Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (2024)

Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (1)

Authors (and sisters) Megan and Jill Carle wanted a better dining option than their college meal plan. Rather than depend on sustenance from the campus cafeteria, the students prepared fresh meals in their off-campus apartment. The twosome knew they weren't alone in their quest, so they documented their findings and recipes in College Cooking and College Vegetarian Cooking, both designed for first-time cooks living on a limited budget with limited resources.What are the secrets to being a savvy student chef? Jill Carle dishes up her best tips and recipes for anyone looking to eat well while away from Mom's cooking.

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1

Check Your Dorm Kitchen

Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (3)

While some older dorms don't offer private kitchens, many universities are creating apartment-style living quarters equipped with cooking facilities. But even with a built-in kitchen, remember that your resources are likely to be limited. "Cooking in your mom's kitchen is different than cooking on your own," explains Jill Carle, co-author of College Cooking. Aside from not having a fully stocked pantry, you'll have to adjust to limited equipment and following campus rules. Microwaves are usually allowed, but toaster ovens, hot plates, and electric pots might be prohibited. Check with your school before purchasing.

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2

Equipment Essentials

Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (5)

Carle suggests stocking up on the basics: "Bowls, silverware, a plate, and a can opener." If you do have access to a kitchen, also acquire a good knife — a chef's or even a steak knife — and a big pot. "If you have a bigger pot, you can do a lot more. If you don't have mixing bowls, you can mix in a large pot. You can make a big batch of something in a big pot and you can make a small batch in a big pot, but you can't make a big batch in a small pot," Carle says.

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3

Keep Cooking Basics on Hand

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To avoid late-night fast-food visits, keep a few of your favorite foods on hand. "Canned goods are good," says Carle, who suggests canned beans: "They always work very well in the microwave." Supplement with rice and you've got a meal. Always have salt and pepper, plus other seasonings, like a Cajun mix, to keep things interesting. If you've got the room, stock basic starches. "Rice, pasta, and even potatoes because they keep for a long time," suggests Carle. "You can always make something with those ingredients plus a few canned and fresh vegetables." If getting or carrying supplies is a problem, learn to substitute. Buy bouillon cubes instead of canned stock. "It doesn't have the same flavor, but they aren't as heavy as carrying home 12 cans of stock," says Carle.

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4

Shop Smartly and You'll Save

Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (9)

After tuition and textbooks, your budget is tapped out. Though fast food might seem cheaper, it's more economical (and healthier) to make your own meals. Stock up on items when they go on sale. "If it's something you eat regularly, then there is no reason not to buy sale items," says Carle. Another cost-cutting tip: "If you're cooking for yourself, that doesn't mean you have to cut down a recipe for a single serving. Make the whole recipe and take the leftovers for lunch the next day or freeze it so you have it for a future dinner. In the long run, it's easier, because then you don't have to cook every single day."

Carle's favorite freezable dinner: stuffed shells.

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5

Avoid the Freshman Fifteen

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"The first time on your own, it's really easy to eat pizza for every meal and tempting to chow down on ice cream and fries, but it doesn't mean you should," says Carle. Get some variety in your diet. "I would say what every mom says: 'Eat your veggies' or some sort of fiber or it's all just gonna sit there for a really long time." That says it all.

Read on for the recipes!

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6

Breakfast of Champions

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Craving: After a long night of studying (or partying) you need sustenance. Eggs are the perfect option for a filling breakfast packed with protein.

Try This Recipe: What's-in-the-Fridge Frittata

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7

Mexican Cravings Conquered

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Craving: Tacos. It's hard to resist the convenience (and price) of Taco Bell. But nothing beats packing a warm tortilla with fresh ingredients.

Try This Recipe: Black Bean and Corn Tacos

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8

Pizza Party

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Craving: Pizza. In less time than it takes Domino's delivery to get to your door, you could make your own custom pie, hot and fresh out of the oven.

Try This Recipe: Homemade Pizza

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9

Say No to Chinese Takeout

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Craving: Chinese. Hang up that phone. You can make a steaming plate of Chinese food that's even more flavorful and less caloric than your local take-out shop's version.

Try This Recipe: Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

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10

Skip the Ramen, Go Thai

Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (21)

Craving: Noodles. We know: All you need is hot water to have an instant cup of noodles. Invest a few more minutes and make a hot noodle dish that won't taste like the Styrofoam cup it came from.

