6 Easy Vegetarian Meals for College Students

We totes hear ya! Being in college is not easy, on top of work, and studies – you are deprived of good food, and time. And if you have a preference for all vegetarian food, we got you! We have six easy vegetarian meals for college students which you can always try with some shuffling, changing ingredients, and procedures, to create something hearty and homey with the content from your fridge.

These easy vegetarian meals for college students ideas are here to give you inspiration and get you going with some ideas. The images used for easy vegetarian meals for college students blog are extremely tempting and we apologize in advance if they add more to hunger pangs.

Disclaimer: Some recipes have herbs, dips, spices, and sauces listed in the ingredients. You can substitute them with pepper/salt, ketchup, mayo, and soya sauce. You do you!

6 Easy Vegetarian Meals for College Students

Vegetable Stir-Fry

It is one of the favorite and quickest easy vegetarian meals for college students. We have listed several vegetables, but you can make do with what is available in your fridge.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, etc.)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of cornstarch (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Green onions for garnish (optional)
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a wok or large skillet (read: fry pan), place it on the stove over high heat. Add the vegetable oil or butter and swirl it around to coat the pan evenly.
2. Now, add the minced garlic/ginger, you can also chop some fresh ginger and garlic. Add these to the hot oil and stir-fry for roughly 30 seconds, or until you see desired light brown color. (we are sensing you may not have ginger garlic in the fridge, so skip to step 3)
3. It is time to bring the vegetables. You can cut them sliced, diced, or finely chopped, whatever pleases you. You can also use the store-bought mixed vegetable bag.
4. Stir-fry the vegetables for 2-3 minutes. Depending on whether you like them soft or crisp, keep them on the heat.
5. Take a small bowl. Whisk some soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using).
6. If you intend to have it with rice, you may be leaning towards a thicker sauce. Hence, bring cornstarch to the sauce mix. Peanut butter also elevates the dish and can be used instead/in combination with cornstarch.
7. Cook for another 2 minutes, as you pour the sauce mix, or until the sauce thickens to your liking.
8. Take a bite to see if it needs some seasoning. Add salt and pepper as needed.
9. Time to remove from heat. You can garnish it with green onions, cilantro, or sesame seeds.

This mix can be consumed with boiled rice, noodles, or as a side dish on a busy day when you are craving home-cooked food. We rank it the “top recipe” in our easy vegetarian meals for college students guide.

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Now this is another favorite, easy-to-fix, nutrition-packed delicious easy vegetarian meals for college students. You can use whatever you have in the fridge or just drizzle some pepper salt and cheese to bake. We are listing down the fancy take on the recipe, which will give you some inspiration, or items to add to the next grocery shopping list.

Ingredients

• 2 Large baking potatoes
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: chopped fresh chives, or tomatoes, sliced jalapenos or bell peppers, etc.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Temperature 400°F/200°C.
2. Wash the potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing dirt off the skin.
3. Using a fork, poke some holes into each potato. It will allow the steam to escape during baking.
4. Rub the potatoes with some oil and sprinkle a little salt.
5. Now, place these potatoes on the oven rack and bake for roughly 45-60 minutes. You have to bake them until the skins are crispy and the insides are easy to poke with a fork.
6. During those forty to sixty minutes, you can work on the toppings. Take a bowl, and toss the findings such as shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and bell peppers with some sour cream. Set this delish concoction aside, it’s not for munching.
7. When you feel the potatoes are done, carefully remove them from the oven rack. Potatoes retain a lot of heat so be careful when handling them.
8. Take a sharp knife, and cut lengthwise slits across the top of the potato. If you are scared you will cut it all the way through, place chopsticks on the side of the potato as a guide.
9. Now squeeze the sides of the potato to open the slits slightly. You can also use the fork to fluff the insides.
10. Drizzle melted butter over the potatoes. Sprinkle some salt and pepper.
11. Scoop the sour cream and cheese and spread generously in the slits of the potato.
12. You can then add toppings of your choice – fresh chives, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, etc.
13. Finally, put the potatoes back in the oven for a quick 5 minutes for the cheese to melt.
14. When cheese is melted to your liking, remove it from the oven.

This recipe is a very easy vegetarian meals for college students, and you can bank on it for quick-to-prepare meal ideas.

Chickpea Salad

The Chickpea salad recipe is an A-game! It is supremely easy to make, tastes delicious, and is refreshing, and nothing can go wrong with tossing some ingredients to make this salad bowl. Pin this one for later in your easy vegetarian meals for college students list.

