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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.
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
5 from 4 votes
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.
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.
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!
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
5 from 1 vote
This personal pepperoni pizza features a crisp homemade crust, a rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and plenty of pepperoni. It is the perfect small pizza to bake at home when you want classic pizzeria flavor in a perfectly portioned size.
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.
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.
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.
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
4.93 from 28 votes
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
5 from 1 vote
This single serving breakfast sandwich features scrambled eggs, spinach, tomato, cheese, and avocado on a toasted bun and is ready in 10 minutes.
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!
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.
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!
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
5 from 9 votes
This single serving pasta al limone is a bright lemon pasta made with spaghetti, butter, Parmesan, garlic, and fresh lemon, ready in about 15 minutes.
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!
This single serving chicken salad is a small batch recipe made with tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and a creamy, tangy dressing, perfect for a quick lunch or light meal.
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
4.93 from 14 votes
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.
This small batch chocolate fudge is rich, smooth, and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients. Prepare it in the microwave or on the stovetop and enjoy creamy homemade fudge perfectly sized for one or two people.
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
5 from 27 votes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Welcome!
I’m Joanie, chef, author of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, and creator of One Dish Kitchen. With 10+ years of experience developing single serving and small batch recipes, I’m passionate about making cooking for one simple and enjoyable. So glad you’re here!
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.
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/
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.
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.