Ground turkey sometimes doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s a great alternative to ground beef, and with rising grocery prices, you can often find it cheaper than ground beef too! I keep ground turkey stashed in my freezer all the time so I can make some of my favorite recipes including hearty turkey chili and turkey taco salad. So just in case you need a little inspiration from the Budget Bytes team, we’re sharing all of our favorite Ground Turkey recipes for you to enjoy!
Let us know which one is your favorite below, and make sure to save this page so you can reference it later! ;)
One of the quickest dinners around, this Turkey Taco Skillet can be served over rice as a bowl meal, scooped up by tortilla chips, or stuffed into a tortilla for a quick burrito!
When you’re craving spaghetti and meatballs but the price of ground beef is through the roof, make these tender and delicious Turkey Meatballs! They’ll hit that craving every time.
If you’re looking for a light meal prep for workday lunches, you’ve got to give these Mediterranean Turkey Bowls a try! They come together quickly, hold up well in the fridge, and are so refreshing.
If you like a little more color and texture in your bowl of chili, make a pot of this Turkey Chili. It’s chock-full of vegetables, beans, and hearty ground turkey, making the most wonderfully cozy and filling dinner.
Change up your burger game with these Mediterranean Turkey Burgers. They’re full of colorful and flavorful ingredients and are topped with a tangy garlic dill sauce, red onion, and crunchy cucumbers.
Tender baked sweet potatoes smothered with turkey and bean chili, then topped with melty cheddar. Turkey Chili Smothered Sweet Potatoes are an easy dinner!
If fall could be represented in one dish, it would probably be these Turkey Chili Smothered Sweet Potatoes. The smoky-spicy flavor of the turkey chili pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of the sweet potatoes for a match made in heaven.
Who doesn’t love a sheet pan meal? Serve these Sheet Pan BBQ Meatballs over a bowl of rice for an easy and delicious weekday dinner with very little cleanup.
This super easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry is a delicious and versatile answer to busy weeknight dinners. Try the suggested variations to make it your own!
One of my favorite meal preps of all time, this Ground Turkey Stir Fry is incredibly versatile! Toss in any veggie you have, customize the sauce to your liking, and you can have a different meal every time.
Maple Sage Breakfast Sausage is an easy way to make your weekend breakfast a little extra special, or to meal prep your breakfast protein for the week!
You don’t even know how good breakfast sausage can be until you’ve made your own homemade Maple Sage Breakfast Sausage. And it’s easy. Impress your loved ones or house guests with this homemade sausage next weekend.
These incredibly simple Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs have been a reader favorite for years. They’re perfect as a party appetizer, or even as a main dish served with some mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce.
Hoisin Stir Fry Bowls with a rich and spicy peanut sauce are a fast answer to dinner with tons of color, texture, and flavor. Use pork, chicken, or turkey!
Stir fry bowls are always an easy go-to for lunch or dinner and these Hoisin Stir Fry Bowls are no exception. Make them for your weekday lunches and you won’t be tempted to order out!
The Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep that you can put together in about 30 minutes with minimal cooking, chopping, and nothing to pack on the side. Lunch can be easy and tasty!
Have we mentioned that ground turkey is great for meal prep? 😅 It’s perfect for a classic Burrito Bowl, whether you want to go simple or dress it up with tons of fun toppings.
These Green Chile Turkey Burgers can’t be beat for a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner. Healthy, ready in about 30 minutes, and full of southwest flavor.
These Mini Garden Turkey Loaves are packed with flavorful and nutritious shredded vegetables for a colorful and vibrant spin on the traditional meatloaf.
These cute little ground turkey loaves have been a reader favorite for years because they’re perfectly portioned, full of veggies, and freeze well for quick reheatable meals later!
We are getting close to the holiday season which means there will be plenty of potlucks, family get-togethers, and holiday parties. So if you’re looking for some simple and tasty appetizers to enjoy this season, you’re in luck! We’ve gathered over 20 Easy Appetizers that are perfect for parties and crowds. Including dips & spreads, holiday appetizers, and no bake appetizers for those who are short on time and need to whip up something quick! These budget-friendly, delicious appetizer recipes are perfect for any occasion!
You’ll definitely steal the show at your next party when you make this super fresh and colorful Cowboy Caviar! It’s an easy salsa-type salad that can be served as a chunky dip with chips and only takes 20 minutes to prep!
Of course you’ve gotta have some classic appetizers at your next event like these Baked Chicken Wings! They’re incredibly simple to make and they can be enjoyed plain or drenched in your favorite sauce.
Bruschetta is an easy and scrumptious Italian appetizer of toasted bread slices topped with garlicky tomatoes and fragrant basil. It's as easy to make as it is economical. Serve it at your next gathering and watch it disappear in minutes!
