• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Meal Prepify

Meal Prep Ideas & Meal Prep advice

  • About Us
  • Meal Prep Recipes
    • Cheap Recipes
    • Low Carb & Keto Recipes
    • Healthy Meal Prep Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
  • Kitchen Appliances
    • Air Fryers
    • Blenders
    • Cookware
    • Juicers
    • Kitchen Range Hoods
    • Microwaves
    • Pots and Pans
    • Sinks and Faucets
  • Cooking Substitutes
Home » Meal Prep Recipes

41 Meal Prep Ideas for College Students (Under $2 Per Serving)

02/09/2022 by Richmond Howard

This article may contain links from our affiliate partners. Please read how we make money!

Here’s a tasty selection of meal prep ideas for college students that use accessible, inexpensive, and nutritious ingredients. It’s important to eat healthily, and that’s emphasized in college when you have rigorous study and training schedules.

If you’re new to meal prepping and want to get up-to-date with some food safety, have a look at these articles:

How Long Does Meal Prep Last?

How to Freeze Meal Prep: The Ultimate Guide

How to Store Meal Prep: Do’s and Don’ts

How to Reheat Meal Prep

These resources will give you some of the basics you should know before starting your meal prep journey!

FAQs about Meal Prep in College

What are the benefits of meal prepping in college?

There are a lot of benefits to meal prepping in college! If you’re looking to be more cost-effective with your food costs or want to eat healthily or follow a specific diet consistently, then meal prep will be an excellent choice for you!

Well-planned meal prep should save you time, money and improve your nutrient intake. If you’re new to meal prep, I suggest looking at our meal prep beginners guide for a bunch of useful tips and tricks!

Should I meal prep in college?

Yes! Especially for students that follow a rigorous routine with studying or athletics. Excellent nutrient intake is proven to help learning and sports performance.

How do I meal prep efficiently in college?

The trick we love to do is invest in an Instant pot or slow cooker. These kitchen appliances allow you to cook hearty meals with just 5 minutes of prep time. 

Another way is to cook freezer-friendly recipes and batch cook meals for next week. Instead of making 2 or 3 portions, make 4 to 6 and freeze the rest for later in the month.

41 Meal Prep Ideas for College Students (Under $2 Per Serving)     

Now enjoy our tasty selection of meal prep ideas for college students!

Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas for College Students

1. High-Protein Overnight Oats 

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

These healthy high-protein overnight oats are packed with protein and taste absolutely amazing! They are perfect for meal prepping and are an easy, nutritious way to start your day.

2. Keto Starbucks Egg Bites

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This egg bites recipe is a Starbucks copycat. It is one of those meals you can make ahead and freeze for later! Unlike the store-branded breakfast egg bites that cost about $4.45 for two, ours make a budget-friendly high protein breakfast that only costs $1.00 for two.

3. Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Sandwiches

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Easy healthy breakfast meal prep sandwiches made with baked eggs and veggies, topped with crispy bacon and cheese on an English muffin. These sandwiches are delicious, packed with protein, and convenient!

4. Strawberry and Coconut Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Strawberry overnight oats taste like strawberry shortcake, but are nutritious with fresh strawberries and oats! They’re easy to make, perfect for meal prep, and great for grabbing on the go for breakfast or a healthy dessert.

5. Banana Oat Waffles (Gluten-Free)

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Healthy + easy waffles are gluten-free, nut-free, fluffy, and freezer-friendly! If you like bananas and oats separately, you will enjoy them together in this banana-oat waffle recipe! Make a batch and freeze for busy mornings!

6. Mocha Oatmeal

Prep Time: 3 Minutes

This mocha oatmeal is a hearty way to start the day. A simple coffee and oatmeal breakfast fills you with fuel-ready to take on the day, and it tastes great too.

Lunch or Dinner Meal Prep Ideas for College Students

7. Quinoa and Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables ($1.98 Per Serving) 

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This delicious superfood uses quinoa and roasted vegetables in a  tasty and super healthy way! It’s vegan and gluten-free, packed with delicious roasted vegetables, high in healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, while still low in saturated fats.

8. Healthy Air Fryer Turkey Burger

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Air fryer turkey burgers are my go-to for a healthy and delicious burger. They are super lean, contain minimal fat, and are perfect for low-calorie meal prep. These air fry turkey burgers are freezer-friendly, making them great to cook in batches and have later in the month. They just take 10 minutes to cook!

9. Baked Feta Pasta

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Baked feta pasta is a pasta dish made with creamy, tomato-feta cheese-based sauce. This luscious, flavorful pasta dish is easy to make, uses a handful of ingredients, and comes together in under 30 minutes!

