Recipe

A Commuter's Lunchbox: Healthier Recipes to bring on Campus

By Randi Hardy at Rutgers University

Commuting can be tough between the traffic and parking alone. Combined that with the need to find something to eat on campus that's relatively good for you and inexpensive and it can get extremely difficult. One can only eat Sbarro and Dunkin' so many times a week before you start to feel sick and, let’s face it, pizza and breakfast sandwiches aren’t the best source of energy for college students. After buying a shiny new lunchbox, I was motivated to make a few things in a week to fill it with. Here are a few easy recipes to whip up before you head out to class.

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 7 mins
  • Total Time: 22 mins
  • Servings: 3
Ingredients
  • 8 oz. 1/2 lb Pasta your choice
  • 1/4 Red onion
  • 1/4 Red Pepper
  • 1/2 c Sliced Pepperoni
  • 1/2 c Broccoli
  • 1/2 c Italian Dressing
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Randi Hardy

Step 1

Boil pasta until al-dente and then drain. While the pasta is boiling, chop the veggies and place into a bowl.

Randi Hardy

Step 2

Let the pasta cool and then pour into the bowl with the veggies. Mix with the Italian dressing and then refrigerate for about an hour or make the night before so you can throw it in your lunchbox and head out.

Randi Hardy

Make it your own by adding your favorite veggies and trying out different variations.

Sweet Potato Spinach Salad

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 4 c Baby Spinach
  • 1 Sweet potato
  • 1/4 Red onion
  • 1/4 Red Pepper

Randi Hardy

Step 1

Peel, cube, and roast the sweet potato in the oven at 425° for forty minutes with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Wallis Linker

Step 2

Put the spinach in your favorite take out container and set aside. Chop the veggies and toss with the spinach. Add the cubed sweet potato and mix with your favorite dressing, I prefer a honey balsamic with this salad. Add protein or other toppings to make it your own.

Kristine Mahan

Peanut Butter Apple Sandwiches

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 Apple
  • 1/4 c Peanut Butter

Randi Hardy

Step 1

Slice the apple horizontally.

Randi Hardy

Step 2

Slather the PB on a slice, or both, and make a sandwich.

Randi Hardy

Pita Pocket Caesar Salad

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 min
  • Total Time: 6 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 4 cups Romaine
  • 4 tbs Caesar dressing
  • 1 tbs Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Pita pocket cut in half

Randi Hardy

Step 1

Toss romaine in a large bowl with the Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese. Chop the salad and then scoop into both sides of the pita.

Tess Tarantino

This is great if you're constantly on the move between classes since you won't have to worry about utensils or sitting down. Add some chicken for protein.