Bruschetta is a fun and tasty appetizer to serve that’s made with garlicky chopped tomatoes, a touch of balsamic vinegar, and toasted bread. It’s a great party food to impress your guests and all for under a dollar per serving. WIN!
I mean who doesn’t love a good tortilla roll up at parties? These Pizza Roll Ups are perfect as a last minute appetizer and you can get creative by adding your favorite pizza toppings!
These Chicken Lettuce Wraps are made with a saucy ground chicken mixture and drizzled with peanut lime dressing. They’re so good and the perfect way to liven up your party!
Mini bite-sized appetizers are always fun like these Mini Broccoli Cheddar Quiches! They’re perfect as a finger food for brunch gatherings or a holiday breakfast, and will definitely impress any guest!
Everyone loves a good deviled egg, but have you ever had hot deviled eggs?? These Nashville Hot Deviled Eggs are a fun twist to a classic potluck favorite recipe…and yes they’re seriously hot!
Buffalo Chicken Dip is always a popular appetizer at football parties and holiday gatherings. You only need a few simple ingredients to make it and its great served with chips, crackers, or even veggies!
This Sriracha Pimento Cheese Spread only requires six ingredients and comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s cheese mixed with yummy stuff that you can dip, spread, or enjoy any way you like!
If you're looking for a smash hit appetizer that's easy to make and feeds loads of people, you definitely need to try this simple recipe for unctuous Queso Fundido.
If there’s one appetizer that’s sure to bring a crowd together, it’s definitely a good cheese dip! Queso Fundido is a simple recipe made with Mexican chorizo and melted cheese and is always a hit!
This creamy, spicy crab dip is so good you'll be pushing a cracker into the corners of your serving dish to scoop up the last schmear! It comes together in three easy steps and you can serve it hot or cold.
Ten minutes is all you’ll need to make this super simple Crab Dip. It can be served hot or cold and goes great with crackers, toasted bread, chips, and raw vegetables.
If you’re looking for a really simple cheese dip, this Easy Nacho Cheese sauce only requires a few simple ingredients and is guaranteed to be smooth and delicious every time!
Pinwheels are a classic party item that everyone seems to love. These Turkey Pinwheels are easy to make and extremely versatile. So grab this basic formula then feel free to switch up the ingredient combinations!
It’s hard to resist this simple, creamy, chickpea spread. Homemade Hummus only requires a few ingredients and is easy to customize to your liking. And we promise it tastes wayyy better than store-bought hummus ;)
If you need a really quick and easy snack to make for your next get-together, Trail Mix is always a great choice. And the best part is when you make it homemade, you can mix and match the ingredients to fit your taste and your budget!
These simple, light and refreshing cucumber sandwiches are perfect to make for brunch parties, bridal and baby showers, potlucks and even work gatherings. They’re also really flexible so feel free to play around with the ingredients and make them your own.
There’s no appetizer or delicious treat that is easier than baked brie. This Easy Baked Brie with Apples is ultra rich and creamy, and definitely a treat for special occasions!
Party platters and charcuterie boards are super popular right now and for good reason. It’s a great way to sample lots of different meats, cheeses, fruit, breads, nuts, and small bites. Here we’re sharing our simple how-to guide for a very festive and show-stopping Thanksgiving Grazing Board.
This Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is a combination of savory, sweet, tart, and salty. It’s a super simple appetizer with lots of variations and it’s perfect for holiday gatherings!
Our popular Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs recipe is the perfect appetizer to add to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or Christmas gathering. They’re fun, easy to make, and make great leftovers!
Cabbage is one of the green vegetables that I loved as a kid and my mom made quite often. It was inexpensive and a quick side dish that could feed our large family. Now if you grew up mainly eating boiled cabbage like me, first, I totally understand, and second, you’ll be surprised how many more ways you can enjoy this extremely economical vegetable. From cabbage soup recipes and cabbage rolls, to cabbage stir-fries, coleslaws, and more; cabbage is a versatile and budget-friendly hero!!
Here are our top cabbage recipes we think you should try!
We’re starting things off with our super flavorful Cabbage Soup! It’s loaded with veggies and made with a simple herb-filled broth. And this recipe makes a LOT so it’s perfect to enjoy throughout the week or freeze some for later.
If you love quick stir fry recipes, this popular Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry is one to keep in your weekly rotation. It’s full of vegetables and kind of addictive…don’t say we didn’t warn you ;)
This Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet is one of my favorite go-to weeknight dinner meals. It includes sautéed or fried cabbage, smoked sausage, onion and a tangy stone ground mustard vinaigrette!
This Crunchy Cabbage Salad made with our yummy sesame ginger dressing is perfect for a quick lunch, a vegetable side dish or it works great for dinner, especially when you add some teriyaki chicken or honey sriracha tofu on top!
