ Try this college recipe.
Lunch Recipes
Healthy recipes for a college student who has had enough with boring sandwiches and wants a lunchtime upgrade.
And all on a budget, of course.
Healthy Layered Tuna Salad Jar
This is one of the fanciest looking tuna salads I’ve ever seen, but it only looks like it took a while to make.
It calls for the fancy, expensive tuna, which honestly tastes amazing (make sure to try the tuna in the gold can at least once in your life). However, you can easily swap it out for another brand of tuna.
→ Make this recipe.
Deli Snack Box
A deli snack box is simple, yet it hits the spot every time. Skip Starbucks, save the cash, and make this equally delish version instead.
→ Get this lunchtime recipe.
Egg and Avocado Egg Wrap
Avocados and bacon are a match made in heaven. Low carbs and high protein, you really can’t go wrong with this easy recipe idea.
→ Make this recipe.
Southwest Hummus Wraps
There are so many good things packed in these wraps!
→ Get this college lunch recipe.
Coffee Cup Chilaquiles
Coffee cup chilaquiles definitely break up the monotony of typical dorm meals. Mug meals are the best!
→ Try this recipe.
Lunch Recipes for College Students in Apartments
The healthy recipes to try below will work out better for students who have a stove to cook with.
Taco Salad in a Jar
These jar lunch ideas are uber convenient for college students to make ahead of time. Just grab and go when it’s time to head out in the morning.
→ Get this cheap lunch recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Jar Salad
Here’s a different spin on the same idea as the previous healthy recipe for college students.
→ Try this recipe.
Peanut Noodle Salad in a Jar
Love getting Thai food for takeout? If so, this recipe easy healthy meal will be right up your alley.
→ Pick this great recipe for lunch this week.
Thai Salad in a Jar
Which jar salad option is looking the best to you right now?
→ Make this recipe.
Southwestern Black Bean Couscous Salad
Proof that not all salads need to include lettuce!
→ Try this salad recipe.
Vegetarian Mason Jar Burrito Bowls
A delicious mix of veggie goodness to help you power through your days at school.
→ Get this recipe.
Quick and Easy Chicken Burritos
Not only do they look really good, they’re really easy to make. All in all a huge win when it comes to easy healthy recipes for college students.
→ Make this recipe for lunch.
Healthy Snack Ideas
We all like to snack, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
However, the snacks you choose to eat do matter. Snacking on fresh veggies instead of something sugary is going to support your health in the long term.
If you want ideas that require no-prep work:
Hop on over to this big list of healthy college snacks. It’s got all the best ideas. Now, if you feel like doing some cooking of sorts, here are some fabulous health-conscious snack recipes perfect for college students.
Sriracha Nooch Popcorn
This is a great recipe for college students living in apartments and dorm rooms. You can make this recipe with popcorn kernels and just a microwave, too!
→ Try this recipe.
Microwave Kale Chips
Want something crunchy but still need to get your greens in?
That’s where savory kale chips come in!
→ Make this easy recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Apple Bites
Sometimes when it’s snack time, your sweet tooth is calling.
This yummy apple bites will hit the spot without being just empty calories. 5 minutes and 5 ingredients is all you need!
→ Try this college snack recipe.
No Bake Oatmeal Energy Bites
Energy bites are a deliciously easy way to fuel your body on the go. They are so convenient, I love having ready-to-go meals like this around.
→ Make this quick snack recipe.
Microwave Sour Cream & Onion Veggie Chips
Veggie chips are similar to potato chips, but without any guilt.
Save at the store by making your own!
→ Try this recipe.
Frozen Banana Bites
Most mini fridges don’t have a separate freezer section which is why this snack idea works out better for apartment dwellers.
But:
If you DO have a mini fridge with a freezer, I don’t see why you couldn’t make these!
→ Make this recipe.
Dinner Recipes
Healthy meals for college students that will help you get your grub on fast when it’s midnight, you’re starving and you just need something to eat.
Single-Serve Microwave Shakshuka
Poached egg in tomato sauce = yes, give me that!
→ Try this recipe.
Microwave Spanish Rice
Rice is the ultimate cheap staple to keep in your college pantry.
→ Make this recipe.
Parm Herb Microwave Spaghetti Squash
Add some sauce, and you’ve got a low carb version of actual spaghetti.
→ Make this microwave recipe.
Microwaved Caprese Pita Pizza
Yep, you can still have pizza while eating right!
Lower calorie versions like this recipe that have a thinner crust and include more veggies are a great choice.
