XPRESS 4 IDEAS

1. Affordable Meal Ideas for College Students

College is expensive, but your dinner doesn't have to be. This article contains just ten of the hundreds of affordable meal ideas perfect for the student budget and schedule.

College is expensive, as are textbooks, rent, utilities, gas and so many more necessities. Because study time can often clash with one's job, college students are particularly prone to breaking the bank. Still, a student's gotta eat! Here are some cheap meal ideas for even the most frugal of students.

• Ramen Noodles: The days of noodles + boiling water + seasoning powder = a complete meal are over. Today's college chef can use these incredibly inexpensive packets as a base for a number of dishes. Consider adding chicken or shrimp, carrots, snap peas, and a few dashes of toasted sesame oil. Like Thai? Stir fry cooked noodles with a bit of liquid, adding peanut butter, coconut milk and veggies. While original recipe Ramen can be a bit unhealthy--particularly in terms of sodium content--you can adjust it to make it as healthy as you'd like. Visit MattFischer.com/ramen for more unique ramen recipes.
• Grilled Cheese and Soup: All you need is a can of soup, loaf of bread and a bit of cheese. Great for sick or rainy days, this simple classic is both hearty and light on the wallet.
• Frozen Meals: Frozen dinners are especially nice on lazy days or during all-day study sessions. Be warned, however, than many of these dinners contain an enormous amount of salt and fat, so shop wisely to avoid the Freshman Fifteen.
• Burritos: Few things are cheaper than tortillas, beans, rice and cheese. Add salsa, chicken or beef and any other Mexican staple you can get your hands on.
• Chicken Breasts and Veggies: Consider buying frozen chicken breasts in bulk-the savings are substantial. Whip up some canned or frozen veggies on the side, and you're set.
• Spaghetti: Spaghetti and jarred pasta sauce are both cheap and easy to make. Add some hamburger for a heartier meal.
• Cheeseburger Pie: Brown up some hamburger and stir in a bit of flour, tomato sauce, ketchup and mustard. Put in a casserole dish and top with sliced cheese and pre-made biscuit batter. Bake until the biscuits are done and voila: Cheeseburger pie! Try with different meats and sauces for a variety of new casseroles. Condensed cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup, egg noodles and chicken, for instance.
• Stir-frys: Stir-frys are fantastic because, like Ramen, they can be as healthy and diverse as you'd like. Add a few of your favorite veggies to a skillet or wok and heat up. Add some cooked chicken or beef and pour over bottled sauce or make your own with soy sauce, chicken stock and corn starch. Heat until sauce thickens and serve over rice or noodles.
• Deli Meat and Tuna: My bologna has a first name...and so does my pastrami, turkey and ham. Lunch meat is versatile, as is canned tuna. Make a sandwich or throw on top of a salad. Couldn't be simpler-or cheaper.
• Eggs: Eggs are affordable, delicious, and, in moderation, healthy. Make a breakfast burrito, stir up with some leftovers for a creative scramble or omelet, or fry up in a stir fry or fried rice. You can even stream into boiling chicken stock and add some scallions for a Chinese egg drop soup.