With just seven simple ingredients this Fried Cabbage and Noodles recipe is insanely easy to make, inexpensive, and makes a great side dish or base for a bigger meal.
Homemade coleslaw is simple to make and tastes way better than store-bought. Try this Easy Creamy Coleslaw recipe made with a simple dressing, then tossed with shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions. It’s definitely creamy crunchy heaven!
I love sheet pan meals! Especially when they’re simple and easy like this Sheet Pan Roasted Kielbasa and Cabbage Dinner. Very similar to our sausage and cabbage skillet meal, but with potatoes added for an even more filling dinner recipe!
Beef and Cabbage Soup is another delicious and surprisingly light cabbage soup recipe. It includes ground beef, cabbage, and stewed tomatoes. Perfect on a cool day or any time of the year!
Colcannon is a great budget-friendly recipe that combines two inexpensive vegetables, (potatoes and cabbage or kale) to make a super filling and delicious dish.
Wanna switch up your coleslaw recipe? Try our light, crunchy, and refreshing Apple Slaw! It’s made with sliced apples, shredded cabbage, veggies, and a creamy dressing.
I’m sure by now you know we love slow cooker recipes, so of course we had to make a Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage meal! Cabbage and sausage cooked in a slow cooker turns out tender, brothy (almost like a cabbage and sausage soup), and totally delicious.
This Cold Peanut Noodle Salad is a super simple salad recipe that comes together with just a few ingredients like red cabbage and whole wheat spaghetti and is topped with a creamy, tangy, peanut-lime dressing.
Sautéed Beef, Cabbage, and Rice is a cozy, satisfying, and budget-friendly meal without a lot of effort and fuss. It’s made with simple ingredients and its quick enough to make on those busy weeknights.
Spice up dinner tonight with these Cajun Cabbage and Noodles. It’s a simple and satisfying recipe with just the right amount of kick. And it comes together in just 30 minutes!
BBQ Beef and Cabbage is a simple skillet meal that combines beef and cabbage with a little homemade BBQ sauce and fresh cheddar cheese on top. Its flavorful, filling, and gets you a good dose of vegetables!
Check out more of our favorite recipe roundups below!
20 Sweet Potato Recipes highlighting both sweet and savory dishes including mashed and roasted sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, sweet potato fries, and more!
Friends, I think it’s time I confessed my love for sweet potatoes. If I could I would probably make a sweet potato recipe every single day. I’m not exaggerating. Not only are they fairly inexpensive and packed with nutrients, but they’re also very versatile and a popular ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. And we’ve just entered sweet potato season, so you know I’m in my happy place ;)
Today we’ve lined up all of our favorite Sweet Potato Recipes including baked sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, stuffed sweet potatoes, sweet potato soups, and more!
It only feels right to start things off with the classic Baked Sweet Potato. Baked sweet potatoes are very filling and they make a great inexpensive base for meals. You can top them with your favorite ingredients or scoop out the flesh and use it in soups, baked goods, casseroles, and more!
Speaking of soups, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make this delicious, Creamy Sweet Potato Soup. It starts with roasted sweet potatoes for extra flavor, warm spices, and a little heavy cream to finish it off. It’s luxurious, cozy, inexpensive, and perfect for soup season or any time of the year!
If there’s one thing we absolutely love at Budget Bytes its budget-friendly one skillet meals! This popular Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet is easy to make and combines spicy Mexican chorizo with the subtle sweetness of sweet potatoes for an incredible flavor-packed combination!
I mean who doesn’t love the classic, irresistible Sweet Potato Casserole? It’s the perfect side dish during the holidays and family gatherings, and can be topped with marshmallows or a decadent pecan streusel.
Tender baked sweet potatoes smothered with turkey and bean chili, then topped with melty cheddar. Turkey Chili Smothered Sweet Potatoes are an easy dinner!
Turkey Chili Smothered Sweet Potatoes are the perfect mashup between the subtle sweetness of sweet potatoes and the smoky, spicy flavor of chili. They’re a great pre-portioned meal that’s filling, delicious, and great for weekly meal prep!
Get ready to take your cornbread skills to the next level with this rich and thick Sweet Potato Cornbread! It’s slightly sweet but also has a good amount of warm, aromatic spices to keep it from being too dessert-like.
We kept things simple with these Spicy Sweet Potato Fries. They’re sweet, salty, and spicy and they’re perfect with sandwiches, wraps, or anything BBQ!
I love autumn salads! Especially ones like this Autumn Kale and Sweet Potato Salad. It includes lots of fall flavors and sturdy ingredients like hearty kale, sweet potatoes and apple which makes it perfect for meal prep. And its topped with a sweet and savory Maple Tahini dressing. So good!
If you love Mexican food and you love the combination of spicy and sweet flavors, then you’re going to love these Chorizo and Sweet Potato Enchiladas! They’re made with homemade enchilada sauce and are super simple, yet oh-so good!
