Easy Recipes for Lazy College Students

Ever since freshman year ended, I have no longer been on the school meal plan (#bless). As gross as that food was and as much as I don’t miss it a single ounce, I must admit it was nice to just walk over to the dining hall and have food already made for me. Now I’m a senior with a fully stocked kitchen and I am forced to cook, which I honestly wish I enjoyed, but I don’t. I have pretty much found ways to cheat the system by doing the absolute bare minimum when it comes to cooking. And to be honest, some of the stuff I make is actually really good and pretty healthy. So to all my fellow homies who hate the process of cooking but are too poor to order in every night - this one’s for you. 

Keep in mind, all of these recipes can be modified to fit what you like! 

LUNCHES: 

1. Chicken Wrap

Ingredients: 

• Whole wheat flour tortilla 

• Deli sliced chicken 

• Sliced provolone 

• Spinach

This one is pretty self explanatory. I usually put about 4 slices of chicken on the tortilla with one slice of provolone and then a bunch of spinach. Then I put it in the toaster so the spinach gets crispy and the cheese melts a little. Add olive oil or any other condiments/sauces that you may like. I’m just super picky so I usually go for it without sauce. This is usually the lunch I will pack when I don’t have time to go home in between class and work! 

2. Egg and Smoked Salmon Sandwich 

Ingredients:

• 2 Eggs 

• Whole wheat english muffin 

• Smoked salmon 

• Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel seasoning 

• Olive oil spray or canola oil spray

This is definitely my favorite thing to make for lunch. Start off by cracking both eggs in a bowl, whisking them and adding some salt and pepper. Spray a pan with some olive oil spray and add the egg mixture to the pan. Cut an english muffin in half and put it in the toaster. Scramble the eggs. Take the english muffin out of the toaster and lay a slice of smoked salmon on each half. Then add the scrambled eggs to the top of the english muffin. Top it off by putting some Everything But The Bagel Seasoning on it . 

3. Soup and Salad Combo  

Ingredients: 

• Arugula

• Spring mix lettuce 

• Chopped red onion

• Feta cheese 

• Red wine vinegar 

• Olive oil 

• Can of your favorite soup

I absolutely hate salad... except for this one. Shoutout to my friend Francesca who showed me this recipe and made me actually enjoy salad. In order to make this more filling, I recommend adding grilled chicken strips.  In a bowl, mix the arugula and spring mix lettuce. Add some feta and some pre-chopped red onion and then add the red wine vinegar and olive oil as dressing. In a pan, literally just heat up your favorite type of canned soup. I usually go for Italian Wedding because it goes well with the salad, but chicken noodle is a close runner up. 

DINNERS: 

1. Chili Lime Chicken Burgers 

Ingredients: 

• Olive oil spray or canola oil spray

• Trader Joe's chili lime chicken burgers

• Minute brown rice 

• Baby spinach

• Salt

• Garlic powder

• Ghee or butter 

I’m actually laughing at myself because there isn’t even anything to explain for this one. Trader Joe’s sells these AMAZING frozen chili lime burgers that take approximately 7 minutes to heat up in a pan with some olive oil spray. They actually have so much flavor and are super low in calories. Then to continue doing the bare minimum, I microwave a container of brown minute rice. In another pan, I will throw in some baby spinach with some salt, garlic powder and ghee (healthier butter from Trader Joe’s) and call it a NIGHT. 

2. Chickpea Pasta Scampi 

Ingredients: 

• Chickpea pasta

• Zucchini

• Frozen pre-cooked baby shrimp

• Lemon juice

• Ghee or butter 

• Minced garlic 

This one is absolute fire and your roommates will be thoroughly impressed with the presentation of it. I buy rotini shaped chickpea pasta because fun-shaped pasta is always the best. Boil the water, throw the pasta in the pot and cook it for about 9 minutes. In a pan, throw in a few frozen already cooked baby shrimp. Cut up some zucchini and also throw it in the same pan. Then as that cooks, add some lemon juice, ghee, and minced garlic. Strain the pasta, and top it with the shrimp, zucchini and sauce mix. 

3. Fried Rice 

Ingredients 

• Olive oil spray or canola oil spray

• Brown minute rice 

• 1 egg 

• Soy sauce

• Mushrooms

• Broccoli 

• Spinach 

This recipe is super versatile. You can add any of your favorite veggies and you can add a protein like shrimp, chicken or tofu. First spray the pan with some olive oil spray or canola oil spray. Then add the veggies because they take longest to cook. Cut them up into small pieces so that the fried rice is easier to eat. Once the veggies turn brown, throw in the brown rice. Mix it. Then crack an egg into the pot and mix that in so it scrambles. Add soy sauce. 

So there you have it. Super quick, super easy recipes that don’t take a lot of multitasking or energy and are pretty healthy. I think I just made your college life 10X easier. Chef Maddie signing out.