Savings 101: Cheap Cooking on a Student’s Budget

Anybody who has been a student or on a restrictive budget knows how difficult it is to get the nourishment you need without spending a lot of money. However, it’s far from impossible. Researching  coupons on sites such as Coupon Cravings before shopping and knowing a few simple recipes will get you a long way! Below you’ll find three fast, tasty, and inexpensive meals that anyone can prepare: Cream Soup, Mac of the Sea, and Ramen Noodle Goulash.

Cream Soup

Everybody loves a cheap, filling meal, and this University of Kentucky School of Agriculture recipe for Cream Soup is just one of those:

To prepare, stir the above ingredients into a dry mix. Then, combine 1/3 cup of mix with 1-1/4 cups of water in a saucepan until the blend thickens. What’s more, the dry mix can be stored away for months, and the soup itself can be supplemented with cheese, broccoli, chicken, and more!

Mac of the Sea

College students are acquainted with their microwave-friendly compatriot, Easy Mac. This Rasmussen College page has recipes for dozens of Easy Mac-related dishes, notably among tem: Mac of the Sea. All you need is:

Prepare the Easy Mac as directed, and drain the tuna while you wait. Once the macaroni is ready, stir in the tuna and celery salt, and you’re ready! Best of all, tuna is a great way to get your daily value of protein for cheap!

Ramen Noodle Goulash

If you need to feed a family, there are few ways to get a more nourishing meal for less than this recipe from the Laughlin Air Force Base. To make, you’ll need:

After you get these ingredients assembled, brown the beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Add the noodles, vegetables, and water (as well as any flavor packets) to the pan and simmer until the noodles are soft. This meal serves about four and only costs $1.57 per serving!

Eating on a budget doesn’t need to be boring! Try one of the above recipes or experiment with the ingredients in your fridge for big savings without a budget-bland taste.