Recipes for out-of-town students: breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas to try

College classes, long study sessions at home or in the library, perhaps a side job to support yourself or have some extra money to spend: the life of a student living away from home seems to leave little time for eating, or at least eating healthily. Below, we've gathered 42 ideas for those who need to eat without the hassle, choosing practical, quick, and delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, not to mention a few delicious desserts.

The dishes were selected following what we might call "student meal rules," focusing on affordability, convenience, and versatility, choosing ingredients that are inexpensive, easy to find and store, and easy to substitute for one another (for example, in a spinach frittata, the spinach can be replaced with zucchini). Pasta and grains, legumes and canned tuna stand out, as do eggs, fresh and frozen vegetables, and cheeses like mozzarella and feta, which can be used to create versatile combinations and pairings.

Don't underestimate the cost-effectiveness aspect, keeping an eye on your wallet and avoiding waste: you'll find suggestions for using leftovers, using one ingredient for multiple dishes (carrots are excellent in pasta dishes with noodles and cream soups, as a side dish with potatoes, and even for making moist baked cakes), and some suggestions for sauces and gravies that you can make homemade instead of buying, from hummus to yogurt sauce for salads or nuggets. Finally, time is also a factor when it comes to cleaning pots, pans, and baking sheets: here, we've tried to include recipes that leave as little mess as possible. Here's our list to keep handy.

Overnight oats are a traditional Anglo-Saxon dish, a cold, no-cook version of classic porridge, perfect for breakfast to start the day off right, or as a healthy, wholesome snack. To make them, simply mix oat bran with rice milk and fresh blueberries in a jar. After refrigeration for at least 10 hours, top with Greek yogurt, blueberries, and flaked almonds.

Porridge is a sweet oatmeal soup, a typical British breakfast dish made with rolled oats, water, milk, and a pinch of salt. Satisfying, nutritious, and high in fiber, porridge can be enriched with a wide variety of ingredients. Discover three different versions with Melissa, each more delicious than the last.

Pancakes are a traditional North American breakfast treat. The basic recipe is incredibly quick and easy to make, with a batter made from eggs, granulated sugar, milk, vegetable oil, flour, and baking powder. You can top these fluffy pancakes with maple syrup or whatever you prefer.

Yogurt plum cake is a classic breakfast dessert with an elongated dome shape and a very soft texture. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients—yogurt, milk, eggs, flour, starch, oil, sugar, baking powder, and lemon zest—it's loved by adults and children alike.

Carrot cake is a soft and wholesome dessert, perfect for breakfast or a snack for the whole family. Discover the recipe with raw carrots and no almonds.

A grilled cheese sandwich is an American cheese toastie with a crispy, golden crust and a gooey center, made with sandwich bread, butter, and a mix of cheeses, including cheddar.

French toast is a recipe of American origins, inspired by the French pain perdu, perfect for breakfast or Sunday brunch. Delicious slices of brioche bread are dipped in a cinnamon-flavored milk and egg batter, then fried in melted butter and topped with berries, maple syrup, and butter flakes: a fragrant and irresistible treat, perfect for the whole family. Discover the original recipe with our Melissa.

Cooked ham rolls are creamy and flavorful, made with slices of cooked ham and a few simple filling ingredients, such as fresh cream cheese, grated parmesan, chopped herbs, oil, salt, and ground pepper. Ideal as an appetizer or aperitif, they're also perfect for a buffet dinner.

Mozzarella carpaccio is a simple and tasty cold summer appetizer, made with slices of mozzarella drizzled with oil, chopped celery, and a mixture of green olives, anchovies, and pine nuts.

This savory ricotta and spinach pie is a tasty, quick, and easy rustic dish: it's made with a puff pastry base filled with boiled spinach, ricotta, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and nutmeg.

Tuna and lemon pasta is a simple first course, perfect for summer, prepared with sedanini or other pasta shapes of your choice, tossed in a sauce made with tuna in oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, oil, chili pepper, and fresh basil.

Pasta with feta and cherry tomatoes is a delicious first course made by baking feta with cherry tomatoes, oregano, and fresh basil, then using the resulting sauce to toss fusilli, drained al dente. Discover how to make it at home with Elpidio.

Pasta with pesto and tomato is a simple and creamy first course, perfect for summer. Easy and accessible, it's prepared by tossing linguine, cooked al dente, with a sauce of fresh cherry tomatoes and Genoese pesto.

Zucchini carbonara is a delicious and flavorful vegetarian first course, made with spaghetti, pan-fried diced zucchini, and a creamy egg yolk and pecorino cheese sauce. Quick and easy, it's perfect for a family lunch or dinner with friends.

Pasta with butter, anchovies, and hazelnuts is a perfect first course to prepare even at the last minute, perhaps when you get home in the evening and want to enjoy a tasty dish that's ready in a short time.

Rice noodles are a traditional first course in Asian cuisine, especially Chinese. Soy noodles, soaked in warm water, are then pan-fried with a mix of wilted onions, shredded pork loin, carrot and zucchini sticks, and scrambled eggs: a complete and nutritious dish, perfect for a fusion-themed dinner.

