Hello, I’m Skyla Drummond, a full-time college student who’s always on the go. Between classes, work, and campus life, finding time to cook a decent meal can be a real challenge. That’s why I decided to write my first blog on easy college meals, which includes a mix of recipes I make myself and favorites from my roommates.
I know how hard it can be to eat well when you’re busy, so I’ve included a variety of comfort meals, healthy options, and home-cooked classics. Each recipe is written for one person (with possible leftovers), but you can easily adjust the portions depending on how many people you’re feeding.
Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta: The Perfect Dish for a Gloomy Day
This Creamy Caramelized Onion Pasta is the ultimate comfort dish. It’s rich, flavorful, and sure to please a crowd. Inspired by a recipe my dad and I discovered and refined together, it’s become a beloved favorite in our kitchen.
Ingredients:
– 1 stick of Butter
– One or two onions (This is based on preference, but I always use 2)
– Sugar (I suggest white sugar, not brown)
– Pasta (I suggest Rigatoni)
– Heavy cream
– Parmesan cheese (can substitute for mozzarella, or any mild white cheese you have)
Instructions:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil (remember to add salt)
- Slice your onion(s) into thin slices
- In a pan, add a full stick of butter, on low heat
- Throw your onions into the pan, and sprinkle with sugar to balance the taste
- While they are sautéing in the butter, make sure to stir every once in a while, and adjust the heat if the edges start to darken (aka burnt)
- Add your pasta once the water is boiling. Strain your pasta right before it is fully cooked and set it off to the side.
- Once the onions are caramelized, they should be translucent and golden. Then add cheese and heavy cream and stir. Continue stirring on low heat until the sauce develops a creamy consistency
Tip: blend the sauce in a blender or use an immersion blender to blend in the onions with the sauce. If not, you can take them out and chop them all up or just eat the strips
- Dump the pasta in the pan with the sauce and blend, then it’s ready to enjoy
Tip: Add some medium rare steak on top for added protein
I love serving this pasta with warm garlic bread and topped with grilled medium rare filets. It’s the perfect hearty dish to cozy up with on a cold or gloomy day.
Burger Bowls: A Fan Favorite
These Burger Bowls are a fan favorite among me and my roommates. They’re a simple, flavorful, and nutritious meal that’s perfect for busy weeks. They’re incredibly easy to meal prep, and I love portioning them into containers for quick reheating and customizing with our favorite sauces.
Ingredients: All added toppings are based on your personal preference
– Rice (I suggest minute made rice)
– Ground beef
– Onion
– Cottage cheese
– Cheese (I suggest mixed cheese/Mexican blend cheese)
– Lettuce
– Tomato
– Spicy Mayo
– Mayo (I use Kewpie Mayo)
– Sweet potato
– Avocado
Directions:
- Dice onions and sauté in a pan with butter until semi-translucent
- Cook the minute rice with instructions on the side. (If you get the same kind as me, it should be to measure the water, boil it, then add the rice and let it sit.)
- Add the ground beef into the onion pan with seasoned salt, garlic salt, and some taco seasoning as well.
- There are several ways to cook your sweet potatoes, but I peel them, cut them into bite size pieces, add oil to a pan and sauté the outside, and then add an inch of water to the pan and let them steam until soft and al-dente
- Add your rice to the bowl, then the ground beef and sweet potatoes as your base.
- Chop your toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion (more if you’d like)
- Add all toppings to the bowl, as well as your cheese and sauces (I do Kewpie Mayo and spicy mayo) and some cottage cheese or corn salsa! Anything else that sounds good – you do you!!!
Tip: Eat with chips on the side to add some carbs
I like to mix cottage cheese into the beef for an added boost of protein, creating a well-balanced dish. It’s a wholesome, satisfying meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious!
Sushi Bowls: The Easiest Way to Bring Sushi Night Home
I’ve always loved exploring different genres of food, and these Sushi Bowls are one of my absolute favorites. They capture the fresh experience of a sushi restaurant, but in a quick, homemade version that’s easy to customize and enjoy anytime.
Ingredients:
– Salmon / Ahi Tuna (based on preference)
– Sticky rice (minute white rice will also work)
– Mayo – Spicy Mayo and Kewpie Mayo
– Rice Wine Vinegar
– Toppings: pickled onions, cucumber, sliced jalapenos, sliced carrots, sliced avocado
Optional: Seaweed strips
Directions:
- Cook rice by following instructions listed on the box
- Use white wine vinegar to break up the rice while it cools and set aside.
- Wash the Ahi Tuna, place it whole (or cut into squares) into a pan on medium high heat and Sauté on both sides for two minutes.
- Cut tuna into squares and place in a bowl with your rice.
5. Add sliced jalapenos, pickled onions, avocado, carrot slices and cucumber to the bowl as well as spicy mayo and kewpie mayo
Tip: add seaweed strips to bowl
When my family lived in Tulsa, we loved visiting Yokozuna for their incredible tuna rice bowls, and I’m thrilled to hear they’re expanding to Springdale or Rogers soon! This recipe brings those same delicious flavors to your own kitchen, but without the hassle of a reservation.
Cooking in college doesn’t have to be stressful, it can actually be fun and rewarding! I hope these recipes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and share a meal with friends, no matter how busy life gets.