15 Easy College Meals (Plus Prep Tips)

Meal Prep for College Students

Between classes, socializing, sports, and everything else, college is undoubtedly a busy time for many. It’s a time for independence, and for many students, it’s the first time they’ve been solely responsible for their own meal prep. Luckily, there is no shortage of simple meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner that you can quickly put together as a college student using a minimal number of ingredients from the comfort of your dorm or communal kitchen.

Check out these easy meals for college students, explore some helpful tips for simplifying meal prep, and learn how to get the most out of your meal plan.

Macaroni & Cheese

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a slow boil. Add a box of macaroni and cook for about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in cheese sauce or add shredded cheddar cheese and a little bit of milk until the mixture is fully melted. Add the mixture to the macaroni and enjoy.

• Tip: Mac and cheese is best kept refrigerated in an airtight container and should be eaten within a few days. 

Pasta

Like macaroni, pasta makes for a versatile, easy lunch or dinner. Bring a pot of water to a medium boil, add in a pinch of salt, and let the noodles cook for 8–10 minutes. In a separate saucepan, add a little tomato or alfredo sauce, herbs, and ground beef or sliced salami for protein. Drain the noodles and pour on the sauce. Top with grated parmesan cheese. 

• Tip: To freshen the taste, cook your noodles al-dente (slightly undercooked) and portion them into containers for easier prep.

Salads

Mix up some fresh greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced carrots, or other vegetables and top with a protein like chicken, turkey, or ham and grated cheese. Pour on your favorite dressing or squirt on a little lemon juice. Pasta salad is another easy option if you have a lot of leftover noodles but you don’t want to have to reheat anything.

• Tip: Invest in some labeled containers to easily separate your salad ingredients and make prep easier.

Finger Sandwiches

Get creative using two slices of whole grain bread and spread on hummus, then add sliced avocados, tomatoes, and arugula for a tasty vegetarian sandwich. For Italian lovers, add provolone and salami, prosciutto, or another deli meat. For a sweeter sandwich, try peanut butter, sliced banana, walnuts, and a drizzle of honey. Cut into pieces for bite-sized enjoyment.

–         Tip: Store condiments separately if making multiple sandwiches to avoid sogginess.

Wraps

The sandwich’s friendly cousin, the wrap, requires little more than a tortilla or pita, cold sliced deli meat, bacon bits, chicken or fish, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, grilled onions, cheese, and your choice of dressing or sauce. Wrap the components tightly together and fold the edges so everything stays inside.

• Tip: For meal prep, tightly wrap each in plastic wrap or tin foil to prevent sogginess.

English Muffin Pizzas

Cut English muffins into halves, spread on a spoonful of pizza sauce, sprinkle on shredded mozzarella cheese, and top with your favorite pizza toppings, like banana peppers, pepperoni, or ham and pineapple. Stick it in the microwave or oven for a few minutes or until browned around the edges.

• Tip: For faster prep, make ahead and freeze.

Quesadillas

Spread some shredded cheese onto a tortilla and add some cooked chicken. Cover the top with a second tortilla and turn over until both sides are browned. Cut into squares for slices and enjoy.

• Tip: Use a minimal amount of oil to get optimal results.

Tacos

Cook a pound of ground beef until fully browned and mix in a little water and taco seasoning, if desired. Chop lettuce and tomatoes into smaller bits. Pour the meat into taco shells and sprinkle in the lettuce and tomato, along with shredded cheese. Add a little taco sauce for added flavor.

• Tip: Cook and refrigerate ground beef the night before for easier prep.

Burrito Bowl

Cook rice and beans separately. Add it into a bowl, along with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, veggies, corn, and sauteed mushrooms. Add shredded cheese or queso blanco. For additional protein, add grilled chicken or sofritas.

• Tip: Burrito bowls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Baked Potatoes

Bake whole potatoes on parchment paper for 45 to 60 minutes or until the skin is crisp at 415–425 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow potatoes to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Top with butter, sour cream, salt and pepper, and cheddar cheese or chicken and barbecue sauce.

• Tip: Cook potatoes ahead and reheat for a minute in the microwave or oven for easier prep.

Stuffed Biscuits

Stuff pre-made biscuit dough with ground sausage or ham and shredded cheese. For a healthier option, stuff with veggies and mashed potatoes to create mini biscuit pot pies.

• Tip: If available, consider using paper liners and a muffin pan to better keep the dough and cheese contained.

Crepes

Whisk a half cup of milk, a half cup of water, two eggs, and a dash of salt together. Stir in one cup of flour and two tablespoons of melted butter. Pour the batter into a hot skillet or griddle and cook until the bottom is lightly browned. Flip until both sides are evenly cooked. Enjoy with fresh fruit, breakfast meat, or a sweet spread.

• Tip: Triple the recipe to make enough batter to store for the next week or two.

Egg Scramble

For another quick yet delicious hot breakfast idea, whisk together four eggs. Sauté a little garlic, onion, pre-cooked potato, and bacon bits in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat slightly and pour in the egg. Continue to stir until the eggs have set and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add a dash of hot sauce for some spice.

• Tip: Consider salting your eggs before cooking to help them maintain moisture.

Overnight Oats

Make mornings even easier by mixing up your favorite oatmeal along with Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a sweetener like maple syrup or honey for flavor. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, top with fresh fruit, dried berries, nut butters, chopped nuts, or a dash of cinnamon.

• Tip: The consistency is best with rolled oats.

Acai Bowl

Add frozen acai, bananas, and your choice of milk, kefir, or yogurt to a blender and blend until fully combined. Add fruit like berries, hemp, flax, or chia seeds; fold in peanut butter or another nut butter, and sprinkle on whole nuts.

• Tip: Stir in protein powder or collagen to give yourself an extra kick for the day.

Bonus Snack Ideas

Stay healthy with celery sticks and peanut butter or hummus and carrots. Nuts, dried berries, whole apples and bananas, hard-boiled eggs, trail mix, granola bars, guacamole, and tortilla chips can also make for a tasty snack.

Take Advantage of Your Meal Plan

Don’t feel like meal prepping? Get the most out of your college experience with a meal plan. With a meal plan, you can enjoy campus life your way, whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or are hungry for a full meal. Use your student status to utilize your university’s dining facilities at a discount and enjoy the convenience of quick and easy on-campus meals.

Explore Meal Plans at Regent University

Regent’s Meal Plan program allows students to use allotted meal swipes and “Royal Dollars” towards three on-campus services. These include The Ordinary Cafe, our primary on-campus dining establishment serving delicious meals at low prices; 77 Coffeehouse, serving fresh coffee, tea, and other beverages and baked goods; and the Regent Gift Shop, where students can load up on gear. Learn more and sign up for Fall 2025 at regent.edu/mealplans.

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