10 Awesome College Cookbooks for Students

Who says you can’t eat well in college? There are plenty of meals you can make right in your dorm room or apartment kitchen. All you need is a trusty cookbook. Check out these seven great cookbooks that would work perfectly for college students.

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1. 250 Best Meals in a Mug: Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes

A cookbook titled "250 Best Meals in a Mug." Click to view its Amazon page.

If you have a microwave in your dorm room (and a mug on hand), this book, 250 Best Meals in a Mug, is for you! You’re most likely eating solo, so a mug is the perfect serving size for your meal. Some of the recipes include Red Beans and Barley, Mug Frittata, Apple Pancake Puff, Creamy Tomato Soup, Poached Egg, and Ham and Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole.

2. Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day

"Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day" by Leanne Brown. Click to view its Amazon page.

A problem college students often run into involves money. And eating well doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to check out Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day. It’s available in paperback and on Kindle. Some of the recipes the cookbook includes are Egg Sandwiches with Mushroom Hash, French Onion Soup, Roast Chicken, and Savory Summer Cobbler.

3. Recipes Every College Student Should Know

A cookbook titled "Recipes Every College Student Should Know." Click to view its Amazon page.Part of the Stuff You Should Know series, the Recipes Every College Student Should Know is specifically designed for you! The book contains recipes for salads, smoothies, pasta, cakes, and more as well as tips for healthy eating and budgeting. Available on Kindle, you can also get it on Hardcover if you prefer.

4. Cooking Comically: Recipes So Easy You’ll Actually Make Them

"Cooking Comically: Recipes So Easy You'll Actually Make Them" cookbook. Click to view its Amazon page.Think cooking could be a little more interesting? With Cooking Comically: Recipes So Easy You’ll Actually Make Them, you can have the enjoyment of reading comics while learning recipes. The recipes are certainly creative, mixed with real photos and drawings. You’ll find the directions for pancakes, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and more.

5. College Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends

A cookbook titled "College Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends." Click to view its Amazon page.You don’t have a lot of time for cooking in college, and the writers of this book absolutely understand that. College Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends covers the basics of cooking and contains a number of recipes including Baked Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage, Brownie Bites, Tortilla Soup, and more. It’s also available on paperback or Kindle.

6. The Everything College Cookbook

A cookbook titled "The Everything College Cookbook." Click to view its Amazon page.

Cooking shouldn’t be stressful, and from easy treats to microwaved meals to desserts, The Everything College Cookbook contains just about every meal you could need for a well balanced and delicious meal plan. Free if you have Kindle Unlimited, it also can be purchased in a paperback version. Some recipes you’ll want to check out are Pesto Pizza, Broiled Potato Skins, Simple Shrimp Tempura, and many others.

7. The Healthy College Cookbook

A cookbook titled "The Healthy College Cookbook." Click to view its Amazon page.Thanks to The Healthy College Cookbook, you can ditch the ramen and the regular take out deliveries. Available on either the Kindle or paperback, this one contains over 300 recipes that cover every meal and snack. They’re cheap, quick, and easy; just what you need during a busy college week!

8. 5-Ingredient College Cookbook

books for college students The 5 Ingredient College CookbookWhen it comes to college, you’re going to be limited on space. In your dorm room and in your refrigerator. The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook: Recipes to Survive the Next Four Years has over 100 recipes that take 30 minutes or less to make – and of course, only 5 ingredients. It even has some advice for cooking if you’re new to it!

9. The One-Pan College Cookbook

The One-Pan College Cookbook is another great option if you’re limited on space or hate doing the dishes. There are 80 recipes in the book, but it also has some excellent advice for college students. Inside, readers will find budgeting tips for food and advice for setting up your kitchen area with limited space.

10. College Cooking for One

When you’re in college, you likely will be cooking for yourself only. College Cooking for One helps students stretch the budget and reduce waste while also eating healthy meals. It has 75 recipes that use minimal kitchen tools and appliances accessible to college students. You’ll find recipes for snacks, lunches, soups, pasta, rice, salads, and more.

Eating healthy in college will help ensure you have the energy to get through each semester. These books can be amazing resources to let you achieve just that and help you keep your food budget low. Which will you be trying first?

Eating on campus and even cooking your own food can be expensive. Did you know there are scholarships that can be put towards more than just your tuition? Start searching for scholarships you qualify for using our Scholarship Search Tool!

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