If you’re in college right now, then you know it can be a real struggle to keep up with everything. These super healthy college meals will help you prepare for the week ahead!
Classes, work, studying… how is anyone supposed to eat healthy food on top of all of that?
I know it seems impossible, but there are some genuinely delicious, affordable, healthy recipes you can rely on week to week. In this list, we’re covering twenty-seven of my favorites.
Pick a few for the week ahead, try them out, and feed that brain of yours the nutrients it needs to keep going!
1. Burger in a Bowl
Source: allnutritious.com
First up, one of my go-to dinners when all I want is some takeout. While takeout can be great as an occasional treat, it’s important to find healthier ways to enjoy those flavors.
This burger in a bowl tastes like a Big Mac that grew up and got a degree. Delicious, healthy, and just as quick to make as heading to your local McDonald’s.
You’ll also want to see these other high protein lunch bowls!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 360
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 5.5g
• Sugar: 7.7g
2. Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Source: allnutritious.com
If you haven’t already tried stuffed peppers, then you’re in for a treat. This is a stuffed pepper casserole that packs a flavorful punch. Not to mention, it’s full of nutrients your body will love.
The ingredients are super affordable, and you can vary them according to what you have in your fridge at the moment.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 386
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 3.3g
• Sugar: 4.6g
3. Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Source: allnutritious.com
Protein is brain food, and that means your diet should include as much natural protein as you can muster! This vegetarian high-protein meal takes no time to make, and it’s super affordable.
But best of all, this is insanely tasty. The rich sweet potatoes and spiced black beans will probably bring your roommates running, so be prepared to fight off some hungry friends.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 479
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 67g
• Fiber: 20g
• Sugar: 11g
4. Greek Chicken Bowls
Source: allnutritious.com
Greek food is well-known for using a ton of whole ingredients, which makes it one of the healthiest cuisines to pull from. Not to mention, Greek food tastes out of this world.
Combined, these two qualities make these Greek chicken bowls perfect for the average college student.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 659
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 61g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fiber: 4.4g
• Sugar: 8.5g
5. Sausage and Spinach Breakfast Casserole
Source: allnutritious.com
It’s tough to find enough time to make a healthy breakfast every morning, especially if you have early lectures. That’s why I love this sausage and spinach breakfast casserole.
Packed with everything you need to get you through your day, this comes together in half an hour. Best of all, you can make it ahead of time and reheat a slice every morning.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 407
• Fats: 31g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 8.1g
• Fiber: 1.9g
• Sugar: 4g
6. Chicken Mozzarella Bake
Source: allnutritious.com
Can you tell that I like bakes and casseroles? They’re one of the best ways to make a few days’ worth of food without spending hours in the kitchen. They’re also super healthy with the right ingredients.
This is a juicy, cheesy bake that uses chicken as the main protein. Grab a pack of chicken on sale, freeze it, and make this whenever it strikes your fancy.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 359
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 50g
• Carbs: 6.2g
• Fiber: 1.3g
• Sugar: 2.1g
7. Italian Chickpea Salad
Source: keepingitsimpleitalian.com
Canned foods are a great resource when you’re living on a budget, and they can be a source of some pretty healthy ingredients! This Italian chickpea salad is the perfect thing to take for lunch.
This salad meal prep comes together in mere minutes, and it’s amazing with a slice of sourdough.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 484
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 62g
• Fiber: 17g
• Sugar: 12g
8. Healthy Sloppy Joes
Source: thedizzycook.com
Let’s face it, sometimes you’re going to need some comfort food. College is stressful, after all! But who says that those comfort dishes can’t be good for you at the same time?
This healthy sloppy joe recipe is another one that will have your roommates sprinting for the kitchen (so you might want to whip up a big batch).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 334
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 21g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
9. Avocado Salad
Source: homemadeheather.com
Avocadoes are a great source of high-quality fats and necessary nutrients, and they’re super versatile. You can make guacamole, sandwiches, salads, and even desserts with the stuff.
This salad is a super easy one to make at home, especially if you need a study snack to keep you going.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 228
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 9g
• Sugar: 5g
10. Tuna and Cannellini Bean Salad
Source: christinascucina.com
Here’s another homage to the quality of canned food! Tuna and cannellini beans blend with olives, carrots, and a light dressing to create the perfect brain food salad.
This comes together in ten minutes or less and costs just a few dollars to make, so it’s great as a meal prep side dish or dinner.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 363
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 23g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 3g
11. Taco Salad in a Jar
Source: bobbiskozykitchen.com
If you’ve been anywhere near Pinterest in the past decade or so, then you’ve probably seen the ‘salad in a jar’ trend. But that’s got nothing on this taco salad version!
Packed with protein and nutrients, this is a great way to have Mexican food on tap without spending hours in the kitchen.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 880
• Fats: 77g
• Protein: 31g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 10g
• Sugar: 5g
12. Egg Roll in a Bowl Meal Prep
Source: onecleverchef.com
Egg rolls are a college go-to, especially if you need something quick in the middle of a study sprint. But let’s face it, egg rolls aren’t very filling, at the end of the day!
This egg roll in a bowl recipe lets you whip up a big batch of delicious, nutritious food that tastes like it popped out of your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 536
• Fats: 45g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
13. Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowl
Source: cravingsomethinghealthy.com
That’s right, buffalo chicken! A tangy, spicy sauce on top of shredded chicken and an assortment of fresh vegetables. This protein bowl is out of this world.
