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College Budget

Dorm-friendly recipes under $1.50 per serving. Easy enough for beginners with minimal equipment needed.

100 recipes
100 recipes
Plate of round peanut butter oat energy balls with chocolate chips
$0.29

Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls

15 mineasy140 cal
Warm bowl of creamy oatmeal porridge with cinnamon swirl
$0.41

Spiced Oatmeal Porridge

10 mineasy240 cal
Stack of golden banana pancakes with syrup drizzled on top
$0.43

Banana Pancakes

20 mineasy260 cal
Caramelized shredded cabbage stir fried with garlic in a wok
$0.45

Cabbage Stir Fry

15 mineasy90 cal
A smooth orange Turkish lentil soup with a paprika oil drizzle
$0.47

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

40 mineasy200 cal
A bowl of thick lentil soup with carrots and tomatoes
$0.51

Lentil Soup

40 mineasy220 cal
A mason jar of creamy overnight oats topped with banana slices
$0.52

Overnight Oats

5 mineasy280 cal
Noodles coated in a glossy peanut sauce topped with green onion
$0.55

Peanut Noodles

15 mineasy380 cal
A bowl of creamy stovetop oatmeal topped with brown sugar and cinnamon
$0.55

Stovetop Oatmeal with Brown Sugar

10 mineasy290 cal
Bowl of hearty mixed vegetable soup with potatoes and carrots
$0.55

Hearty Vegetable Soup

40 mineasy170 cal
Simple buttered egg noodles in a bowl
$0.55

Butter Noodles

14 mineasy280 cal
Spaghetti glistening with garlic butter sauce in a pan
$0.56

Garlic Butter Pasta

15 mineasy370 cal
A pot of vibrant yellow dal with a fragrant cumin and onion tempering
$0.57

Dal Tadka

40 mineasy220 cal
Colorful three bean salad in a bowl with vinaigrette
$0.57

Three Bean Salad

10 mineasy180 cal
Glistening spaghetti with golden garlic slices and red pepper flakes
$0.58

Pasta Aglio e Olio

20 mineasy380 cal
Fluffy lemon herb rice in a bowl with visible parsley and lemon zest
$0.59

Lemon Herb Rice

25 mineasy280 cal
A bowl of golden vermicelli soup in red tomato broth
$0.60

Sopa de Fideo

25 mineasy230 cal
A bowl of thick minestrone soup with beans, pasta, and vegetables
$0.60

Minestrone Soup

40 mineasy170 cal
Plate of mujaddara with lentils and rice topped with golden crispy onions
$0.60

Mujaddara - Rice and Lentils with Crispy Onions

50 mineasy310 cal
A bowl of seasoned pinto beans over fluffy white rice
$0.61

Beans and Rice

25 mineasy280 cal
Square slice of golden baked oatmeal with cinnamon and banana on a plate
$0.61

Baked Oatmeal

45 mineasy320 cal
Bright crunchy ramen cabbage salad with shredded carrots and green onions in a large bowl
$0.61

Ramen Noodle Crunch Salad

15 mineasy220 cal
A bowl of white rice topped with a sunny-side-up egg and green onion
$0.62

Rice and Egg Bowls

25 mineasy320 cal
Golden egg fried rice in a wok with scrambled eggs and green onions
$0.63

Egg Fried Rice

15 mineasy310 cal
A bowl of hearty black-eyed pea soup with tomatoes
$0.63

Black-Eyed Pea Soup

45 mineasy180 cal
A plate of spaghetti tossed in bright red marinara sauce
$0.66

Spaghetti Marinara

20 mineasy310 cal
A bowl of ramen soup with silky egg ribbons and green onion
$0.66

Ramen Egg Drop Soup

10 mineasy350 cal
Thick split pea soup with ham in a rustic bowl
$0.67

Split Pea and Ham Soup

70 mineasy250 cal
A bowl of creamy chunky potato soup garnished with chives
$0.69

Potato Soup

35 mineasy220 cal
Two-tone yogurt bowl with oats, banana, and honey drizzle
$0.69

Yogurt Granola Bowl

2 mineasy220 cal
Bowl of golden red lentil dal with cilantro garnish next to a scoop of rice
$0.70

Red Lentil Dal

35 mineasy240 cal
Bowl of tomato rice soup with basil garnish
$0.71

Tomato Rice Soup

30 mineasy190 cal
Creamy pale potato leek soup in a white bowl
$0.71

Potato Leek Soup

35 mineasy220 cal
A wok of colorful vegetable fried rice with scrambled egg and carrots
$0.73

