When I first moved into an apartment, I had no idea how to cook simple recipes and dishes. After watching multiple youtube videos and reading countless articles, I can say that my cooking skills have improved. For those who are tired of eating instant ramen and canned soups every day, give these five recipes a try! Here are my top '5 Easy Lunch Recipes for Broke Students'

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:6 mins
  • Total Time:11 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon butter
  • 2 slices cheese
  • Herbs Parsley basil rosemary spices
butter, honey, cake, pastry, grilled cheese sandwich, sweet, toast, bread
Christin Urso

  • Step 1

    Spread 1/2 tablespoons of butter on two slices of bread

  • Step 2

    Put one slice of cheese on each side

  • Step 3

    Sprinkle parsley, basil, rosemary, and other spices on each side evenly

  • Step 4

    Cook the sandwich on a pan over medium heat

  • Step 5

    Heat each side up for about 3 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve!

Fettucine Alfredo

  • Prep Time:1 min
  • Cook Time:15 mins
  • Total Time:16 mins
  • Servings:2
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • water
  • boxed noodles
  • butter
  • alfredo sauce bertolli garlic pasta sauce
  • garnishes
rice, milk, cereal
Hannah Giardina

  • Step 1

    Take a pot and fill it 1/3 with water

  • Step 2

    Wait until it boils on medium heat

  • Step 3

    Add in the noodles and stir until noodles become soft and chewy

  • Step 4

    Melt butter in a separate pan over medium heat

  • Step 5

    Add the alfredo sauce (I use the Bertolli Garlic Pasta Sauce) and stir

  • Step 6

    Once creamy and hot, mix with the noodles and add garnishes if preferred

Strawberry Caprese Salad

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:10 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • chopped strawberries
  • chopped spinach
  • chopped tomatoes
  • herbs basils mints
  • cheese
strawberry, tomato, pepper, salad, vegetable
Sofia Gonzalez

  • Step 1

    Chop up strawberries, spinach, tomatoes, and herbs (such as basils, mints)

  • Step 2

    Place herbs and cheese into a dish

  • Step 3

    Add 2-3 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar, salt, and vinegar

  • Step 4

    Mix altogether and serve

4. Chicken Tacos

Chicken Tacos

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:10 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1-2 tortillas
  • shredded lettuce/cabbage
  • carrots
  • onions
  • grilled chicken
  • jalapenos
  • lime
  • taco sauce Old El Paso
chicken, fish, tacos
Tiffany Meh

  • Step 1

    Heat up a tortilla on medium heat with olive oil and let it warm up for a couple of minutes

  • Step 2

    Turn the tortilla over until it begins to turn more yellow. Then put it on a plate.

  • Step 3

    Add shredded lettuce/cabbage, carrots, and onions to the tortilla

  • Step 4

    Add chicken slices (I usually buy baked chickens from Safeway and use this)

  • Step 5

    Garnish with jalapenos, limes, and taco sauce (I use 'Old El Paso' sauce)

Cheese Omelette

  • Prep Time:1 min
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:6 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Eggs
  • Butter
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Meat Ham
  • Chopped Onions
parsley, spinach, egg, scrambled, omelette, omelet
Josi Miller

  • Step 1

    Beat salt, pepper, and eggs into a bowl until blended

  • Step 2

    Pour it on a medium heated pan once butter has been added

  • Step 3

    Use a skillet to flip the eggs and turn the eggs

  • Step 4

    Once the eggs stop being runny, add in shredded pieces of cheese and meat

  • Step 5

    If desired, garnishes such as chopped onions complement this basic meal!

If these recipes are too easy and you want to learn a more challenging recipe, check out this article written by a fellow Spoon writer!: https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/an-easy-one-pan-dish-rosemary-lemon-chicken