35 Healthy No-Cook Meals for College Students

Read Time: 17 mins

35 Healthy No-Cook Meals for College Students1/34 Asian Chicken Dinner 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Asian Chicken Dinner Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick microwave dish for two is perfect for a busy day. Soy sauce and chicken broth bring out flavors of the chicken and veggies. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 356 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1

What can you eat without a stove?

vegetable. What can you eat without a stove? These amazing microwave recipes! 2/34 Tuna Wrap 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crunchy Tuna Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Packed with protein-rich tuna and fresh, crunchy veggies, these colorful wraps have sensational flavor—and they’re good for you, too. —Edie Farm, Farmington, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 312 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 3/34

—Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona Nutrition Facts:

Chia Seed Protein Bites 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or a snack when I’m in a hurry. We have a lot of food allergies in our family and I like to keep healthy snacks around that everyone can eat. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy or corn, so it’s the perfect go-to treat in our house. —Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona Nutrition Facts:

Add a handful of nuts for crunch, flavor and extra health benefits

1 piece: 79 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 15mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 4/34 Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Many folks love this oatmeal cold, but I like to heat it up a little since I’m not a big fan of it right out of the fridge. Add a handful of nuts for crunch, flavor and extra health benefits. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin Nutrition

Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 349 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 263mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 7g fiber), 14g protein. 5/34 Fast Fruit Salsa 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 10 min Servings 1-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We like this refreshing and colorful salsa served with tortilla chips or spooned over grilled chicken. For another fruity option, try stirring in some diced cantaloupe or peaches when they’re in season. —Eileen Miller, Woodridge, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 48 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg

sodium, 13g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein

sodium, 13g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. 6/34 Pronto Vegetarian Peppers 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pronto Vegetarian Peppers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In the summer I love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts:

You’ll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk

2 stuffed pepper halves: 341 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 11g fiber), 19g protein. 7/34 Strawberry Banana Popsicles 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Banana Popsicles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 12 pops Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You’ll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 pop: 51 calories, 3g fat (3g saturated fat), 0

cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein

cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 8/34 Skinny Cobb Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skinny Cobb Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 324 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 31g

carbohydrate (11g sugars, 9g fiber), 23g protein

carbohydrate (11g sugars, 9g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 9/34 Caprese Skewers 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 10 min Servings 12 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make these as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 44 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg

cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein

cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat. 10/34 Better than Egg Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Better than Egg Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tofu takes on the taste and texture of egg salad in this quick-fixing sandwich from Lisa Renshaw of Kansas City, Missouri. Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 266 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 692mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat,

1 fat. 11/34 Power Berry Smoothie Bowl 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 3 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While you can’t taste the spinach in these smoothies, you’ll get all its nutrients along with big berry flavor. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 172 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. 12/34 Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 319 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable. 13/34 Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tomato & Avocado Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From

These are ingredients I almost always have on hand

the Recipe Creator: I’m a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 278 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat. 14/34 Fruit Salsa 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fruit Salsa Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min

Everyone wanted the recipe

Servings about 2-1/2 cups salsa and 80 chips Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first made this fresh fruit salsa for a family baby shower. Everyone wanted the recipe. Now, someone makes this juicy snack for just about every family gathering—and I have to keep reminding everyone who introduced it! —Jessica Robinson, Indian Trail, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons salsa with 4 chips: 134 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 136mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 15/34 Three-Green Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Three-Green Salad Recipe photo by Taste of

For a crisp, refreshing side dish, this tasty salad can’t be beat

Home Total Time 15 min Servings 12 servings (about 3/4 cup dressing) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a crisp, refreshing side dish, this tasty salad can’t be beat. It’s the perfect salad to go with lasagna. —Gina Squires, Salem, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 cup salad with 1 tablespoon dressing: 136 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 16/34 Honey-Lemon Chicken Enchiladas 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey-Lemon Chicken Enchiladas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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