Easy College Student Dinner Recipes

The best quick & Easy College Student Dinner Recipes. Simple budget-friendly meal ideas for beginners to make in the dorms or apartments. From quick bites to grab between classes to hearty 30-minute meals, this list has everything to keep a college student fed, happy, & healthy.

4 photos of easy to make recipes with chicken, pasta, sloppy joes and other easy college student recipes.

One of my favorites back then was Pepperoni Spaghetti. You can make a big batch and eat it for days!! And I won't judge if you make a CrockPot Chili Cheese Dip & eat that as a meal all week - it's college, you're adulting now, right!?

I was a pretty good cook before I went off to college but not everyone is. I totally respect that & why I help those on this fun, exciting, & sometimes challenging next chapter.

Dorm & Kitchen Essentials

Before you decide what to make, having the right tools & equipment for cooking is important. I include recipes that go in a pan, bake in an oven, or dump into a CrockPot.

What you can cook in a dorm room versus what you can make in an actual kitchen is obviously different. Here is a quick guide of what you can or may have on hand to make some yummy things to eat.

TOASTER OVEN - under $40 & compact in size, great for a dorm.
TOASTER OVEN/AIR FRYER COMBO - I own this model & my teens use it with ease to cook just about anything - broil, toast, reheat, bake, air fry, etc.
INSTANT POT - this small 3-quart size is great for dorms, small kitchens, & anyone new to pressure cooking.
SLOW COOKER - this 4-quart CrockPot is programmable so it does all the cooking while at class, studying, or working.
MICROWAVE OVEN - this compact unit is great for cooking & reheating - don't waste any leftovers.

TOP TIP: Make sure your dorm rules allow some of these things before purchasing.

Jump to:

Dorm & Kitchen Essentials
Sandwiches & Salads
Stovetop Recipes
Oven Recipes
Air Fryer Recipes
Slow Cooker Recipes
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker

Sandwiches & Salads

3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

This easy homemade sloppy joe sauce is made of only 3 ingredients. Together they make this classic sandwich saucy, sweet, and savory with a bit of tang. There is a lot of flavor with just a few ingredients. It's a gluten-free, dairy-free, & from scratch recipe instead of using canned Manwich.

3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joe meat on a bun with cheese plated and ready to eat.

Poor Man's Lobster Roll

This easy Poor Man's Lobster Roll recipe is the best take on the traditional Maine sandwich but at half the price. One bite of this rich & creamy seafood sandwich & you will be transported to New England. This 15-minute recipe saves money while still tasting gourmet.

Poor Man's Lobster Roll

An inexpensive poor man's Maine lobster roll made with shrimp & chive mayo dressing in a brioche bun.

Philly Cheesesteak with Trader Joe's Shaved Beef

Tender beef and melty cheese are delicious in this iconic sandwich, easy enough to make at home. This is the best Philly Cheesesteak using Trader Joe's Shaved Beef Steak.

Philly Cheesesteak with Trader Joe's Shaved Beef

Classic Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwich

For the best toaster oven grilled cheese sandwich, you must try this easy recipe. In just minutes the toasty sandwich with gooey melted cheese is ready. Great for those without a stove or in an RV, dorm, or office kitchen. So easy, kids love to make their own.

Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese

Microwave Grilled Cheese

Gooey, melty, & crispy grilled cheese made in the microwave is the quick lunch you've been looking for. The best 3-ingredient & 5-minute recipe. No stove, pan, skillet, or griddle is needed for a hot sandwich at lunch or dinner. Learn how to make & how long to cook it plus the best bread & cheeses to use. Ideal for dorms, RV, & office kitchens, - bachelor grilled cheese aka cheese toastie, jaffle, panini, or croque monsieur.

Microwave Grilled Cheese

Overhead image of a grilled cheese sandwich fresh from the microwave cut in half on plated with carrots and celery.

Caprese Sliders

These oven-baked Caprese sliders on Hawaiian rolls are a yummy appetizer, small bite, snack, or meal. Fresh tomatoes, pesto, & mozzarella combine for an easy Italian sandwich recipe. The perfect vegetarian recipe for parties, holidays, & game day.