Get ready to experience the magic that brown butter and maple syrup makes with these Maple Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes! Brown butter creates a nutty, caramel flavor which matches perfectly with the deep flavors of real maple syrup. A simple dish perfect for your next dinner meal.
If you’re a big taco fan like me, try switching it up this week and making these Sweet Potato Tacos with Lime Crema. It’s a simple combination of sweet potato and black bean hash then topped with an insanely delicious lime crema.
These Sweet Potato Biscuits taste like classic biscuits, but with a very subtle sweetness. They’re moist, tender, and perfect for weekend breakfast, but also great for Thanksgiving dinner.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Peanut Lime Dressing
Oven baked sweet potato fries drizzled with homemade peanut lime dressing, piled high with fresh cilantro, chopped peanuts, and a pinch of spicy red pepper.
You only need a few ingredients to make this light and satisfying Thai Coconut Curry Carrot Soup. It’s a creamy, a little sweet, a little spicy, and a lot of delicious.
These smoky Chili Roasted Sweet Potatoes come together with just four simple ingredients and are perfect as a side dish with any Southwest inspired meal.
Breakfast just got a little bit sweeter with our Sweet Potato Casserole Baked Oatmeal. It combines the flavors of classic sweet potato casserole with the beloved breakfast favorite oatmeal. A two for one combination that takes breakfast to the next level!
Looking for a really simple meal for lunch or a light dinner? These Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are the perfect choice! They’re cooked in the microwave then stuffed with massaged kale and dried cranberries in a citrusy sauce. Perfect for meal prep!
These Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes are ready to come to the rescue on busy weeknights. Give your oven the night off, because I’m sharing some of my best healthy chicken recipes that you can make in your slow cooker. Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes …
These Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes are ready to come to the rescue on busy weeknights. Give your oven the night off, because I’m sharing some of my best healthy chicken recipes that you can make in your slow cooker. Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes I’m always looking for new crock pot and slow cooker
Now that the fall semester is in full swing, it’s time to settle in and really hit the books. But don’t let food take a back seat! You need to keep yourself nourished and full of energy to make it through those classes, study sessions, and that part-time job, too. So, I’ve put together this list of the best Easy Recipes for College Students to help you get through the semester in one piece!
I know it’s easier to just stop and grab some fast food, but taking a few minutes to prepare a homemade meal can be both nutritious and therapeutic. Take the time to take care of yourself this semester!
And just as a side note, these are easy meals for college students who have access to a kitchen, even if a very limited kitchen. With all the restrictions on equipment allowed in dorm rooms, dorm room cooking is a whole different beast.
What Makes a Recipe Good for College Students?
I was a broke college student when I started this blog, so this is a category that I am very familiar with. To make the cut for this list of Easy Recipes for College Students, the recipes had to be simple (not many ingredients, no fancy equipment, and a simple preparation method). They had to strike a good balance between comfort and healthy (because let’s face it, when you’re stressed you want comfort but eating bad can make you feel worse), and they needed to make good leftovers.
Spicy Sriracha Noodles I have to start this list with the recipe that got ME through college, Sriracha Noodles. They’re faster than take-out, super delicious, and completely customizable. Throw in any vegetables you might have in the fridge, or try changing up the sauce with a little peanut butter or lime. Browse through the comments to discover all the variations readers have made over the years!
Cheesy Pinto Beans – This super simple recipe starts with a humble can of beans and turns into one of the most satisfying and comforting meals ever. It’s perfect for those late-night study seshes!
Easy Dumpling Soup – Grab a bag of frozen dumplings the next time you’re at the store because you don’t want to miss this super easy and comforting soup! It’s going to save you a TON on take-out. ;)
Curried Chickpeas with Spinach– When the autumn nights start to get a chilly bite, warm up with a hot bowl of these hearty curried chickpeas with spinach. Packed with flavor, this vegan dish is delicious and filling enough to finally bring vegetarians and carnivores together over one meal.
A simple creamy sauce infused with basil pesto makes this Creamy Pesto Mac and Cheese with spinach the ultimate comfort food WITH a dose of vegetables!
Creamy Pesto Mac with Spinach – Get your daily dose of vegetables right along with your cheesy comfort food. And the best part is that it uses frozen spinach, so you can keep it on hand to make whenever you need, without it going bad in the back of your fridge.
Coconut Curry Ramen – When all you have is 10 minutes and a BIG appetite, upgrade a simple pack of instant ramen to this hearty and flavorful curry ramen bowl. No vegetable chopping required!
Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry – Grab a bag of coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots), and this meal is insanely fast and easy to make. Better yet, it’s full of fiber and protein, so you can help curb that freshman 15. ;) (Feel free to use ground pork, turkey, or chicken in place of the Beef, if preferred.)