Vegetable noodles are a typical Asian dish made with spaghetti, soy sauce, and vegetables, cut into strips and sautéed in a wok.

Gnocchi alla sorrentina is a Campanian first course made with potato gnocchi, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. Stringy and flavorful, here's how to make them.

Creamy zucchini soup is a light and delicate recipe, perfect for getting even the littlest ones to eat vegetables. Ideal for summer, when the vegetables are plump and crunchy, it's made with just fresh zucchini, onion, oil, water, and creamy cheese, which you can add away from the stove.

Creamy carrot soup is a light and wholesome first course made with just a few ingredients: carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, vegetable broth, and thyme for flavor. It's ideal for lunch or dinner with the whole family: even the kids will love it.

Chickpea soup is the perfect winter comfort food, a hearty dish with a rustic flavor. Easy to make, it's made with simple, wholesome ingredients: the star of the show, of course, are chickpeas, legumes rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and valuable micronutrients.

Mozzarella frittata is a typical Neapolitan second course, perfect for any family lunch or dinner. It's also excellent as a stand-alone dish, paired with a side of vegetables and toasted bread. When you bite into it, it reveals an irresistibly delicious and stringy center.

Spinach frittata is a nutritious and tasty main course that can quickly transform any family lunch or dinner. Here's how to make it.

Eggs and peas are a quick and easy dish, perfect for when you're short on time but want something nutritious and tasty. Served with a slice of bread and a seasonal side dish, it'll satisfy the whole family.

Anthony Bourdain's scrambled eggs are the celebrated New York chef's take on classic scrambled eggs. Soft, creamy, and made even more delicious by the final addition of sour cream, they're made with the freshest eggs, thinly sliced ​​bacon, chives, butter, and salt.

Tofu pizzaiola is a second course suitable for everyone, perfect for enjoying tofu at its best, which is flavored in a pan with onion, oil, cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, capers, and aromatic herbs.

Vegan spinacine is a second course without meat and animal products made with tofu, spinach, nutritional yeast flakes, flour, soy drink and cornflakes, perfect for any lunch or dinner.

Chickpea and zucchini meatballs are a quick and delicious vegetarian main course, perfect for frying and serving as a finger food for an aperitif. They're made with boiled chickpeas, zucchini, parmesan cheese, and herbs, and are egg-free.

Chicken with vegetables is a simple and nutritious recipe, ready in no time and perfect for any family lunch or dinner. This hearty main course, complete with a side dish, features chicken breast, peppers, zucchini, and red onion, and can be customized with your favorite seasonal vegetables and herbs.

Chicken with mushrooms is a quick and tasty main course, perfect for any family lunch or dinner. It's a simple dish to prepare, paired with a portion of baked potatoes or a few slices of toasted homemade bread, for a complete and filling meal that will please both adults and children. Discover our recipe.

Chickpeas with tomato sauce are a simple and light vegetarian side dish made with dried legumes, cooked in a pan and then combined with a tomato and herb sauce. They're excellent served with crusty bread slices.

Sautéed courgettes are an easy and tasty side dish, perfect for serving alongside any main course for family lunches and dinners, or to enjoy on a crispy bruschetta for aperitif time.

Pan-fried potatoes and carrots are a simple and tasty side dish that's ready in no time. Made with carrots, potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, they're perfect for accompanying meat or fish dishes.

This cold yogurt cake is a fresh and delicious no-bake dessert, perfect for a tasty summer snack or as a delicious dessert after a meal.

Chocolate mousse is a soft and delicious dessert, perfect as a dessert after a meal. Discover the easy, eggless recipe to make it in just a few minutes.

Coffee cream is a delicious dessert, ready in minutes, made with just three ingredients: coffee, cream, and sugar. Delicious enjoyed by the spoonful, it's also perfect for filling cakes and desserts: here's how to make it at home, as good as the one you get at the bar.

Yogurt sauce, often called yogurt dressing, is a fresh and light condiment, excellent with meat and fish dishes, crisp salads, boiled potatoes, and meatballs of all kinds, including vegetarian ones. It's also ideal for those watching their weight, as it's made with very low-fat ingredients, making it a light yet equally tasty alternative to mayonnaise and other more substantial sauces.

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made with chickpeas and tahini, best served as an appetizer or aperitif. Discover the traditional recipe for making it at home.

Pesto alla Genovese is a traditional Ligurian sauce made with basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan, pecorino, and pine nuts. Here's how to make a creamy and fragrant homemade pesto in just a few steps.

Vegetable ragù is a delicious and flavorful sauce, a plant-based alternative to traditional meat ragù, and a great option for vegan or vegetarian guests. Made here with eggplant, zucchini, carrots, and peas, it can be made with your favorite vegetables: it's perfect for flavoring pasta dishes, lasagna, and cannelloni. Learn how to make it at home with Michele Ghedini.

Lentil ragù is a vegetable sauce made with brown lentils, tomato puree, sautéed carrots and onions, oil, and salt. Quick and easy, it's perfect for vegan and vegetarian guests and will also please omnivores.