College life is a whirlwind with classes, study sessions, and tight budgets leave little time for cooking. That’s why we’ve created 31 easy college meals that make eating well simple, whether you’re in a dorm or an apartment.
These low-cost recipes are designed for one, using pantry staples and simple tools like a microwave, hot plate, small stovetop or oven. From quick one-pot taco soup to no-bake cheesecake, every dish saves time and money while packing flavor.
Why you’ll love these meals:
- Budget-friendly: Low-cost ingredients keep your wallet happy.
- Fast: Most recipes take 15–30 minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
- Dorm or apartment-ready: No fancy kitchen needed!
Our single-serve meals let you eat well without the hassle, wherever you call home.
Stove Top/Hot Plate Favorites
Make the most of your stove or hot plate with easy, flavorful meals. From quick stir-fries to hearty soups, these recipes are perfect for college cooking.
Caprese Pasta For One
This single serving Caprese pasta is made with tender pasta, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. It’s a quick, flavorful vegetarian meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Caprese Pasta For One Recipe
Tuscan Chicken For One
This creamy, single serving Tuscan Chicken recipe features tender chicken strips cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Ready in 30 minutes.
Tuscan Chicken For One Recipe
Shrimp Fried Rice For One
Shrimp Fried Rice made with cooked rice and plenty of shrimp and vegetables. An easy single serving meal that cooks in just 10 minutes!
Shrimp Fried Rice For One Recipe
Chickpea Curry For One
Easily prepare single serve Chickpea Curry in one pan in less than 20 minutes! A delightful vegetarian dish with rich spices, creamy coconut milk, and hearty chickpeas.
Chili Mac For One Recipe
Taco Soup For One
This single serving taco soup is packed with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and tomatoes, creating a hearty and flavorful meal. It comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Taco Soup For One Recipe
Easy Oven Baked Meals
Turn your oven into a go-to tool for easy, satisfying meals. These recipes include everything from casseroles to roasted chicken, all perfectly sized for one.
Personal Pepperoni Pizza
This personal pepperoni pizza recipe features a homemade dough, flavorful sauce, and classic toppings like mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. It's simple to make and perfectly portioned for one or two people.
Personal Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Lasagna Rollups For One
Single serving lasagna rollups are made with tender noodles filled with meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese. Baked until hot and bubbly, they bring all the flavors of classic lasagna in a perfectly portioned dish.
Lasagna Rollups For One Recipe
Baked Chicken Thighs For One
This baked chicken thighs recipe features juicy, flavorful chicken with crispy skin, seasoned simply with pantry staples. It's easy to make and perfect for a satisfying meal.
Baked Pork Chop For One Recipe
Mini Eggplant Parmesan
This Mini Eggplant Parmesan is a smaller version of the classic Italian dish, featuring crispy eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and perfectly sized for one or two servings.
Go To Recipe
Toaster Oven Meals For One
A toaster oven does more than just reheat or toast, it’s a great tool for small kitchens. From chicken tenders to nachos to sheet pan lasagna, you can make quick, flavorful meals with minimal cleanup.
Baked Chicken Tenders For One
These baked chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in just 20 minutes. A quick and easy meal made with simple ingredients.
Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe
Sheet Pan Salmon for One
This one-pan meal features roasted salmon and asparagus, seasoned with a flavorful butter mixture and baked on a sheet pan. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s an easy and delicious dinner!
Sheet Pan Salmon for One Recipe
Nachos For One
This small batch of loaded nachos are made with crispy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. They’re quick to assemble and perfect for a satisfying snack or easy meal.
Nachos For One Recipe
Baked Shrimp For One
This baked shrimp recipe features juicy shrimp tossed in a lemon butter sauce and baked to perfection in just 10 minutes. Perfect for a quick, flavorful single serving meal.
Baked Shrimp For One Recipe
Easy College Meals for Breakfast
Fuel your day with these easy college meals for breakfast. From sweet baked oatmeal to hearty egg dishes, we have options to jumpstart your morning right.
Breakfast Sandwich For One
Ready in minutes, this breakfast sandwich is a great way to start the day. Made with simple ingredients, this hearty meal makes the perfect breakfast!
Breakfast Sandwich For One Recipe
Breakfast Bowl
This easy breakfast bowl is made with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese, then topped with green onions for extra flavor. It’s a quick, customizable meal that’s perfect for starting the day. Ready in just 10 minutes!
Breakfast Bowl Recipe
Easy Fluffy Pancakes For One
Make easy, fluffy pancakes for one in just 15 minutes! This small-batch recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have to make two or three soft, delicious pancakes.
Pancakes Recipe For One
Baked Oatmeal For One
This single serving baked oatmeal is made with old-fashioned oats, milk, honey, and your favorite fruit. It's a warm, hearty breakfast that's easy to make!
Baked Oatmeal For One Recipe
No Recipe College Meals
When you’re short on time or equipment, these simple meal ideas are just what you need. With minimal ingredients and no exact measurements, they’re quick, easy, and satisfying.
Pasta al Limone For One (Lemon Pasta)
Pasta al limone, also called lemon pasta, is a delicious Italian dish that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with savory pasta. This simple yet elegant single serving dish is ready in 15 minutes!
Pasta al Limone For One Recipe
Peanut Butter Toast
Peanut butter toast with apple slices and a drizzle of honey make a quick and easy breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Perfect for fall and apple season!