Bowties and Broccoli – This has been my go-to “emergency meal” for decades. Literally. There’s nothing more satisfying than pasta with a little butter and Parmesan, and I add broccoli florets to balance things out, plus a little pepper and red pepper flakes for kicks. Insanely easy and all of the ingredients can be kept on hand pretty much indefinitely, so it’s ready to go whenever you need something FAST.
Poor Man’s Burrito Bowls – We all know burrito bowls are life (thanks, Chipotle!), but they don’t have to be fancy to be super delicious or satisfying. This is my pared down, no frills, as-simple-as-it-gets version of a burrito bowl because when you’re in college, ain’t nobody got time or money for all those fancy toppings! Bonus: you can meal prep these!
Pizza Melts – Instead of ordering delivery, make an easy Pizza Melt to cure your pizza craving. You’ll get all that pizza flavor for a fraction of the price and with an easy single-serving portion size.
Pork and Peanut Dragon Noodles – The next time you’re tempted to grab take out, try this incredibly simple noodle stir fry. It will satisfy those take out cravings, but you’ll have complete control over the ingredients. Add some simple steamed greens to round out the meal!
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Ramen – You only need about 15 minutes and a few leftover vegetables from your fridge to make this insanely creamy and delicious ramen.
Pasta with Bacon and Peas – A little bacon makes everything better! This super simple pasta dish is incredibly satisfying and surprisingly high in protein. The perfect quick meal to fuel your busy days!
15-Minute Vegetable Curry – Yes, that’s right, it only takes 15 minutes to make this delicious pot of vegetable curry! No Chopping required! Serve over rice for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Savory Oatmeal – Oats aren’t just for breakfast! They make for a quick and filling meal any time of day. Add any leftovers from your fridge or top with a fried egg for an even more delicious bowl of oats.
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas – Quesadillas are the perfect snack (just ask Taco Bell). This spicy vegetarian mix of black beans, corn, onion, and cheese is 100x better than anything you’ll get at the drive-through. More flavor, more fiber, more filling, and still extremely easy. Promise.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie – When you need a quick pick me up between classes or as you’re running out the door in the morning, this quick peanut butter banana smoothie is sure to energize!
Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese – Grilled cheese is the ultimate study/comfort food. Take it up a level with some frozen spinach, a little garlic, red pepper flakes, and feta. You now have a super fancy grilled cheese AND a good dose of vegetables. WIN.
Pizzadillas – When you have a pizza craving (when do you not have a pizza craving??) but don’t have the time or energy to make a homemade pizza yourself, pizzadillas are you quick and easy answer! Plus, no delivery fee for the win!!
The Cheese Board Lunch Box – You might miss the lunchables your mom used to pack you, but you’re an adult now, so let’s do it the grown-up way! A box full of crackers, cheese, meat, and a little fruit is a light meal that no one would turn down.
Pizza Roll Ups – Make your pizza in roll-up form. It’s way faster and easier than making traditional pizza, and a LOT less expensive than ordering delivery. These are great for football parties, too!
The secret to the crunchiest, gooiest, air-fryer grilled cheese EVER is first mixing softened butter with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese and then spreading it on the outside of your bread. You can't get results like these from a pan!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese – This isn’t your momma’s grilled cheese, it’s a grilled cheese for the 21st century! A super flavorful butter-herb-Parmesan spread and the crisping action of an air fryer makes the most epic grilled cheese you’ve ever had!
Peanut Butter Banana Quesadillas – When you want a quick treat, these toasty, melty, sweet-and-savory “quesadillas” are perfect! You might even be able to get away with calling them breakfast.
Homemade Freezer Garlic Bread – Put down that box of frozen garlic bread! It’s far too easy and inexpensive to make your own! Keep this garlic bread in your freezer for whenever you get a craving. They also make a pretty killer grilled cheese sandwich, too. Talk about study fuel!
Trail Mix – The ultimate on-the-go snack! Don’t underestimate the power and convenience of a good trail mix. We’ve got four different flavor combos to try, plus plenty of other ingredient ideas so you can make your own mix!
This super easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry is a delicious and versatile answer to busy weeknight dinners. Try the suggested variations to make it your own!
Ground Turkey Stir Fry – This super simple stir fry was made for meal prep! You can add as many or as little vegetables as you want and serve it over rice, noodles, or sans-carb. It’s very flexible!
This Cottage Cheese Crab Bowl is the perfect light, fresh, and filling lunch for summer. It also meal preps well, so pack a few to take to work for lunch!
Cottage Cheese Crab Bowls – These no-cook bowls are light, fresh, and kind of like a California roll, but bowl style! Plus there are plenty of ways to customize this bowl to make it fit your taste buds.
Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad – This super easy and creamy chickpea salad is great as a sandwich or wrap, scooped up with crackers, or as a topper to a green salad, so you can eat it a different way every day of the week!
Apple Pie Overnight Oats – This is another great make-ahead breakfast option that can easily be made vegan by using almond or soy milk. You won’t believe how much this tastes like apple pie, even without ANY added sugar!!
This chunky chopped Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad is a great fresh salad that can be eaten on its own or turned into several different easy lunch ideas!
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad – This incredibly simple and filling salad holds up for days in the fridge and can be eaten alone, in a wrap, or toasted in a tortilla for a quick quesadilla!
The Hummus Lunch Box – These little no-cook Mediterranean-style snack boxes are perfect for a make-ahead lunch or a light afternoon study snack. They’re customizable, too, so make sure you click through to see all of the alternate ingredient ideas!
The Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep that you can put together in about 30 minutes with minimal cooking, chopping, and nothing to pack on the side. Lunch can be easy and tasty!
Easiest Burrito Bowl Meal Prep – I never get tired of burrito bowls, and thankfully they are just made for meal prepping. You can make a few for the week ahead, or stash them in the freezer for longer storage. Either way, it’s just a quick reheat to total burrito bowl bliss.
Tuna and White Bean Salad – Tons of protein and fiber to keep you full and fueled through a long day of classes! Pack it up with some crackers for dipping, or stuff it into a tortilla to make a wrap, and you’re set. Oh, and NO MAYO. ;)
Curried Tofu Salad – Super simple prep, and it holds up in the fridge for days! You can serve it over a bed of greens as a salad, or make it a wrap by stuffing it into a tortilla. So fresh and light, it won’t make you groggy in those afternoon classes. ;)
Mediterranean Tuna Salad – This light, fresh, and protein-filled salad is an easy no-cook option for your busy week or when the weather starts to heat up outside. No reheating necessary!
Also check out our Meal Prep archives for plenty of ideas for packed lunches!
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies – Cookies don’t get any easier than this! Just six simple ingredients and you’ve got the richest, most delicious cookies ever. Bonus: they’re gluten-free and dairy-free!
Chocolate Mug Cake – This is the one and only chocolate mug cake you’ll ever need. Soft, tender, not too-too sweet (but you can make it sweeter if you want), and no egg required!
Rice Krispie Treats – The ultimate no-bake treat! They’re gooey, sweet, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Plus, they keep at room temperature, which is important when you’re on the go!
Blueberry Mug Muffin – Mug cakes and mug muffins were critical to my survival in college. When I needed just a little bite of something sweet to get me through, a mug cake is the answer! So fast, so easy, so good.
Cottage cheese is whipped up into a silky smooth texture, sweetened with honey, and flavored with vanilla in this deliciously sensible dessert fruit dip.
Honey Vanilla Cottage Cheese Fruit Dip – If you’re trying to keep dessert time light, you’ve got to try this dip! It tastes like cheesecake but is super high in protein and doesn’t have tons of added sugar. It’s the perfect light treat!
Cinnamon Nut Swirl Mug Cake – One more microwave mug cake for good measure! This one is like a cinnamon roll in a cup, except WAY easier to make. It’s a must try for breakfast or dessert!
So there you have it, over 40 of our favorite Easy Recipes for College Students. What are your favorite student meals to help you get through the semester? Share in the comments below!
We’ve rounded up the best chili recipes to enjoy this season including classic homemade chili, white chicken chili recipes, and slow cooker chili recipes!
It’s chili season! Whether the temperature has started to change in your area or you’re just dreaming of cooler nights, we’re ready to cozy up to some of our favorite chili recipes from white chicken chili recipes to slow cooker chili recipes. And of course we’ve got to have allll the toppings! Let us know which chili recipe is your favorite and save this post for when you’re craving a big hearty bowl of chili this season! ;)
If there’s one chili recipe to keep in your back pocket, it’s definitely a good Classic Homemade Chili! This chili recipe is a Budget Bytes reader-favorite and can be customized in a number of ways to make it your very own.
Creamy White Chicken Chili is a thick and rich chicken and bean stew that’s made with tender chicken, beans, veggies, and a medley of southwest-inspired spices. Easy enough for any weeknight dinner meal.
This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is the perfect dump-and-go recipe. Add all of your ingredients to the bottom of the slow cooker, set your timer and when you come back you’ll have a big batch of hearty, delicious white chicken chili!
Make this Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili your own with various toppings, and take advantage of this opportunity to use up some leftover vegetables from your fridge!
If you love all things pumpkin then you’ll definitely love this Easy Pumpkin Chili recipe! The pumpkin adds a little earthiness and a subtle sweetness. The perfect recipe to switch things up!
Tender baked sweet potatoes smothered with turkey and bean chili, then topped with melty cheddar. Turkey Chili Smothered Sweet Potatoes are an easy dinner!