Fried Rice with Vegetables

20 mineasy290 cal
Bowl of creamy oatmeal topped with cinnamon cooked apple chunks
$0.73

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

15 mineasy290 cal
Spaghetti aglio e olio coated in garlic olive oil sauce
$0.73

Pasta Aglio e Olio

20 mineasy390 cal
Thick vegetable lentil curry in a bowl served with a scoop of white rice
$0.74

Vegetable Lentil Curry

40 mineasy255 cal
Colorful stir fried vegetables with a soy glaze over white rice
$0.75

Vegetable Stir Fry

20 mineasy270 cal
Creamy homemade mac and cheese in a pot with a wooden spoon
$0.75

Homemade Mac and Cheese

20 mineasy490 cal
A bowl of smooth bright red tomato soup with a swirl of cream
$0.76

Tomato Basil Soup

25 mineasy120 cal
A rustic bowl of hearty cabbage and potato soup with tomatoes
$0.76

Cabbage and Potato Soup

40 mineasy180 cal
Creamy ham and potato soup in a white bowl garnished with black pepper
$0.77

Ham and Potato Soup

40 mineasy240 cal
A bowl of thick Italian pasta and bean soup with a drizzle of olive oil
$0.79

Pasta e Fagioli

30 mineasy280 cal
Bowl of white rice topped with seasoned black beans
$0.81

Black Bean Rice Bowl

25 mineasy350 cal
Thick lentil and vegetable stew in a bowl with bread
$0.82

Lentil and Vegetable Stew

50 mineasy290 cal
Mug overflowing with creamy mac and cheese on a dorm desk
$0.83

Microwave Mug Mac and Cheese

6 mineasy310 cal
A bowl of sweet potato and black bean chili with vibrant orange and black colors
$0.84

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

40 mineasy230 cal
A loaded baked potato split open with butter, cheese, and sour cream
$0.84

Baked Potatoes with Toppings

60 mineasy320 cal
A bowl of creamy oatmeal with peanut butter swirls and banana slices
$0.84

Peanut Butter Banana Oats

7 mineasy380 cal
A bowl of creamy red beans over white rice in the Louisiana style
$0.85

Red Beans and Rice

35 mineasy340 cal
Crispy bean quesadilla wedges on a plate with salsa on the side
$0.85

Veggie Bean Quesadillas

20 mineasy290 cal
Pinto bean tacos on corn tortillas with diced white onion and lime
$0.86

Pinto Bean Tacos

20 mineasy290 cal
Steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots and egg noodles
$0.86

Budget Chicken Noodle Soup

55 mineasy310 cal
Large pot of colorful vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes
$0.86

Freezer-Ready Vegetable Soup

45 mineasy155 cal
Wok-tossed egg fried rice with green onions in a bowl
$0.87

Egg Fried Rice

15 mineasy320 cal
Soft scrambled eggs piled on golden toasted bread
$0.88

Scrambled Eggs on Toast

10 mineasy300 cal
Tray of golden roasted chicken thighs with crispy skin fresh from the oven
$0.88

Batch Cooked Chicken Thighs

45 mineasy310 cal
Baked chicken and rice casserole in a ceramic dish
$0.90

Chicken and Rice Casserole

60 mineasy410 cal
Rustic ham and white bean soup in a deep pot
$0.90

Ham and Bean Soup

100 mineasy290 cal
Rice bowl topped with a runny fried egg drizzled with soy sauce
$0.90

Fried Egg Rice Bowl

12 mineasy310 cal
Two slices of toast topped with bright green mashed avocado and red pepper flakes
$0.90

Budget Avocado Toast

8 mineasy260 cal
Pasta coated in golden caramelized onion sauce
$0.92

French Onion Pasta

45 mineasy370 cal
Bowl of white bean and kale soup with tomato broth
$0.96

White Bean and Kale Soup

35 mineasy240 cal
Steaming bowl of miso ramen with soft boiled egg halves and green onions
$0.96

Budget Miso Ramen

15 mineasy310 cal
A slow cooker filled with tender shredded pulled chicken
$1.01

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

240 mineasy220 cal
Chunky egg salad on toasted white bread garnished with paprika
$1.01

Egg Salad Sandwich

22 mineasy350 cal
Large stockpot of hearty chicken and vegetable soup with steam rising
$1.01

Big-Batch Chicken Vegetable Soup

60 mineasy210 cal
A golden baked pasta dish with tuna and tomatoes in a casserole dish
$1.06

