45 Simple Recipes to Send with Your Kid to College
45 Simple Recipes to Send with Your Kid to College
Read Time: 20 mins
45 Simple Recipes to Send with Your Kid to College
When there’s a chill in the air, nothing beats this beef stew
protein. 3/44 Slow-Cooker Beef Stew 56 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Beef Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 25 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When there’s a chill in the air, nothing beats this beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 272 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 541mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat,
1-1/2 starch, 1 fat
1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 4/44 Breakfast Pizza 28 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Breakfast Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I used to make this bacon breakfast pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages. —Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 352 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 169mg cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g
Add some buttered noodles for an easy side dish
protein. 5/44 Chicken Provolone 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Provolone Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chicken Provolone, though one of my simplest dishes, is one of my husband’s favorites. It is easy to prepare and looks fancy served on a dark plate with a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. Add some buttered noodles for an easy side dish. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half: 236 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars,
0 fiber), 33g protein
0 fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat. 6/44 Peanut Butter Oatmeal 14 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter Oatmeal Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My son and I eat this peanut butter oatmeal recipe every day for breakfast. It’s a hearty, healthy way to jump start our morning. — Elisabeth Reitenbach, Terryville, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 323 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein. 7/44 Sausage
It was dinnertime, and I had to use what I had on hand
and Potato 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage Potato Supper Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One Saturday night a few years ago, I came up with this dish on the spur of the moment. It was dinnertime, and I had to use what I had on hand. It’s been a hit with my family ever since. —Nancy Russell, Englewood, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 448 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 1396mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 8/44 Skillet
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy!
Mac and Cheese 96 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 600 calories, 37g fat (23g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1185mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. 9/44 Sesame Cilantro Shrimp 5 Reviews Test Kitchen
I can have a hot meal on the table in 10 minutes
Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On days when I don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I reach for shrimp. I can have a hot meal on the table in 10 minutes. —Tami Penunuri, League City, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup shrimp mixture (calculated without rice): 153 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 461mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 10/44 Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen
The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into a quick, satisfying meal
Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into a quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 garlic toast with 3/4 cup steak mixture: 375 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 11/44 Thai-Style Chicken Chili 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Thai-Style
This Thai chili recipe is quick, easy, nutritious and delicious
Chicken Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this Asian take on the classic one-pot meal. This Thai chili recipe is quick, easy, nutritious and delicious. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 270 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein. 12/44 Biscuits and Sausage Gravy 87 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to
These little pizza pockets put together
Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I’ve adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it’s served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 337 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein. 13/44 Waffle-Iron Pizzas 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These little pizza pockets put together
using the waffle maker are a fun mashup
using the waffle maker are a fun mashup. Try your favorite toppings or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 pizza (calculated without sauce): 461 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 1650mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. 14/44 White Chili 627 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Creamy White Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Years ago, as a time-starved college student, I got this wonderful recipe from my sister-in-law.
She had made a big batch and served it to a crowd one night
She had made a big batch and served it to a crowd one night. It was a hit—and easy and quick. In all my years of cooking, I’ve never had another dish get so many compliments. —Laura Brewer, Lafayette, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 334 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1045mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 22g protein. 15/44 Mom’s Meat Loaf 216 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Meat Loaf Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mom made the best
meat loaf, and now I do too
meat loaf, and now I do too. When I first met my husband, he wasn’t a meat loaf guy, but this recipe won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 366 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 135mg cholesterol, 1086mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein. 16/44 Sheepherder’s Breakfast 87 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Sheepherder’s Breakfast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping and had to come
up with good, easy breakfast ideas
up with good, easy breakfast ideas. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it’s a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I’ve passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 354 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 222mg cholesterol, 617mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. 17/44 Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 6
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
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Zippy Breaded Pork Chops 61 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Zippy Breaded Pork Chops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need a perky update for pork chops?
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⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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