Peanut Butter u0026 Apple Toast Recipe
Chicken Salad For One
Enjoy a fast and flavorful Chicken Salad for one with our 10-minute recipe. Leftover chicken, veggies, and pecans create a healthy, tasty dish.
Chicken Salad For One Recipe
S’mores Dip For One
This single serving s’mores dip is an easy, oven-baked twist on the classic campfire treat. Melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows come together in minutes—just grab your favorite dippers and enjoy!
Mini S’mores Dip Recipe
Easy College Microwave Desserts
Your college microwave can do more than reheat – it can make quick, delicious desserts, too. These easy recipes are perfect for sweet treats right in your dorm room.
Small Batch Chocolate Candy
This small batch chocolate candy recipe is easy to make with just two ingredients. Melted chocolate is mixed with nuts, dried fruit, or other add-ins, then chilled until firm for a delicious homemade treat.
Small Batch Chocolate Candy
Small Batch Microwave Fudge
Whip up rich and creamy fudge in just minutes with this easy microwave recipe! Perfectly portioned for a small batch, it’s ideal for sharing or enjoying as a quick treat. This simple recipe is sure to be a hit with friends and family.
Small Batch Microwave Fudge
Rice Krispie Treat For One
A single serving Rice Krispie Treat made with butter, marshmallows, and crispy rice cereal—quick, easy, and perfectly chewy!
Rice Krispie Treats For One
No Bake College Meal Desserts
No oven? No problem. These no-bake desserts are perfect for dorm living and use simple ingredients you likely have on hand. From chocolate peanut butter treats to puppy chow, enjoy easy, fuss-free sweets without baking.
No-Bake Cheesecake For One
This single serving, no-bake cheesecake features a creamy, whipped filling over a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s quick to make and perfect when you want a single sweet treat.
No Bake Cheesecake For One
Small Batch Puppy Chow
This small batch Puppy Chow is a sweet, crunchy snack made with cereal coated in melted white chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. It’s quick to make and perfectly portioned for one or two people.
Small Batch Puppy Chow
Small Batch Peanut Butter Balls
Small batch peanut butter balls made with creamy peanut butter, honey, and powdered milk for a smooth, creamy texture. No baking required.
Small Batch Peanut Butter Balls
Strawberry Icebox Cake For One
This single serving strawberry icebox cake is made with layers of graham crackers, a creamy whipped filling, and fresh strawberries. It’s an easy, no-bake dessert that’s light, refreshing, and perfect for one.
Strawberry Icebox Cake For One
More Dessert Recipes
Finish your meal with an easy dessert made for busy students. From a deep dish chocolate chip cookie to a rich fudgy brownie, there’s a sweet treat for every taste.
Small Batch M&M Cookies
Soft and chewy small batch M&M cookies made with simple ingredients and loaded with colorful chocolate candies. This easy recipe bakes just the right amount for a sweet homemade treat.
Small Batch Mu0026M Cookies
Easy Apple Crisp For One
Enjoy a single serve Apple Crisp – a quick and easy dessert with warm, spiced fruit and a crumbly topping, made using just one apple and pantry staples.
Apple Crisp For One Recipe
Small Batch Brownies
Rich and fudgy small batch brownies made with simple ingredients. Perfect for one or two people, these brownies are quick to make and packed with intense chocolate flavor.
Small Batch Brownies Recipe
Quick Tips
- Use time-savers like pre-shredded cheese, frozen vegetables, and rotisserie chicken.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and portion them in containers to save time during the week.
- Try choosing one recipe per day to simplify meal planning and reduce food waste.
A few staples can go a long way in a small kitchen.
Pantry Basics:
- Stock up on items like pasta, canned beans, rice, olive oil, broth, and basic spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.).
Protein Picks:
- Choose versatile proteins like chicken breast, ground beef or turkey, shrimp, or a rotisserie chicken to use across several meals.
Easy Swaps:
- For vegetarian options, use beans, lentils, or tofu in place of meat.
- For gluten-free needs, substitute regular pasta or bread with gluten-free versions or use rice.
Storage & Scaling Guide
Cooking for one means less waste, and sometimes doubling a recipe can save time later.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. Store them in airtight containers.
- Most recipes keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, but always check for freshness before eating.
Scaling Up:
- Many recipes in this roundup easily double if you want to prep for another day.
- Cook once and enjoy it again later, perfect for busy class or work days.
Never mind the college students, I’m in my 70s and will be making some of these. In my defence I still study.
Thank you so much for the recipes that are made for one two people.
You are most welcome. I’m so happy you are finding the recipes helpful.
Anybody have suggestions for cookware to make these recipes in? I like the concept but all my bakeware/cookware is larger & I have to thus make more portions than what is featured here.
Hi Stacy,
With each of the recipes, I try to link to the bakeware and cookware I recommend using. Also take a look at our store page which links to all products used in the recipes. You can find many of the small dishes at discount stores, Target, and on Amazon. https://store.onedishkitchen.com/
Joanie
Wow. It looks delicious. I love your recipes. So, I will try to make it very soon. Your recipes will help me. Thanks for sharing.
This is a fantastic list – I’m pinning it for when I need easy meals and to teach my kids now so that they have a selection of recipes that they will always be able to cook.
Great list! I sent this over to my niece who just moved out and is in her first year of college. Thanks.