My favorite thing about this dish is how easy it is to prepare. Take ten minutes to whip it all up, drizzle with buffalo sauce, and you’re good to go.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 627
• Fats: 35g
• Protein: 46g
• Carbs: 31g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 3g
14. Peanut Butter Tortillas
Source: twohealthykitchens.com
Most of the time, figuring out budget-friendly meals to eat that also taste great requires a little bit of creativity. In this case, we’re blending a few unusual ingredients to make something amazing.
Peanut butter provides plenty of protein, strawberries add fiber and sweetness, while the whole meal tortillas make the meal extra filling. This is a ten-minute breakfast you’ll never tire of.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 314
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 11g
• Carbs: 21g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 7g
15. 5-Bean Chili
Source: scrummylane.com
Got a can of 5-bean mix and need something to do with it? This 5-bean chili is like a bowl of comfort, perfect for chilly nights in with friends.
Whether you’re preparing a week of dinners ahead of time or you’re cooking for a group, this chili is a filling, affordable choice.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 215
• Fats: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 21g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 9g
16. Veggie Fajitas
Source: happykitchen.rocks
I’m a huge fan of fajitas, but buying meat for them can occasionally get too expensive. Especially if you’re making a big portion! That’s why these veggie fajitas are a real win.
Packed with roasted peppers and fried mushrooms, these fajitas are spicy, rich, and super filling.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 269
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 24g
• Fiber: 11g
• Sugar: 8g
17. One-Pot Red Beans and Rice
Source: masalaherb.com
If you hate doing the dishes as much as I do, then this one-pot red beans and rice recipe is for you. This is a great option if you’re working with a small kitchen, too!
While the recipe calls for certain ingredients, you can easily switch them out as-needed (depending on what you have in your fridge).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 715
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 110g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6g
18. Vegan Couscous Salad
Source: happykitchen.rocks
Cous cous is pretty slept on when it comes to salad ingredients. You can prepare it in mere seconds, and it adds a lot of helpful cards and fiber to an otherwise light salad.
Pack your favorite salad ingredients into a bowl, stir in some cous cous, and top with a light dressing. It’s the perfect lunch for a long study session.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 386
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 43g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 5g
19. Cottage Cheese with Fruit
Source: thedizzycook.com
Let’s talk breakfast. Healthy breakfasts get a bad reputation as boring or flavorless, but this cottage cheese bowl is here to change all that.
This features fresh fruit and a handful of your favorite muesli or granola! If fresh berries are out of the question budget-wise, frozen berries or cheaper fruits like apples will also work well.
Check out these lazy breakfast meal prep ideas for busy mornings!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 301
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 27g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 12g
20. Quinoa Spinach Avocado Power Salad
Source: basicswithbails.com
This recipe really earns its name. This is a ‘power’ salad that covers every side of the food pyramid, packing avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, and quinoa into a single bowl.
Customize this salad to suit your budget and unique tastes. The secret is the delicious dressing, which goes with pretty much anything!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 203
• Fats: 15g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 2g
21. Open Faced Tomato Sandwich
Source: twohealthykitchens.com
Keep things simple and delicious with this open-faced tomato sandwich. Tomatoes are full of great nutrients and generally always affordable, so they’re a great staple ingredient to keep at home.
Depending on what you have at home, you can make this sandwich in a variety of different ways.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 160
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
22. Rainbow Asian Rice Salad with Shrimp
Source: cravingsomethinghealthy.com
If you’re a seafood lover, then this Asian rice salad is the perfect recipe for you! It’s called a ‘rainbow’ salad because of all the delicious vegetables packed in to every bite.
Once again, the dressing steals the show with this tasty salad! You can absolutely use frozen shrimp to make this dish more affordable.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 328
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g
23. Spicy Noodle Salad
Source: homemadeheather.com
Create a well-balanced meal that doesn’t feel like a boring salad with this spicy noodle salad recipe! You can substitute any protein of your choosing, but I particularly love tofu with this.
Not only is it easy to make, but it tastes like something out of your local takeout place (plus some fresh vegetables).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 473
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 52g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 14g
24. Cucumber Dill Chicken Salad
Source: bobbiskozykitchen.com
Give a classic chicken salad a bit of an upgrade with this super simple recipe. This salad uses cucumber, dill, and lettuce cups to transform canned chicken into a real delicacy.
I love recipes like these, because they use affordable ingredients to make delicious results.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 269
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbs: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
25. Turkey Salad
Source: twohealthykitchens.com
Speaking of which, here’s another way to make a delicious salad with an affordable protein. Turkey is so good, whether you’re having it on Thanksgiving or grabbing it from the store.
This salad can easily be made with turkey or chicken, it’s up to you!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 157
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 14g
26. Pomegranate Chicken Salad
Source: thedizzycook.com
Pomegranate is great brain food, and a great snack when enjoyed on its own. But if you’ve never tried chicken with pomegranate, then you’re missing out!
This is the perfect summer salad, ideal for fueling long study sessions.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 386
• Fats: 34g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3g
27. Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Toast
Source: basicswithbails.com
Finally, we’ve got one of my favorite dishes on this entire list. This is a super healthy breakfast featuring affordable ingredients.
While the recipe uses an air fryer, you can make this in an oven, too. Blueberries, cottage cheese, and a high-quality slice of bread all come together into a high-payoff breakfast.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 335
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 51g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 19g
There you have it! Twenty-seven super healthy college meals your brain and body will love you for. These aren’t just healthy, either. They’re affordable and take no time to make.
So, you don’t have to worry about fitting long cooking sessions in between lectures, studying, and work shifts. I hope you found a few dishes you’d like to try on this list. Let me know which ones were your favorite!