Caprese Sliders

Roast Beef, Cheddar, & Caramelized Onion Sliders

These oven-baked roast beef & cheddar sliders on Hawaiian rolls are a yummy appetizer, small bite, or meal. Sliced beef steak, cheddar cheese, & sweet caramelized onions combine for an easy slider sandwich recipe. Great for parties, game day, Super Bowl, birthdays, lunch, dinner, or snack.

Roast Beef & Cheese Sliders

Sliders with roast beef and cheddar plated and ready to eat.

Cucumber Shrimp Salad

This cool, crunchy, & creamy cucumber shrimp salad is the best protein-packed lunch. This simple seafood recipe is light, healthy, & tasty. The quick & easy diced cucumbers with shrimp & a dill sour cream dressing is a shellfish lover's dream. The gluten-free & low-carb recipe is a great make-ahead meal planning meal since it stores well for days.

Cucumber Shrimp Salad

Antipasto Rice Salad

Antipasto rice salad is a light lunch or hearty side dish that is packed with so many yummy things. Rice paired with Italian-American ingredients like salami, mozzarella, and olives are mixed with a homemade dressing for a tasty gluten-free alternative to pasta salad.

Antipasto Rice Salad

Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

This simple yet flavorful pesto pasta salad is a summer favorite. The cold tri-color rotini salad with a pesto dressing, tomatoes, & olives is great for a light lunch or a side dish. Using mostly inexpensive pantry staples, this budget-friendly recipe is the best. With Italian & American flavors, serve with BBQ, roasts, grilled chicken, seafood, sandwiches, & soup to complete your meal.

Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

The best Mediterranean chopped salad is packed with garbanzo beans for protein and a bunch of fresh vegetables. Loaded with Greek & Italian produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, & olives plus a homemade Italian vinaigrette dressing recipe. Great for lunch, dinner, side, or appetizer. It is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, healthy, & tasty for everyone to enjoy.

Italian Chopped Salad

Overhead image of plated salad ready to eat with fork.

Stovetop Recipes

Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken

Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken is creamy, spicy, & amazing. This 30-minute recipe for Mexican-inspired chicken tenders is quick & easy. Skillet cooked chicken smothered in a savory hot cheese sauce is the best. The simple one-pan meal is low-carb, keto, gluten-free, & high-protein.

Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken

Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Tenders in a skillet smothered in cheese sauce.

Mediterranean Chicken Thighs

Juicy chicken thighs browned in a cast iron skillet with vegetables, and a wonderful lemon sauce is a simple one-pan dinner recipe. Classic Greek ingredients make this Mediterranean 30-minute meal healthy, yummy, & delicious. Great for a busy weeknight - plus freezes well for leftovers & meal-planning. Bonus: gluten-free, paleo, keto or low-carb, high-protein, & Whole30 approved.

Greek Chicken Thighs

Mediterranean Chicken Thighs with artichokes tomatoes and olives.

Cranberry Chicken Thighs

This easy one-pan recipe for Cranberry Chicken Thighs is sweet, tangy, & savory. Tender boneless skinless chicken in a quick pan sauce is a great busy weeknight dinner. It's gluten-free, dairy-free, & high in protein.

Cranberry Chicken Thighs

Cast Iron Chicken Breast

For the juiciest cast iron chicken breast, this easy recipe will become your go-to weeknight dinner. In just a few simple steps you will learn how to make seasoned boneless skinless chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet. This simple recipe creates a flavorful pan-seared crust on the outside & is juicy & tender inside.

Cast Iron Chicken Breast

Ground Pork Stir Fry

In 30-minutes this easy recipe for ground pork stir fry with broccoli is ready. The spicy sesame sauce makes it better than take-out. It's gluten-free, low-carb, & with less oil is a healthy complete meal.

Ground Pork Stir Fry

Ground pork broccoli and peppers stir fry in a wok.

Carnitas Burrito

This easy recipe for making a carnitas burrito at home is better than any restaurant. It's loaded with cheese, red rice, beans, & all your favorites. The star is the tender & crispy shredded pork carnitas. A homemade Mexican rice recipe is included or use a store-bought package like Rice-a-Roni. It's rolled up in a large flour tortilla for a super burrito de carnitas packed with meat, frijoles, queso.

