3 easy dishes for college students

College students are away from home for the first time, and just learning to cook. And this at a time in their lives when they are attending classes, studying, working, and trying to have a social life as well. Not to mention that every penny needs to be saved for books, or was that drinks with the guys? Either way, here are three easy, fast, and inexpensive recipes college students will love: Beef and veggies on noodles, Tuna noodle casserole, and Fast can for one.

BEEF AND VEGGIES ON NOODLES (makes 1 serving)

This recipe is fast and easy. It is also fairly healthy in that you get three of the four food groups in the meal. It is also easy to make more servings.

1 small can of beef vegetable soup

1 cup or package of favorite noodles (macaroni, spaghetti, ramen noodles, etc.)

1 tsp vegetable oil

Step 1. Fill a 2 quart pot about half full, put on the stove on high, and bring the water to a boil.

Step 2. Add 1 cup or package of noodles to the water, along with the oil.

Step 3. Stir to keep the noodles from sticking to each other or the pot, and reduce heat to medium when it starts to boil again.

Step 4. In a second small pot, empty the can of soup, and put on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally so it won't stick and burn.

Step 5. When the noodles are soft enough (use a spoon to get one and eat it to check), drain the water off the noodles into the sink using a colander or strainer.

Step 6. Put the noodles on your plate, and pour the hot soup over top.

NOTE: Use large can of soup and 1 cup of noodles per person for additional servings.

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE (serves 4+)

Everyone has had this dish before, haven't they? Cooking and then baking the noodles makes them extra tender. Again this is a balanced meal that won't break the bank. And there are lots of leftovers!

1 package of instant macaroni and cheese

1 can of tuna

1 cup of your favorite vegetables (corn or peas do best)

2 tbsp butter

shredded cheese and bread crumbs (optional)

Step 1. Boil water, and add noodles as with the BEEF AND VEGGIES recipe.

Step 2. Drain the noodles before they are too soft. Leave some water on the noodles.

Step 3. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 4. Add butter, and cheese powder, and can of tuna. Before adding tuna, flake it with the fork so it will be evenly spread through the casserole

Step 5. Put the vegetables in the bottom of a casserole dish, with the cooked macaroni on top.

Step 6. If you have shredded cheese add it, and then the bread crumbs on top.

Step 7. Put in the oven to bake for 30-45 minutes.

NOTE: Some people enjoy adding diced tomatoes to this recipe. To do that, replace your vegetables with the tomatoes.

FAST CAN FOR 1 (serves 1)

You will be surprised to find out that a can of Beefaroni has 20 grams of protein in it! Add that to the vegetables, and this meal is healthier than you thought. By the time you start spicing it up, you'll forget it came from a can!

1 can Chef-boy-r-dee beefaroni (or other variety)

1/2 cup frozen vegetables such as peas, corn, carrots, etc.

spices to taste

Step 1. Empty the can into a pot, and add the vegetables.

Step 2. Cook over medium heat stirring once in a while.

Step 3. Add spices to taste.

NOTE: A common variation of this recipe is to use garlic chili hot sauce to spice up the noodles.

Learn more about this author, David B Hitchcock.
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