Tuna Pasta Bake

35 mineasy380 cal
Stack of foil-wrapped breakfast burritos next to a partially unwrapped one showing egg and potato filling
$1.06

Freezer Breakfast Burritos

35 mineasy360 cal
Street-style chicken tacos in corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, and lime
$1.07

Simple Chicken Tacos

25 mineasy310 cal
A colorful burrito bowl with sliced chicken over rice and black beans
$1.10

Chicken Burrito Bowl

30 mineasy450 cal
Warm flour tortillas filled with seasoned black beans and fresh toppings
$1.12

Black Bean Tacos

15 mineasy320 cal
Stir fried noodles with chicken and cabbage in a wok
$1.12

Chicken Stir Fry Noodles

30 mineasy420 cal
Deep green spinach lentil dal in a bowl with rice on the side
$1.13

Spinach Lentil Dal

35 mineasy290 cal
Crispy pan-fried ramen with scrambled eggs and a soy sauce glaze
$1.13

College Ramen Stir Fry

15 mineasy390 cal
A steaming pot of chicken and rice with golden seared chicken thighs
$1.14

One-Pot Chicken Rice

30 mineasy450 cal
Crispy tofu fried rice in a wok with soy sauce glaze
$1.14

Tofu Fried Rice

25 mineasy350 cal
Golden cheesy baked penne pasta in a casserole dish
$1.14

Cheesy Baked Pasta

40 mineasy380 cal
A pot of golden chickpea curry with tomato sauce over white rice
$1.15

Chickpea Curry

30 mineasy380 cal
Savory pork fried rice with carrots and egg in a wok
$1.18

Pork Fried Rice

25 mineasy430 cal
Crispy bean and cheese quesadilla cut into wedges with salsa for dipping
$1.19

Bean and Cheese Quesadilla

9 mineasy440 cal
Pan of egg noodles with caramelized cabbage and pork
$1.21

Pork and Cabbage Noodles

35 mineasy410 cal
A skillet with golden diced potatoes and scrambled eggs
$1.23

Potato and Egg Scramble

25 mineasy380 cal
Crispy golden garlic baked chicken thighs in a baking dish
$1.25

Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs

45 mineasy420 cal
A pot of deep red beef and bean chili with steam rising
$1.26

Chili Con Carne

45 mineasy310 cal
Cast iron skillet with spicy sausage slices and rice with peppers and green onions
$1.26

Spicy Sausage and Rice

30 mineasy420 cal
Bubbling baked ziti with white beans and golden melted mozzarella in a casserole dish
$1.31

Baked Ziti with White Beans

40 mineasy480 cal
A bowl of steamed rice topped with savory glazed ground turkey
$1.32

Ground Turkey Rice Bowl

25 mineasy390 cal
Skillet of ground beef and braised cabbage with tomatoes in a cast iron pan
$1.32

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

28 mineasy270 cal
Bowl of white bean and spinach soup with a drizzle of olive oil
$1.33

Spinach and White Bean Soup

25 mineasy260 cal
Colorful chicken stir fry with vegetables over white rice
$1.35

Chicken Stir Fry

25 mineasy420 cal
Golden turmeric tofu scramble in a cast iron skillet
$1.37

Spicy Tofu Scramble

17 mineasy220 cal
Colorful Mediterranean chickpea salad with olives, tomatoes, and cucumber in a white bowl
$1.39

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

10 mineasy280 cal
Skillet of shakshuka with eggs poached in red tomato sauce garnished with parsley
$1.39

Shakshuka - Eggs in Tomato Sauce

30 mineasy220 cal
Creamy mashed potato bowl topped with cheddar and sour cream
$1.42

Loaded Mashed Potato Bowl

30 mineasy350 cal
Bowl of taco soup topped with sour cream and shredded cheddar with tortilla chips
$1.43

Taco Soup

35 mineasy310 cal
Golden crispy quesadilla wedges on a plate with salsa
$1.45

Chicken Quesadillas

20 mineasy420 cal
Crispy golden chicken thighs and roasted potatoes on a sheet pan
$1.46

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

50 mineasy480 cal
Bowl of rustic chickpea and spinach stew with a drizzle of olive oil and bread on the side
$1.47

Chickpea and Spinach Stew

28 mineasy290 cal
A thick tuna salad sandwich on white bread with lettuce
$1.49

Tuna Salad Sandwich

10 mineasy360 cal

25 Meals Under $2 Per Serving

Get printable recipe cards for the 25 cheapest meals on BudgetRecipeDB.