Carnitas Burrito

Burrito filled with pork carnitas and loaded with cheddar cheese, mexican rice, refried beans, sour cream, fresh avocado, cut in half on a plate next to cilantro, hot sauce, and chips.

Gochujang Pasta

This quick and easy 20-minute recipe for Gochujang Pasta is spicy, creamy, & addicting. The Korean & Italian fusion penne dish has a simple pan sauce with garlic, red chili gochujang paste, & parmesan. The simple recipe is a great weeknight meal or fast lunch.

Spicy Gochujang Korean Pasta

Plate piled with penne pasta with gochujang sauce, parmesan, cilantro, and minced green onions.

Fried Spaghetti with Eggs

Fried spaghetti with eggs is a great way to enjoy leftover spaghetti in a delicious meal that is great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. This simple recipe results in crispy spaghetti, fried eggs, with a creamy garlicky sauce that pulls it all together in just minutes.

Fried Spaghetti with Eggs

Pasta alla Pizzaiola

This 30-minute recipe for pasta alla pizzaiola is a quick & delicious Italian classic. The rich tomato sauce is inspired by the best pizza makers. The recipe from Naples, Campania region of Italy, is so easy. The simple meatless pasta is a yummy vegan/vegetarian meal that is comforting & a family favorite.

Pasta alla Pizzaiola

Italian Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

This simple Italian Sausage & Broccoli Pasta recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. Your family will be wowed by this quick and easy 30 minute dinner. Top the penne dish with parmesan & pepper for the best comforting cheesy finish without cream.

Italian Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

Al dente penne with fresh broccoli & sausage.

Pesto Tuna Pasta

For an easy Italian meal that is quick & delicious, you cannot beat this pesto tuna pasta recipe. All you need is 6 ingredients and 20 minutes. The garlic-infused olive oil adds so much flavor to al dente rigatoni tossed with a classic Genovese pesto sauce. Add canned white albacore tuna for protein & shaved parmesan - Viola, this summer pasta dish is ready to enjoy. It's great served hot, warm, room temperature, or cold as a tuna pasta salad. Great for dinner, lunch, or as a side dish.

Pesto Tuna Pasta

6 photos of recipes that college students can make in the dorm or apartment.

Oven Recipes

Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli

The best sheet pan dinner recipe is this spicy buffalo chicken & broccoli. This quick meal is a weeknight go-to meal the whole family will love. Crispy seasoned bites of chicken in a sweet & spicy honey hot sauce with fork-tender broccoli. Simple ingredients & 30 minutes are all you need for this one-pan supper.

Sheet Pan Chicken & Broccoli

Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli in the baking pan with serving utensils on the side.

Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies

In 30 minutes this easy sheet pan sausage & veggie recipe is done. Juicy links, crispy potatoes, & carrots is a quick weeknight meal to love. This simple one pan meal is great for busy weeknights or meal planning.

Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

Sheet pan loaded with cooked sausage links and diced potatoes and carrots.

How to Cook Brats in the Oven

For the best way to cook brats in the oven, try this easy recipe. You will enjoy hot, crispy, and juicy bratwurst baked perfectly. There is no better way to cook brats inside (espeically when the weather doesn't allow for grilling). Enjoy these low-carb sausages for appetizers, snacks, dinner, and as a bratwurst sandwich with tasty toppings.

Oven Cooked Bratwurst

oven cooked plated with serving fork and small bowls of spicy mustard and kraut

Potato Enchiladas

Hearty cheesy potato enchiladas is a quick & easy 30-minute vegetarian dinner perfect for busy weeknights. A few simple ingredients makes this California & Mexican-inspired recipe a fun & tasty meal. Tender potatoes, sauteed onions, & cheddar rolled in corn tortillas with your favorite red or green sauce is a family favorite.

Potato Enchiladas

Plate of two potato cheddar cheese enchiladas.

Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

For the ultimate crispy & spicy air fryer buffalo chicken tenders, look no further. Crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside. This easy 20-minute recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your home. The best homemade crunchy breaded chicken & is healthier than fried in oil.

