What are the best dishes/ food to buy and prepare on a college students budget?

Answer 1

Firstly, the cheapest way is to NOT buy prepared eg frozen stuff (some canned stuff, if at the right price is useful), but prepare it yourself from scratch - you are paying others for labour and profit.

Secondly, you don't want tasteless stodge - flavour is important, especially with simple dishes - look for markdown sauces, marinades, spice rubs, etc. But don't overdo the additives - fresh ingredients simply prepared is best

Thirdly, you should try and 'balance' your diet. This means, for instance, don't live for a week on a sack of potatoes, even if it seems 'cheap'. You should rotate the dishes, to try to keep a 'balanced diet'.

You can buy a 'mushroom farm - a box which you keep in a dark cool place - mushrooms are good nutrient, can be eaten raw, or cooked many ways - even in Sushi, and the farm will last for ages, giving you a cheap food source.

Funnily enough 'frozen vegies' (peas, carrot, corn, etc) are often better than 10 day old 'cheap vegies' - as long as you don't try to keep them frozen for 6 months - they will get 'freezer burn' and deteriorate.

Grains (this includes pasta and bread) are cheap. Stir fries are quick and cheap - small amounts of meat and lots of healthy veges with a tasty sauce. Soups and stews can use cheaper cuts of meat cooked slowly - tender and tasty!

Actually, Sushi - (that's NOT raw fish - that's Sashimi!), is very cheap to make at home. It IS labour intensive, which is why it's expensive as a takeaway.

Look up the recipes. First you prepare the cooked rice, and allow to cool, but I love it warm!

When preparing there are many styles.

1) Bowl - put rice in bowl, on top place other ingredients, shredded slightly.

2) Pressed - a wooden mould is used to press the ingredients into a cake, which is then sliced.

3) Shaped - various ways of shaping, including hand shaped, or rolled in seaweed or cooked egg (Silken style).

You can use purely vegetarian ingredients, or small quantities of protein like seafood, or meats, especially in the rolled types.

For a real treat, dip appropriate ones (you don't want them to fall apart!) of the rolled styles in tempura batter and cook. Delicious when warm!

Another tip: if you have a 'Food Bank' (companies donate near use by date products, and you get a package for a small cost, well below retail price) nearby, they are worth checking out - they often have crackers, milk, bread, drinks available. Also Supermarkets often markdown the older use by date stuff - try and find out what times of day/week they do this.

Answer 2

Lots of pasta, ramen noodles, canned tuna or chicken, crackers, kool-aid, bottled water that you refill from the sink, gross I know and you shouldn't do it but believe me you will. Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup on the side. Beanie weenies, spam, hotdogs, canned fruit, granola bars, trail mix that you made yourself, powdered milk doesn't spoil as you make it as you go along. It's not bad and you get used to it. Put some sugar in it. Canned ravioli, spaghetti goes a long way, beans of any kind will take you a long way but don't forget the fart factor in class. I think farts are funny, some people don't. You can get a part time job at the local pizza place and all the pies you and your friends can eat. Frozen pizzas from the grocer are usually on sale. Bird's eye has some different pasta dishes that you just throw in the microwave. Microwaves are cheap at target and walmart. Good luck and happy shopping. Oh and stay away from the cookie and chip isle, don't go to the store hungry as you will blow your budget and don't bring anyone with you who will urge you to buy something for grins and giggles, meaning don't splurge on a steak today and have a vending machine cookie tomorrow.

Answer 3

30 years ago I lived on
1. Top Ramen made without MSG
2. Quesadillas (Mexican cheese melted between two flour tortillas with salsa and seasonings, sometimes left over meat bits)
3. Scalloped or baked potatoes
4. A large pot of chili (lasts a few days)
5. Spaghetti (make a lot of sauce at once and freeze for later use as lasagna or other pasta sauce.)
6. Stir fry of bean sprouts, chopped Chinese cabbage, almond slivers, and black bean sauce.
7. Salads with added protein: tofu, tuna, cold chicken or beef or seafood
8. Macaroni and cheese from a box
9. Rice-a-roni (you can find them @ $10.00 for 10 boxes) with added meat and a veg. on the side.
10. Any reasonable meal that provides A. Protein
B. Moderate or low carbohydrate
C. Good fats like Omega-3's
D. As much fresh fruit and vegetable as possible.
Enjoy your college years.

Answer 4

Buy anything and everything microwavable. Oh and you can't go wrong with cup noodles. Microwavable meals are helpful when you're rushing to class and/or if you don't know your way around the kitchen. You can buy even healthy frozen foods and stock up for days when the weather is bad so you can have a meal that you can defrost and heat in the microwave. In terms of being on a budget, shop at warehouse stores like Costco's or BJ's so you can buy certain foods/drinks in bulk (and it's well worth it). Also, look at online circulars of grocery stores and see what's on sale so you can stock up that way too.

Hope this helps! : )

P.S. In terms of actually cooking, you can never fail with mac n cheese, pasta (pasta of your choice with your fave pasta sauce and cheese), salad with your fave veggies, etc.

Good luck! : )

Answer 5

Macaroni and cheese usually works, or Ramen noodles. Grilled cheese sandwiches, deli meats you can buy and prepare your own sandwiches. Peanut butter and jelly. Cereal could be one of your meals too, I usually ate Kix in college. lol Hot pockets aren't that expensive, and so are those Budget gourmet frozen foods.

Soup is pretty cheap as well, Campbell's has those Soup to Go cans.

Answer 6

Ramen noodles! Frozen Swanson dinners, pot pies, ElCharito Mexican entrées (yum), Lots of cheap, great tasting stuff in the frozen section at Walmart. If you have an oven you can get the big Stouffer's Lasagna and Chinked enchiladas put leftovers in the frig and eat for a couple days for $12. Take some for lunch in your bag. Cooler weather is coming and those cup-o-soups are great. Just add hot water and there all lots of flavors.

Answer 7

When i was a college student I lived on Campbell's tomato and chicken soups. I'd also buy big bags of rice and noodles and add them to the soups to make them more hearty, or even some chopped cooked chicken to the tomato soup for protein. Just make sure you add some salad or fruit to make the meal more balanced. Or add some mixed frozen vegetables to the soup as well!

Answer 8

I agree with ZaZaZoom, rice and pasta are a good solution, they also provide long lasting energy and are a very healthy alternative to fast food and junk food.

Answer 9

try fried rice, noodles or pasta. it's easy, quick and cheap.

Answer 10

lean cuisinesssssssss mmm mmm tastyyyyy