Your new apartment is finally unpacked and you’ve managed to find homes for all those obscure kitchen appliances your mom swore you’d need. The next challenge is using them to make simple and delicious meals. That’s where we’ve got you covered. Moving into your first apartment is the perfect time to learn some simple beginner recipes that will quickly become old favorites. Don’t worry, you won’t need to feed your own sourdough starter or hand-churn your own butter every day, but now’s the time to start building your personal recipe collection.
We’ve compiled six staple recipes in five different meal categories — breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks. Of course, most of these recipes can be enjoyed at any time (breakfast for dinner?) or for any occasion, so have fun with it! Break out those baking sheets, unpack your utensils, and enjoy your very own kitchen.
Breakfast
1. Crepes
It’s easy to be intimidated by crepes, but they’re actually pretty simple once you give them a try. Crepes can be sweet or savory, so play around with fillings and toppings.
Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
When did store-bought granola get so expensive? Not only is this recipe delicious, crunchy, and perfect with milk or ice cream, it’s also customizable (plus way cheaper than any store-bought stuff). A must-have in every pantry.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up
Admittedly, it’s taken me a while to hop on the overnight oats train, but I just can’t argue with how quick and easy this recipe is. Try out your favorite toppings and mix-ins.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
These egg muffins are perfect for days when you need protein on-the-go. Make them ahead of time to freeze and refrigerate for easy storage, or eat them fresh out of the pan — they’re fantastic either way!
Meal Prep | Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Sure, we’ve all put peanut butter on our pancakes, but what about in the batter itself? Try this protein-packed recipe for a breakfast that doubles as a great midnight snack.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
6. Banana Bread
Every kitchen needs its go-to banana bread recipe, and you’ll be glad you found this one. Save your spotted bananas in the freezer, and turn them into muffins or a delicious loaf.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-FriendlyLunch
Tacos are one of my personal favorite lunches and one of the easiest dishes to make in advance and enjoy all week. Give this recipe a try for a simple, flavorful, meal prep option.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Can’t go wrong with the classics! Tuna salad makes a great tortilla wrap, sandwich, or dip for chips and veggies.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
If you’re on the lookout for alternative protein, chickpeas are the way to go. This recipe teaches you how to season and mix canned chickpeas into a light and healthy sandwich.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
10. Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is one of the quickest (and most craveable) meals out there. Once you’ve tried this recipe, all that's left is to decide whether or not you’re going to heat up some tomato soup as a side dish.
Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Chicken empanadas require a little more hands-on work to prep, but they’re well worth it. Try making a double batch at the beginning of the week and keep them in your freezer for a midday pick-me-up.
Meal Prep | Freezer-Friendly
12. Pad Thai
This is another lunch with hundreds of opportunities for customization. If you haven’t had a chance to try this pad Thai recipe on your own, you’re missing out.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Dinner
Don’t be intimidated by cooking salmon; this dinner comes together in just a few minutes and is perfect for date night, a high-protein meal prep, or anything in between.
Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
The childhood nostalgia is strong with this one. Learn to make the beloved alfredo sauce from scratch, and save the jar of Prego pasta sauce for next time.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
15. One-Pan Baked Chicken Fajitas
A healthy, easily-customizable, single-pan baked fajita recipe? Move over, Taco Tuesday — Fajita Friday sounds more my speed.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
16. Filet Mignon with Mushroom Sauce
With tender steak and a creamy mushroom sauce, this recipe is sure to impress. It’s always good to have an upscale dinner idea in your back pocket, and this one is easy to pull off.
Freezer-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
After a long day at class and work, this soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. This dish also gets points for being one of the easiest meal prep recipes I’ve tried.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less)
18. Curry
Learn to create your own twist on an Indian Masala curry with either fresh or frozen vegetables — a healthy, flavorful meal that’s easy to alter for any dietary preference.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Freezer-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Dessert
19. Scotcheroo Bars
Rice Krispies just got an upgrade with these Scotcheroo Bars. Soft, marshmallow-y, and drizzled with chocolate; what more could you ask for?
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Freezer-Friendly | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
20. Gooey Brownies
Everyone needs a go-to brownie recipe, and we’ve got you covered with this gooey, chocolatey masterpiece.
Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
21. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
These red velvet crinkle cookies have only four ingredients, take less than 15 minutes to make, and are a must for any holiday cookie swap.
Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Want to try out a dessert recipe that’s a little more upscale, but still totally doable? These cinnamon chai cupcakes are perfect — light, fluffy, spicy, and sweet, all in one.
Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly
23. Dessert Pancakes
Dessert pancakes. Need I say more?
Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
24. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a fan favorite, and for good reason. Pro tip: make extra dough, and freeze it to cure those late-night cookie cravings.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Snack
Homemade energy balls are a lifesaver for any student on-the-go. These have a great balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition and are super quick to throw together, making them the perfect addition to a meal prep afternoon.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Ditch the greasy microwave popcorn, and take your movie nights up a notch with garlic parmesan popcorn. Still microwave friendly, but with unbelievable flavor. (If the local theater would let me bring in my own snacks, I’d bring a bucket of this stuff with me.)
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
27. Brown Sugar Toasted Pecans
Toasting pecans is way easier than you might think, and yields a stunning and delicious result. Try these pecans sprinkled on top of your cinnamon chai cupcakes, or crushed in with your chocolate chip cookies.
Meal Prep | Freezer-Friendly | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less)
No college recipe roundup is complete without nachos. They're cheesy, crunchy, salty, and a requirement for any stay-at-home self-care evening.
Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
Sure, tortilla chips are easy to find at the store, but they’re just as easy to make at home. Give this recipe a try and impress your friends with homemade chips — it’s someone else’s turn to bring the guac.
Meal Prep | Budget-Friendly | Easy Clean-Up | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)
30. Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
Breakfast, dessert, snack, or all of the above, this fruit smoothie is one you’ll want to make over and over once you give it a try. It’s also easy to customize with your favorite fruits.
Easy Clean-Up | Freezer-Friendly | Low Maintenance (5 Ingredients Or Less) | Timely (30 Minutes Or Less)