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Crispy Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders plated

AIR FRYER FROZEN POPCORN CHICKEN

Crispy air fryer popcorn chicken is so easy to make using your favorite store-bought frozen popcorn chicken. It is a family favorite whether it is for an appetizer, snack, football food, lunch, or dinner.

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

Air Fryer Pork Chops (no breading)

This quick & easy recipe for air fryer pork chops cooks in 20 minutes. The seasoned thick-cut pork chops are juicy & tender with a caramelized crust. This is the best way to make pork chops without breading in the air fryer. Great for gluten-free, keto, low-carb, and healthy diabetic-friendly diets.

Air Fryer Pork Chops (no breading)

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks

There is no better way to cook frozen fish sticks than the air fryer. The best hot & crispy fish sticks are ready in minutes.

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks

Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers

For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen potstickers in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot on the inside and crispy on the outside. Air frying is an easy way to cook dumplings, gyoza, mandu, and any pork, shrimp, vegetarian, or chicken potsticker.

Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

For the best air fryer baked potatoes, try this quick & easy recipe. In half the time get yummy crispy skin & fluffy hot insides for topping. This simple side dish is an American classic due to its simplicity & versatility. All the steps for time and temperature for air frying plus topping, storing, & reheating.

Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

4 images of chicken, spaghetti, tuna pasta and pork stir fry recipes

Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is an easy slow cooker recipe that is hearty, tasty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. This Crockpot cacciatore recipe is so easy and results in a rich tomato sauce packed with vegetables, chicken, and flavor.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

In 3 hours this quick & easy recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is ready! Just 5 minutes prep & this dump & go recipe is done. A Southern classic recipe made in the CrockPot for saucy, tender, & moist shredded chicken with a tangy vinegar flavor that is sweet, spicy, & sour. Enjoy on a bun, soft roll, or plated with your favorite sides. Pile on some coleslaw for a traditional pairing. Gluten-free, keto, low-carb, & healthy options in this yummy party favorite. Serve for Super Bowl, potlucks, game day, & holidays.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken & Cauliflower Casserole

This easy CrockPot recipe is comforting & 100% yummy for the whole family. Chunks of tender boneless skinless chicken breasts & cauliflower florets topped with melty cheese & crispy bacon makes this the best. The simple keto-friendly dump & go weeknight dinner is quick to prep & taste amazing. The perfect hearty, high-protein, & low-carb.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Cauliflower (low-carb/keto)

Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken & Cauliflower Casserole in the CrockPot insert topped with cheese bacon and green onions.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

This easy recipe for Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is a family favorite. Tender strips of beef & a savory sauce is great over rice. The simple dump & go recipe made in the CrockPot is perfect for weeknights. It's low-fat, gluten-free, & packed with protein.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Pepper steak served over white rice in a bowl next to chopsticks.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef without Vegetables

Slow cooker corned beef is an easy way to prepare this St Patrick’s Day classic holiday recipe. It is also wonderful to enjoy this Irish meal any time of year. Simply dump a few ingredients into the CrockPot and soon the best juicy brisket is ready for a hearty meal or sandwiches.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef

Slow Cooker Navy Bean and Ham Soup

This easy Crock Pot recipe for homemade navy bean, leftover ham, & carrot soup is cozy and delish. The hearty winter or fall soup is a great way to repurpose holiday ham & use up dried beans.

Slow Cooker Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Bowl of homemade slow cooker navy bean and leftover ham soup.

Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

This traditional Hungarian goulash is a hearty stew with a bright flavorful paprika broth. Classic goulash is packed with tender beef & vegetables, no pasta or macaroni in this one. Enjoy this comforting Eastern European recipe that is so easy to make thanks to your Crock-Pot

Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken spaghetti in the Instant Pot is a quick and easy recipe. This one-pot chicken and pasta recipe is comforting and delicious. The creamy sauce has 3 kinds of cheese for a gooey melty meal kids & adults will love. Best pressure cooker pasta recipe.

Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Spaghetti featured portrait with napkin and forks

Instant Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers

Instant Pot Italian sausage and peppers is a quick & easy recipe. They are great for sandwiches or as is for the best keto, low-carb, or gluten-free meal. This Instant Pot sausage and pepper recipe is done in one pot and is complete in just 20-minutes.