→ Try this yummy meal idea.
Easy Microwave Baked Potatoes
Potatoes are so cheap, so filling, and so versatile. They even have some good nutrients for you too.
Knowing how to make a baked potato in the microwave is a lifesaver in college!
→ Use this simple recipe.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup In A Mug
Chilly weather gets me the biggest cravings for some good soup. This healthy college meal is a whole lot quicker to make than a whole pot of soup. Easy recipes kind of make it all the more delicious.
→ Make this recipe.
Healthy Microwave Nachos
Because who doesn’t love nachos?? Cheap college meals that are also healthy, like this one, are the best.
→ Make this college recipe.
Lemon Garlic Broccoli
Because sometimes you get tired of eating veggies raw!
→ Try this recipe.
Mediterranean Microwave Fish
Maybe don’t make this in your room if you don’t want it to smell like fish for a week.
But hey, it’s your life, and if you want fish, you want fish.
→ Get the written recipe.
Meatloaf in a Mug
Classic comfort food in one low calorie, single-size serving.
→ Make this microwave recipe.
Microwave Cauliflower and Cheese
All the creamy goodness of mac n’ cheese but with a healthy twist.
This is such a good low-carb meal, and making it in your dorm room couldn’t be easier!
→ Try this easy mug meal.
Microwave Mushroom Risotto
Comfort food you can whip up with a microwave. Isn’t it amazing what you can make without a kitchen?
→ Make this healthy easy college recipe.
Easy Healthy Chicken Salad
A different twist on the classic chicken salad. It can easily be made with shredded rotisserie chicken which should make enough for more than a couple of meals.
→ Try this recipe.
Dinner Recipes for College Students in Apartments
You’re gonna want an oven to be able to make these college foods.
Zucchini Lasagna
All the cheesy deliciousness of regular lasagna, only with a lot fewer calories. I love creative recipes that modify classic comfort foods like this!
→ Make this healthy recipe.
Easy Zucchini Pizza Bites
I’m all about healthy college meals that make it fun to get your veggies in. Plus, who doesn’t love pizza – yum!
→ Try this recipe.
Broccoli and Cheddar Twice-Baked Potatoes
Step up your baked potato game with this mouth-watering idea. Potatoes are so cheap, and there’re so many ways to cook with them!
→ Make this college dinner recipe.
Ultimate BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Not only do these look AMAZING, they also taste amazing – enough said.
→ Try this delicious recipe.
No-Bake Dessert Recipes
And now for my favorite types of recipes:
The super easy yet still healthy desserts!
PB&J Mug Cake
Peanut butter and jelly just got an upgrade thanks to this mug cake creation.
→ Make this recipe.
4-Ingredient Mug Cake
Minimal ingredients needed, yet they combine together for truly yummy result.
→ Try this simple dessert recipe.
Skinny Single-Serving Microwave Brownie
It should be a sin for something to taste this good yet still be healthy! It’s perfect when you need something sweet and now.
→ Indulge yourself with this recipe.
Healthier Peanut Butter Dip
An easy college meal that’s great for dipping apples and other fruits. Plus, it’s perfect for sharing with roommates during long study sessions.
→ Make this recipe.
Microwave Apples in a Bag
This quick recipe is basically apple pie filling in a bag (or a bowl). And it is addictingly good.
→ Try this microwave recipe.
Healthy Chocolate Microwave Muffin
It’s always a good idea to have a healthy easy college meal like this in your back pocket. So when a chocolate craving hits, you’ll know just the sweet treat to make!
→ Give this healthy dessert recipe a shot.
3-Ingredient Blueberry Yogurt Bites
Simple, yet just sweet enough. I’m a BIG fan of yogurt dipped fruits!
→ See the written recipe.
Chocolate Banana Frozen Yogurt Bark
If you’ve ever had Nutella on a piece of toast topped with sliced banana, you already know how good of a combination it is. So simple to make, this sweet treat does not disappoint when you want something cold.
→ Try this recipe.
Super Easy Frozen Yogurt Bark
There are more than a few ways to dress up yogurt bark. These are some favorites!
→ Make this quick recipe.
How to Eat Healthy in College
So, how do you eat healthy on a budget?
Think about it:
Crackers, heat & eat meals, chips, candy, and other snacks tend to be the most expensive stuff are the store. It’s because they’re convenience foods. They save you time and effort to bring you quicker hunger satiating satisfaction. Those benefits come at a price, though.