Turkey Chili Smothered Sweet Potatoes are the perfect mashup between the subtle sweetness of sweet potatoes and the smoky, spicy flavor of the chili. They’re a great pre-portioned meal that’s filling, delicious, and great for weekly meal prep!
This chipotle chicken chili has smoky chipotle peppers, shredded chicken, and hearty beans for a meal that will fill you up and satisfy your taste buds.
If you love a good chicken chili then you definitely have to try this Chipotle Chicken Chili! It brings in lots of flavor courtesy of the sweet-spicy-smokey chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
One pot recipes are just so convenient! This one pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac is not only filling and delicious, it’s also perfect for a quick & easy weeknight dinner meal!
Chili and cornbread just go together like peanut butter and jelly. This Chili Cornbread Skillet combines the best of both worlds! It has all the comfort of a pot of chili, with homemade cornbread baked right on top to avoid excess dishes…WIN!
These 14 healthy cottage cheese recipes are easy to make that are high in protein and are super good for you. Cottage Cheese Recipes Cottage cheese is an underrated ingredient. Most people don’t realize how delicious it is or how many ways you can use …
These 14 healthy cottage cheese recipes are easy to make that are high in protein and are super good for you. Cottage Cheese Recipes Cottage cheese is an underrated ingredient. Most people don’t realize how delicious it is or how many ways you can use it in recipes. You can eat it plain, make cottage
20 Easy Bean Recipes that are budget-friendly and delicious including black bean recipes, pinto bean recipes, cannellini bean recipes, and kidney bean recipes.
Let’s get into some of our favorite cheap and easy bean recipes! We love beans over here at Budget Bytes because they’re inexpensive, shelf-stable, incredibly versatile, and full of fiber and other nutrients. They adapt well to different spices and flavors, creating the perfect foundation for lots of delicious bean recipes! Beans can also easily help bulk up a recipe while keeping the cost low. So whether you love black beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans, or a combination of ALL the beans, we’ve rounded up several easy bean recipes we’re sure you’re going to love!
Prepare to fall head over heels for these hearty and super delicious Black Bean Quesadillas! This is one of those vegetarian black bean recipes that meat-eaters will also love. Promise! ;)
This super fast and easy Smoky Black Bean Soup is rich, filling, flavorful, and waiting to be piled high with fun toppings! An easy vegan weeknight dinner.
If you’re looking for a super delicious black bean dinner recipe, look no further. Our popular Black Bean and Avocado Enchiladas are filled with a simple black bean and veggie mixture, then covered with a rich homemade enchilada sauce! Yum!!
Ditch those expensive restaurant veggie burgers and make these Homemade Black Bean Burgers for dinner this week. Top with your favorite toppings and if you have leftovers, just freeze the rest for another day!
Make room for this super fresh, colorful and delicious bean salad! Cowboy Caviar is a cross between a bean salad and salsa and it’s perfect served with chips, on top of salads, inside a burrito bowl, or as a simple side dish.
And if you love black beans, be sure to try out more of our favorite Black Bean Recipes!
Though this may seem like a simple recipe, you’ll be surprised just how much flavor is packed into these Cheesy Pinto Beans! Serve with a bowl of rice and you instantly have an easy, satisfying meal.
Creamy White Chicken Chili is a thick and rich chicken and bean stew that’s made with tender chicken, beans, veggies, and a medley of southwest-inspired spices. Easy enough for any weeknight dinner meal.
If you love easy, cozy, soup recipes then I know you’ll love this super simple Pinto Bean Soup. When I first tried it, I was literally blown away by how delicious it was and yet incredibly easy to make!
These BBQ Bean Sliders topped with a homemade creamy coleslaw are a quick dinner fix when you're craving BBQ and don't have time for slow cooking meat!
These BBQ Bean Sliders are great to cook when you are craving BBQ and you don’t have the time or money to slow cook an entire pork shoulder. Just add cooked beans and spices, your favorite BBQ sauce, and our homemade creamy coleslaw, and you’ve got a quick & easy BBQ bean sandwich!
Let’s talk about this fun, hearty, and super flavorful, Taco Soup! It’s made with seasoned ground beef, lots of beans, veggies, and a generously spiced tomato broth. It’s the perfect way to get your taco fix in a big bowl of soup with ALL the toppings!
This creamy and cozy Rosemary Garlic White Bean Soup comes together with just eight simple ingredients and it’s perfect with some homemade croutons on top or a piece of crusty bread for dipping!
These Parmesan Beans are easy, delicious, and you only need seven simple ingredients! It’s a simple side dish that only takes about twenty minutes to make!
Eggs poached in a rich and smoky tomato sauce speckled with white beans, this Smoky White Bean Shakshuka is a filling and inexpensive breakfast or dinner! BudgetBytes.com
This Smoky White Bean Shakshuka is the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner recipe! It’s made up of poached eggs, cannellini beans, fresh herbs, and feta simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce.
Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, these insanely delicious Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas make an awesomely fast weeknight dinner.
White Beans with Mushrooms and Marinara is an easy one-skillet meal that uses a few simple pantry and produce ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes!
These Louisiana Style Red Beans and Rice are rich, flavorful, budget-friendly, has a TON of fiber and protein, and will have your house smelling amazing!
We’re saving you time and money with this simple Classic Three Bean Salad! It has minimal ingredients, a tangy-sweet dressing, and it’s the perfect side dish for get-togethers or busy weeknight meals.
If there’s one bean recipe to keep in your back pocket, it’s definitely a good Classic Homemade Chili recipe! This chili recipe is a budget bytes reader-favorite and can be customized in a number of ways to make it your very own.
Puerto Rican Rice and Beans is a dish with bold flavors, it's easy to prepare, and it's budget-friendly! Make it a meal with a side of ripe yellow plantain slices, or serve it as a sidekick to any protein.
Puerto Rican Style Red Beans and Rice can be a meal on its own with a side of ripe yellow plantain slices or you can serve it as a sidekick to any protein.
This Easy Minestrone Soup is warm, comforting, budget-friendly and great for meal prep! Wanna add pasta…go for it! Or just keep it simple by adding some extra beans for an even more hearty flavor.
Some might say that the meat is the most important part of any BBQ cookout, but for me…it’s all about the sides! As we approach another big grilling and potluck holiday, these 20 Easy BBQ Sides Dishes are perfect to help round out your meals. We’ve included classic BBQ sides like homemade baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and southern style potato salad. Along with some easy bbq side dishes like our creamy cucumber salad, cowboy caviar, and our classic three bean salad! You really can’t go wrong with any of these BBQ sides at your next gathering!
We’re starting things off with a very popular BBQ side dish that’s perfect for family gatherings and cookouts. Classic Southern Style Potato Salad is creamy, tangy and always a crowd favorite!
Make sure you add a good heaping serving of these homemade Baked Beans to your plate at your next BBQ cookout. They’re rich, sweet, smoky and flavored with bacon and a simple homemade BBQ sauce.
If you’ve never made your own homemade coleslaw you’re definitely missing out! We’ve got an Easy Creamy Coleslaw recipe that has a simple dressing with the perfect crunch!
You’ll definitely steal the show at this years cookout with this Cowboy Caviar! It’s an easy salsa-type salad that can be served with chips, on top of salads, or as a simple side dish.
There’s always some type of simple salad served at my family BBQs. This Cucumber Tomato Salad is the perfect choice! It’s fresh, juicy and made with a simple red wine vinaigrette.
Looking for a quick and easy way to cook corn on the cob? Look no further than Microwave Corn On The Cob! This method is foolproof and takes just minutes.
I loveee me some corn on the cob! Especially when its hot, fresh, and slathered with butter. Even better when it can be made quickly and easily like this Microwave Corn on the Cob!
If there’s one side dish that both kids and adults can agree on it’s definitely Homemade Mac and Cheese. This classic stovetop macaroni and cheese recipe is made with a classic roux-based cheese sauce that will satisfy all of your cheesy pasta cravings!
What’s better than traditional pasta salad??…one with stuffed Tortellini pasta of course! Our Tortellini Salad includes cheese tortellini mixed with summer vegetables, herbs, greens, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
This Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is a reader favorite…and for good reason! It includes a medley of colorful vegetables, an easy homemade vinaigrette, and it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand.
We’re saving you time and money with this easy Classic Three Bean Salad! It has minimal ingredients, a tangy-sweet dressing, and it’s the perfect side dish for a BBQ cookout.
Lemony Cucumber CousCous Salad is a simple, delicious salad made with just a few easy ingredients like fresh lemon and English cucumber and it stays good in the fridge for days!
For all you broccoli lovers out there, this Broccoli Pasta Salad is just for you! It features our tangy homemade tomato vinaigrette and has the perfect flavor-texture combination.
A light, fresh and colorful Summer Sweet Corn Salad is absolutely perfect to enjoy at cookouts and family gatherings. It’s also a great way to take advantage of the last few crops of fresh summer corn on the cob!
If there is one thing I absolutely love it’s definitely homemade cornbread. You can ditch the box stuff and serve this easy cornbread recipe with your favorite BBQ sides!
Well hello, my favorite dessert from childhood! Jello Salad is a classic potluck dessert that’s always fun to share at family gatherings. It’s simple, sweet, and definitely a crowd favorite ;)
Grilled vegetables have a ton of flavor making this Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad even more delicious. Serve it with some balsamic vinaigrette and it makes the perfect side dish for BBQs and cookouts!