Try This Recipe: Tofu Pad Thai

Cooking 101: Tips and Recipes for the College-Bound (2024)

FAQs

How do I start cooking for myself in college? ›

  1. If you can, cook with others. If you have roommates, it is immensely helpful to coordinate your meals with them. ...
  2. Compile a list of go-to dishes. ...
  3. Take shortcuts if you need. ...
  4. Know your grocery stores. ...
  5. Take advantage of recipes in cookbooks or on the internet. ...
  6. Eat what you want to eat.
Apr 15, 2022

How do you make good food in college? ›

You can make whatever you want, but don't. Instead, cook simply and frequently. Lean on lunch and dinner formats like pasta; roasted meat, fish, or vegetables; hearty salads; rice bowls; stir-fry; and pita pizzas. For breakfast, stick with standards like eggs and toast, yogurt and fruit, and oatmeal.

How does cooking help college students? ›

From learning how to budget when buying groceries or learning how to meal prep ahead of a busy week, cooking skills should be vital for every college student.

How do you cook for yourself in college dorm? ›

“If your dorm allows desktop appliances, Instant Pot makes a tiny 3-quart dorm version, and air fryers come in super small 1.1-quart sizes,” he explains, “Both are way more versatile than a microwave.” If you have the space and they're allowed, a rice cooker can be huge for preparing one-pot meals, too.

How can I cook in a college dorm? ›

Choose items that will help you make the types of food you want to eat, such as blenders for smoothies and shakes, a panini press for sandwiches, and a microwave and microwave cookware for everything in between (pro tip: Many college campuses offer a microwave and mini-fridge rental program!).

What is the most important skill in cooking? ›

Learning proper knife skills will help to make your dishes cook evenly, your flavors develop in a consistent manner, and your time in the kitchen much more relaxed. Learning proper knife skills should be the number one skill every growing chef should learn.

What are some basic cooking skills? ›

25 skills every cook should know
  • How to chop an onion. ...
  • How to master basic knife skills. ...
  • How to boil an egg. ...
  • How to cook pasta. ...
  • How to poach an egg. ...
  • How to melt chocolate. ...
  • How to make an omelette. ...
  • How to bake a potato.
Sep 24, 2014

What is the first thing you learn in cooking school? ›

However, typically, the first thing that students learn is basic knife skills. This includes how to properly hold and use a knife, how to sharpen and maintain the blade, and how to safely cut and chop various types of food.

What is one key to eating well in college? ›

Eat a Variety of Foods, Frequently

So, try taking a simple approach: Eat frequently throughout the day, making sure you take time for snacks and meals between classes. Aim to get a wide variety of foods so that you're more likely to get your nutritional needs met without a lot of effort.

How to eat as a poor college student? ›

These meal ideas are perfect for college students living on a budget who don't have much time to cook.
  1. 10 Cheap Meals for College Students. ...
  2. Chicken and Veggie Baking Sheet. ...
  3. Tater Tot Casserole. ...
  4. Ramen. ...
  5. Mac and Cheese. ...
  6. Two Scrambled Eggs and Toast. ...
  7. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. ...
  8. Baked Ravioli.
Jul 8, 2022

Should I learn how do you cook for college? ›

As a college student, you'll have a very busy schedule, and cooking might be one of the last things on your mind. However, I really recommend learning some basics, not only to save money but also to prepare for life after college.

Do college students cook their own food? ›

Most dorms allow microwave ovens and some fraternities and sororities have a communal kitchens. Universities often have cafeterias or food kiosks. It isn't really necessary to cook. But some students do (using hot plates and other devices).

How many college students don t know how to cook? ›

A further three in 10 regret not learning how to budget. Nearly one in five (17%) college grads polled still don't know how to cook or do their own laundry. Twenty-six percent are also feeling lost when it comes to basic apartment maintenance too – like unclogging a toilet or resetting a Wi-Fi router.

Is going to college for cooking worth it? ›

Cooks and chefs regularly debate the merits of culinary school. It's also a question I asked 50 U.S.-based kitchen workers during a study I conducted from 2018 to 2020. Of those 50 workers, 22 had attended culinary school. And of those 22 chefs, 17 believed their education was worth the cost – over three-quarters.

What is it called when you go to college for cooking? ›

Description: A culinary arts degree is a general education degree in the culinary field that teaches students the basics of food preparation and safety, how a kitchen or restaurant functions, fundamentals of taste and flavor and instruction on culinary techniques.

What percent of college students cook for themselves? ›

Most college students reported often (45.7%) or sometimes (40.3%) cooking.

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