Now:
On a per item basis, they don’t seem that pricey. But $3.99 for a box of crackers here, $4.99 for a bag of fries there, plus $5.99 for a 12 pack of cola…
Well, it adds up quickly! Living heavily off of packaged foods is the quickest way to burn through your college food budget.
What to do instead –
- Plan your meals ahead of time.
- Make a shopping list based on your planned meals and stick to it. Avoid grocery shopping when you’re hungry!
- Choose generic products whenever possible. I get it, some generics just aren’t the same as the original. Although, I’ve found most staple foods are practically identical.
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables based on what’s in season.
Learning how to eat healthy on a budget is a straightforward concept. Simply narrow down your grocery list to include more (or ideally – just) whole foods like vegetables, fruits, protein sources & grains.
Produce is relatively inexpensive, but you can further reduce your expenses by buying only what you know you’ll consume before it goes bad. Or, opt for longer lasting frozen veggies and fruit.
When you do this, it becomes realistic and affordable to feed yourself good shit as a student. You’ll need to be a little more creative and spend more time cooking, but it is an attainable goal for college students to eat healthy. Especially when meal prepping is utilized.
How to start eating right
Oftentimes, just the act of starting something new can be the hardest part.
This is where an article with more guidance can be helpful. So I’ve included some informative ones below…
→ A healthy diet on just $20 a week
Frugal Farm Girl shares how you can do it.
→ Straight from the source
In this guide, Sarah from The Olden Chapters shares how all the details about how she eats healthy in college on a budget.
→ Feeding yourself with a meal plan at college?
Life et Moi by Sofia has tips that’ll help you eat right at the dining hall.
→ And if you aren’t…
Samathability has you covered with tips on how to survive without a meal plan.
Finally:
→ Another good place to start
– is with my guide to eating healthy in college on a budget. In the post, I’ve simplified it by breaking it down into 10 actionable steps.
College Meal Prep
Meal prepping has some great benefits. For one, if you’re short on time to spend making food during the week (like most college kids) it makes sense to meal prep.
Because:
Having healthy food readily available makes it so much easier to resist the temptation of junk food. I know that when I’m busy, I honestly just eat what whatever’s the quickest thing for me to grab.
Plus:
Meal prepping in college can be a useful tool for budgeting. Planning meals means you already know what items are going to be on your grocery list. And less winging it style grocery shopping also means fewer impulse buys.
Like most life changes, transitioning to a college meal prep lifestyle can be rocky at first.
But, overall:
Once you’re in the swing of things, it actually gives you one less thing to worry about. Simplifying your life is a fantastic way to reduce stress, too!
Meal Prep Resources for College Students
So –
If you’re interested in giving meal prepping a shot, here are two places that can help you get started with meal prepping in college:
1. BudgetBytes.com
Budget Bytes is run by food blogger, Beth, and she has over 1000 deliciously affordable recipes to choose from. I love how she breaks down the costs of each meal!
Her goal is to help satisfy both your taste buds and your wallet. She even has a section of her website dedicated to budget friendly meal prep recipes.
A few meal prep idea favorites from Budget Bytes:
2. CollegeNutritionist.com
The College Nutritionist has a ton of college meal prep recipes and tips. Rachel provides weekly plans based on specific calorie goals, which is super useful if you’re trying to lose weight.
Her meals are creative, healthy and keep a college budget in mind. I recommend checking out her blog for ideas.
Some of my favorite meal prepping ideas from The College Nutritionist:
- 5 Minute Lunch Combination Ideas
- 1600 Calorie Meal Plan with Oatmeal and Caprese Bites
- 1700 Calorie Filling, High Protein Meal Plan with Red Peppers and Pecans
3. Video: meal prepping in college (no oven – microwave only)
4. Additional useful online resources:
- A Full Week of Meals for Busy Students from Speech Lyss
- Lazy Girl’s Costco Meal Plan for 2 Weeks from House Mix
Conclusions on easy healthy meals for college students
Wow, that sure was a LOT of healthy college meals and recipe ideas! I hope this list helped you decide on what to eat.
What are your go-to healthy cheap college meals?
Related posts:
- Pre-made college grocery list with healthy foods
- 12 Ways to save money on groceries (without coupons)
- 9 easy healthy food swaps to make in college
About Charlie
Charlie is the co-founder of College Life Made Easy and author of the book 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College. She’s a 2015 graduate who teaches overwhelmed students and parents of students how to confidently navigate the whole college thing. As a former broke college kid, she’s passionate about helping students develop the skills they need in order to thrive (instead of just survive), stress less, and actually enjoy the full college experience.