10. Vegan Sweet Potato Chili ( $1.35 Per Serving) 

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Easy vegan sweet potato chili with whole food plant-based ingredients. A healthy meal prep option with budget-friendly and straightforward ingredients.

11. Chicken and Sausage Meal Prep Bowls

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Chicken sausage meal prep bowls are an excellent sheet tray recipe for meal prep! With minimal prep, these chicken sausage, brussels sprouts and sweet potato bowls can be a quick and easy hot lunch meal prep for the whole week on a few sheet trays in the oven.

12. Vegan Lasagna Soup

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This vegan lasagna is packed with Italian flavors; this deconstructed lasagna can be made in less than 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a warm meal on those colder days.

13. Easy Beef Stroganoff

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Tender beef and a creamy mushroom gravy come together for this easy beef stroganoff we serve over buttery egg noodles. This flavorful meal uses items from your pantry; stroganoff cooks in under an hour, or you can throw it in a Crockpot before your day begins.

14. Mediterranean Bean Salad

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This Mediterranean bean salad recipe uses savory herbs, tangy lemon, and fresh vegetables to brighten up the flavor of canned butter beans and feta cheese!

15. Green Lentil Daal

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This green lentil daal recipe is Indian-inspired and packed full of tasty spices. It’s ready in less than 45 minutes, made in one pot, and perfect for meal prep and freezer meals. It also happens to be vegan, so it’s ideal for your meat-free Monday!

16. Aloo Matar

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This is a simple Potato and Pea curry that requires basic spices that can be found in any supermarket. It is a delicious curry that is ready quicker and cheaper than ordering a takeaway.

17. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Quick and easy Mediterranean chickpea salad is made with bell peppers, crisp, cool cucumber, and creamy feta, making for a fast, healthy lunch and side for meal prep.

It’s highly nutritious, rich in protein and fiber, and is gluten-free! Skip the feta cheese and use some avocado to make it vegan.

18. Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (Gluten-Free)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

An easy keto cauliflower mac and cheese recipe with just 5 ingredients + 5 minutes prep time! Rich, cheesy low-carb mac and cheese will satisfy your cravings for macaroni.

19. Thai Peanut Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

These tasty Thai peanut chicken meal prep bowls include a layer of simple sesame noodles topped with quickly sautéed chicken, fresh and crunchy slaw and some peanut sauce for dipping. A delicious, grab-and-go meal!

20. Vegan Burrito Bowls

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

These vegan burrito bowls are a healthy Mexican-inspired dinner or lunch containing all the best bits of a burrito in bowl form!

21. Cold Sesame Noodles (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Nut-Free, Soy-Free)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Super simple, easy, and delicious sesame noodles made with wholesome ingredients that fit into a wide range of different health diets.

22. Shredded Chicken Tacos

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Deliciously seasoned and moist shredded chicken tacos are super easy to make! No special equipment is needed to make this chicken for tacos recipe – we’re making it right on the stovetop.

23. Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

You aren’t going to believe how insanely simple it is to prepare this delicious Greek chicken recipe for meals all week long. This meal prep bowl is so good; you’ll never get bored!

24. 20-Minute Chicken and Rice

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This meal prep chicken and rice dish is bursting with flavor! Made with zesty Jerk seasoning, this 20-minute recipe makes it easy to spice up your weekly chicken and rice meal prep routine. Meal prep helps you save time and money while still enjoying what you eat.

25. Easy Edamame Salad

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Not only is this protein-packed salad inexpensive and easy to throw together, but the edamame (a.k.a. soy beans) is also a complete protein providing all of our essential amino acids.

26. Spicy Sesame Tofu Stir-fry

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This spicy sesame tofu stir fry is a healthier homemade version of a popular Chinese restaurant take-out. Lightly pan-fried crispy tofu bites tossed with crunchy snow peas, tender mushrooms, and nutty sesame seeds – all coated in a sweet soy glaze with a punch of heat! It is hearty and delicious comfort food that only takes 30 minutes to make and uses one pan.

27. Udon Noodle Soup

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This Japanese udon noodle soup recipe features an easy udon soup base that you can make in minutes—light, tasty and perfect as a quick lunch or dinner meal prep.

28. Bulgarian Moussaka with Lentils

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Easy Bulgarian vegetarian moussaka made with saucy tomato lentils, potatoes, and a savory egg custard that melts in your mouth! This tasty meal prep meal comes together in just 1 hour!

29. Eggplant Lentil Curry

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This Eggplant lentil curry comes together in around 30 minutes, and it will be your new favorite weeknight dinner! It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor and plant-based protein.

