If you’re in college, you’re generally going to be two things: broke and busy. Meals can be a major issue when it comes to these qualities. After all, food that is both fast and cheap is hard to come by – at least, you think it is. That’s where I’m going to come in. I’m going to be your guide to these college-friendly foods so that your wallet, your schedule, and your tummy will have a great summer.
Side dishes can be a great solution for your predicament, particularly soups and salads. They often get overlooked as “not a real meal,” but when combined, they make some pretty substantial sustenance. That’s why Olive Garden makes such a killing with their soup and salad meal deal. Fortunately, the meal is incredibly easy to make on your own, so you won’t have to break the bank at the nearby Italian restaurant.
The way to save the most money on these meals is to look for sales and deals. Publix is my favorite when it comes to BOGOs, but you can find comparable deals at other grocery stores if you know when to shop. I found Publix brand soup for $1.99 per can, and there are all sorts of types for whatever mood you might be in. Bags of American salad blend are normally $2.99, but they were two for $4 when I went. There are also different types of salad if you’re looking for something a bit more extravagant.
Now, soup is something you can stock up on if you see it on sale, but don’t buy more salad than you can eat in about a week – it’ll go bad quickly. If you’re looking for a little extra to add to this meal, I recommend buying crackers or shredded cheese; they can serve as toppers for both the soup and the salad. You could also look into some additional vegetables, salad dressing, or croutons.
The preparation is incredibly simple. Soup can be made on a stovetop in a pot if you put it on high for about ten minutes and stir frequently. It can also be made in about three minutes if you pop it in the microwave in a covered bowl. Be careful with the timing, though – too long on the stovetop or in the microwave will give your your soup a charred taste that kind of ruins the meal. Once you check your salad to make sure it hasn’t spoiled, it requires no more prep time than it takes to pour it into a bowl and grab a fork.
Voila – you have a hearty meal that had an expense total of $5. Bon appétit!