Ingredients

• Cup of cooked chickpeas (canned or cooked from dry)
• Small red onion diced or chopped
• Bell pepper diced or chopped
• 1 cucumber diced or chopped
• 1/4 cup of cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup of fresh mint, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a bowl, toss chickpeas and all chopped vegetables.
2. Drizzle lemon juice and, salt, pepper, and olive oil, and give it a subtle mix.
3. It is best to let it sit for ten minutes before consuming the salad.

It sure is the quickest and easy vegetarian meals for college students. You can add avocado, olives, and corn depending on what you like.

Spinach and Feta Salad

This one is a low-effort, easy-to-fix, and delicious salad packed with essential nutrition. You can try these easy vegetarian meals for college students if you have some of the ingredients at home. If not, there is plenty of room for improvisation.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• 1/4 red onion sliced or diced
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup pine nuts

Dressing

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic chopped or minced
• 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Take pine nuts and roast them in a pan. It would take two minutes-ish for them to turn golden brown. Remove from heat and pan to stop over-roasting from the heat of the pan.
2. Put all wet ingredients in a bowl and whisk.
3. Now add all vegetables, and pine nuts to the bowl, and give it a mix.
4. Adjust dressing, salt, and pepper as per your liking.

The salad is ready. You can use it as a snack or side dish. Usually, you can mix all wet ingredients in a separate bowl and drizzle over the vegetables. But we know, as a college student, you want to keep the number of utensils used in prep to a minimum, as you don’t want to do a lot of dishes after making a salad.

Been there, done that! Enjoy the salad

Lentil and Vegetable Soup

It is the recipe for days when you are missing home-cooked hearty meals. The recipe requires almost no fuss, but chopping and tossing all ingredients in a Dutch oven or pot. It is an incredibly easy vegetarian meals for college students. With some adjustments in quantities, you can invite your friends for this meal too.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
• 1 cup green or brown lentils – dried & rinsed
• 3 cups vegetable broth or water
• Diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil on medium heat in the pot or Dutch oven.
2. Add celery, carrots, and onions into the pot and saute. Keep stirring for five minutes until the vegetables are soft.
3. Time to add garlic and other spices to the pot. Stir until you can smell the aroma developing.
4. Now add vegetable broth, lentils, tomatoes, and bay leaves.
5. Keep the heat at medium so the content comes to a boil. When the soup starts to bubble, lower the heat and cover it with a lid.
6. This should simmer for a good half hour. Best to stir it every 10 minutes.
7. Check the consistency if it works for you. Add salt pepper and other seasonings.

The no-fuss soup is ready. You can use other vegetables like spinach, potatoes, or kale. The seasonings and spices can also be adjusted as per taste or availability. Pour it into a bowl. drizzle some lemon or cilantro to enjoy this nutrition-packed, easy vegetarian meals for college students.

Vegetable Quesadillas

The thing about quesadillas is, they are super easy to make but look very fancy. They make a complete meal and can be used for days when you can’t do with cereals no more! Take a look at these easy vegetarian meals for college students, so you know what to add to the grocery list for next time. The ingredients ideally serve two people.

Ingredients

• 4 large flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese – cheddar, mozzarella, whatever is available
• 1 tablespoon olive/cooking oil
• 1 small onion – chopped or diced
• 2 bell peppers – chopped or sliced
• 1 clove garlic – minced or chopped
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup corn kernels – fresh or frozen
• 1 cup black beans – rinsed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a skillet, pour the oil, keeping it on medium heat.
2. Add garlic and onion and saute until golden.
3. Now add all the vegetables and spices. Stir until vegetables are slightly tender.
4. Remove it from the heat.
5. Bring out tortillas, and lay them on a big dish or chopping board.
6. On the one-half tortilla, place the shredded cheese.
7. Take the vegetables from the skillet, place them on top of the cheese, and fold the tortilla.
8. To seal the tortilla, gently press the ends together. We are lugging a video after this so you can watch how to smartly fold a tortilla.
9. Bring a pan or griddle on medium heat, and place the tortilla. After a minute, gently flip to cook the other side.
10. Remove from pan, when both sides are cooked to cut into wedges.

Serve it with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or anything that works as a dipping sauce for you. You can use a variety of cheese or vegetables depending on preference. Now the video on how to fold and flip the tortilla.

Parting Thoughts

We hope these easy vegetarian meals for college students were of great help. If you are planning to go to Italy and enjoy delicious cooked food, there is more than one easy way to apply for a visa to Italy.

You can try all the delicious foods cooked by Italians who know the art of cooking, and work as a Digital nomad.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s focus on the present, get good grades, and make nutritious meals to keep ourselves healthy. Adios!