Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash
College Students vs. Cooking
Making meals does not have to be complicated. As college students approach an age where they grow more and more independent, it eventually becomes necessary to learn how to cook. With this, a lot of factors make this task daunting- time, money, energy, prioritization, and forbidden dishes. It is possible to make delicious, healthy, and satiating meals that are affordable, quick, beginner friendly and don’t require many dishes. Here is a beginner’s guide to cooking.
First Things First
As college students grow more and more independent, the daunting task of learning how to cook arises. Humans require carbs, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals for consistent energy levels and proper fuel for our cells. By starting with a plan, one can properly see the bigger picture of how to meet their own individual needs, how much it will cost them, etc. Start planning by asking some questions:
- What do I enjoy eating?
- How much time can I set aside for cooking?
- How much energy do I need for a typical day?
- What are my nutritional goals?
- What is my budget?
With these things in mind, one can get a better idea for what to put on their grocery list for the week. Here is a blueprint to help get started:
Produce
Dairy
Meat
Miscellaneous
4 favorite vegetables (potatoes, carrots, arugula, mushrooms)
3 favorite fruits (strawberries, pineapple, mango)
onion/garlic for flavor
Milk
Cheese
Butter
Eggs
Ground meat of choice
Chicken breast
Bone broth
Canned tomatoes
Sourdough bread
Coconut milk
Lime juice
Rice
All of these groceries will roughly cost $70 and provide enough food for the week. There is nuance to this because of a vast difference in lifestyles among people. Make minor adjustments to your grocery list each week based on what you like and dislike.
Let's Get Cooking!
*All recipe links are embedded in the description of each dish*
Cottage Pie
Despite it taking about an hour to make it, cottage pie is a staple for beginner cooks. It is just like shepherd’s pie except that ground lamb is replaced with ground beef (or any ground meat of preference). This recipe is hearty, nutrient dense, and yields about eight servings. Additionally, cottage pie has a lot of room for experimentation with different ingredients. For example, the recipe recommends celery, peas, carrots, and corn. If this combination seems distasteful, mix it up. The corn and peas can be replaced with mushrooms and green beans- or omit one of the vegetables entirely.
Shakshuka
Image sourced from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3799980930017963/
Shakshuka is a North African dish of eggs that are poached in a cozy tomato stew base that can be enjoyed for any meal. Taking no longer than thirty minutes, it requires minimal dishes, making the cleanup process brief. The flavor profile consists of warm spices, hints of acidity from the tomato base and fresh herbs. It can be eaten alone or paired with a toasted piece of sourdough. Moreover, this meal sources protein and healthy fats from eggs and is packed with vitamins and minerals from the tomato stew.
Coconut Lime Chicken
Coconut lime chicken is a fresh and citrussy meal that takes no longer than thirty minutes. The process is as easy as seasoning chicken, cooking it, making a sauce with a few ingredients, warming it up in the same pan as the chicken and serving. It pairs wonderfully with jasmine rice and is packed with protein, healthy fats, fresh herbs, and carbohydrates. It is a very satiating and flavorful meal, but does not leave the stomach feeling heavy.
Image sourced from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5066618329854240/
Annabelle Janke
Student Writer - Spring 2025