Instant Pot or Crockpot Meal Prep Ideas for College Students

30. Crockpot Glazed Chicken Teriyaki ($1.56 Per Serving)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This easy crockpot chicken teriyaki is a healthier twist on a traditional teriyaki sauce so that you can enjoy a guilt-free pleasure. The chicken is slow-cooked until tender and lets all teriyaki stock infuse into the meat. It pairs well with green veggies and rice, giving you another healthy meal prep idea.

31. Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili ($1.61 Per Serving)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This delicious slow-cooked chipotle bean chili is so easy to make! All you need is a handful of ingredients and 5 minutes to prep. It’s high in protein, vegan, low in calories, and perfect for cooking in a big batch and meal prepping, costing just $1.61 per serving.

32. Slow Cooker Bolognese ($1.65 Per Serving)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

This slow cooker bolognese is perfect for getting started in the morning, taking just 5 minutes to prep. It’s high in protein, great for meal prepping, and is dirt cheap, costing just $1.65 per portion.

33. Slow Cooker Carnitas and Rice (Less Than $1 Per Serving)

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This is one of the cheapest meals we have ever made that is still packed with calories, nutrition, etc. The cost per serving comes out at under $1 per serving, including the protein and carbs!

34. Slow Cooker Chicken Breast with Gravy

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

This slow cooker chicken breast is simmered in a flavorful garlic and herb gravy until tender. Serve your crockpot chicken breasts over mashed potatoes for a comfort food meal.

35. Instant Pot Chicken Tenders

Prep Time: 2 Minutes

Instant Pot chicken tenders are prepped in as little as two minutes. Juicy and plump, these chicken tenders are great as a main entree, on top of a salad or on a sandwich!

36. Keto Pulled Chicken

Prep Time: 2 Minutes

Pulled chicken is easily made in the instant pot and needs just 4 ingredients. Make a batch and use this juicy shredded chicken for meals all week long.

37. Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This is an easy and delicious slow cooker recipe. It can be thrown together quickly and will last you all week! Get that amazing taste of chicken carnitas on a budget.

Snack Meal Prep Ideas for College Students

38. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Made with only 3 ingredients, these peanut butter oatmeal balls are the perfect start to your morning. These energy bites are packed with nutrients and can be whipped up in 5 minutes!

39. Vegan Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Soft and chewy, these vegan applesauce chocolate chips oatmeal cookies are a great wholesome treat to have around! Easy to make, and are ready in 20 minutes. They are naturally gluten-free and oil-free too.

40. Sweetcorn Fritters

Prep Time: 6 Minutes

Make these sweetcorn fritters your new go-to recipe with ingredients you’ll always find in your kitchen. They’re vegan-friendly, too!

41. Avocado Tuna Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

This avocado tuna salad is loaded with chunks of tuna, avocado and colorful veggies for a fresh and lighter take on the classic dish!

Richmond Howard

Richmond Howard started Meal Prepify in 2019 and has helped over a million people learn how to meal prep, get better at meal planning, and create a kitchen they love to use. He’s an avid home chef and loves to bbq, grill out, and make awesome food for family and friends. He’s been featured on MSN, Renaissance Periodization, and Good Financial Cents.

Related posts:

  1. 28 Healthy Low-Calorie Lunch Meal Prep Ideas (under 400 calories per serving)
  2. 45 Healthy Asian Meal Prep Ideas (less than $3 per serving)
  3. 21 Delicious Lazy Meal Prep Ideas That Are Under 5 Minutes Prep
  4. 42 Healthy Mexican Meal Prep Recipes (all under $3 per serving)
  5. 54 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for Weight Loss (All less than $3 per serving!)

Filed Under: Cheap Recipes, Meal Prep Recipes

Primary Sidebar

Looking for something specific? Search here!

Most Popular Posts of All-Time

Slow Cooker Carnitas and Rice (less than $1 per serving)

40 Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas to Kickstart your Day

30 Amazing Salad Meal Prep Ideas to Lose Weight and Eat Healthy

How to Make Overnight Oats + 30 Amazing Overnight Oats Recipes

50 Easy Keto Breakfast Ideas to Lose Weight

32 Recipes with Roasted Vegetables to Eat Healthy

Footer

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Get in Touch with Us at Mealprepify
  • Privacy Policy
  • Meal Prepify Accessibility Statement
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Terms of Service

Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates

Get in Touch

Email: Rich @ mealprepify.com

 

  • How to Meal Prep Guide
  • 75 Dirt-Cheap Crockpot Recipes
  • 54 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas
  • 50 Easy Keto Breakfast Ideas
  • 40 Protein Shake Recipes
  • 30 Amazing Overnight Oats Recipes
  • 40 Easy One Pot Meals

Copyright © 2022 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in