19 Easy Meals I Cooked in College That Are Still As Delicious Today

Back in college, meals had to be cheap, fast, and foolproof, and honestly, that’s still the vibe most nights. These recipes were lifesavers when time, money, and energy were all in short supply, and they’ve stuck around because they actually taste good. No fancy skills required, just real food that’s still just as comforting and ridiculously easy to throw together now as it was then.

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Sheet pan chicken thighs were my go-to during finals week because I could throw everything on one tray and still end up with something that tasted amazing. Juicy chicken, crispy broccoli, and barely any cleanup made it a college win that still shows up in my weeknight rotation. It’s easy, flavorful, and honestly better than most takeout.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

These ham and cheese sliders saved so many late-night study sessions and still feel just as comforting today. They come together fast with budget ingredients and always disappear the second they hit the table. That buttery topping and melty cheese combo just never gets old, no matter how many times I make them.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Alice Springs Chicken used to be my go-to “treat yourself” meal, and now it’s a weeknight regular that never disappoints. Juicy chicken gets topped with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, tangy honey mustard sauce, and a mountain of melted cheese. That flavor combo never gets old, it’s pure comfort on a plate.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Cheeseburger pie was one of the first real meals I mastered in college, and it’s still in heavy rotation for good reason. It’s got all the cheesy, beefy goodness of a burger, but baked into a golden, sliceable pie. Best of all, it uses budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken cordon bleu felt like a total upgrade from my usual meals back then, and it still feels like a treat today. Stuffing ham and Swiss cheese into a chicken breast sounds fancy but takes barely any effort, especially with that creamy sauce on top. It’s a throwback comfort food that somehow still feels impressive.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu

Steak Bites

Steak bites made me feel like a total genius in college, restaurant vibes with zero skill required. Just toss them in the air fryer, add a little garlic butter, and boom, crispy edges, juicy centers, and serious flavor. They’re still my secret weapon for a “real dinner” when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Steak Bites

Herb-Crusted Chicken

This herb-crusted chicken used to make me feel like I was winning at adulthood back in college, even if the rest of my life was a mess. It’s loaded with flavor from dried herbs and black pepper, but the prep is so simple it never once stressed me out. It’s still in my regular dinner rotation because it’s low effort, budget-friendly, and way more filling than anything I could’ve picked up on the way home.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken

Italian Beef & Cauliflower Rice Skillet

I started making this Italian beef and cauliflower rice skillet in my college apartment when I wanted something filling that didn’t trash my budget or my kitchen. The creamy tomato sauce mixed with ground beef and melty mozzarella felt like comfort food but still light enough to eat on repeat. It’s one of those one-pan wonders that tastes even better now than it did back then.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef & Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken

Stuffed chicken like this used to be my “fancy dinner” flex in college, and I still make it when I want something cozy and impressive without the work. The filling is just cream cheese, cheddar, and ranch mix, but it turns plain chicken into something crave-worthy. It’s a total comfort meal that doesn’t ask much of me in return.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

This ground beef and cabbage stir fry was my go-to when money was tight and time was tighter. It’s hearty, fast, and somehow always hits the spot even when I’m running on fumes. Years later, it still earns a spot in the dinner rotation because it just works.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet pan chicken dinners like this were how I survived long days of classes without resorting to cereal for dinner. Toss chicken and veggies on a tray, season, roast, and done, real food with real flavor, all in under 30 minutes. It’s simple, colorful, and still gets the job done with barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken

Pork Chops and Applesauce

Pork chops and applesauce were one of those classic combos I threw together in college that somehow felt fancy with almost no effort. Juicy, pan-seared chops with that sweet, cozy applesauce on top made it feel like a home-cooked dinner without needing much skill. It’s still one of my favorite easy meals that delivers real flavor and comfort with barely any ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

This slow cooker salsa chicken recipe basically got me through college, and it’s still just as handy today. Toss in chicken and a jar of salsa, and a few hours later, you’ve got tender, juicy meat perfect for rice bowls, wraps, or salads. It’s a no-brainer meal that makes dinner feel done before you even think about it.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef stir fry was my lifesaver back then, cheap, fast, and loaded with flavor. It tastes like takeout but comes together in one pan with way fewer calories and way less money. Even now, it’s one of those real dinners that somehow always impresses with barely any effort.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

Chicken broccoli alfredo casserole was one of those dishes that made me feel like I was actually adulting in college. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with enough veggies to feel halfway responsible, all in just 30 minutes. I still make it now because it hits all the comfort food cravings without requiring much time or energy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

Blackened Pork Chops

These blackened pork chops were a total college upgrade meal, easy to season, fast to cook, and seriously good. Crispy outside, juicy inside, and done in 15 minutes flat, they made them a go-to dinner when I wanted to feel like I had my act together. They’re still a staple because the flavor’s big and the effort is small.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Pork Chops

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic butter shrimp was my “wow, I can actually cook” moment in college, and that feeling hasn’t gone away. Just toss it in the oven and ten minutes later you’ve got buttery, garlicky shrimp that tastes way more expensive than it is. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something impressive without all the work.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp

Parmesan and Garlic Wings

I used to make these parmesan garlic wings for game nights in college, and they disappeared every single time. They’re crispy, buttery, and loaded with flavor, plus they’re baked, not fried, so cleanup’s a breeze. They’re still a hit today because who doesn’t love a good wing without the hassle?
Get the Recipe: Parmesan and Garlic Wings

Carne Asada with Cauliflower Rice

Carne asada over cauliflower rice was one of those accidental wins in college, no marinade, just quick seasoning and a hot pan. It’s bold, flavorful, and comes together in 15 minutes, which made it ideal when time and money were both tight. It’s still a regular because it keeps things light, fast, and totally filling.
Get the Recipe: Carne Asada with Cauliflower Rice