As a college student, it can be tough to balance eating healthy and sticking to a tight budget. However, with a little bit of creativity and some smart shopping, it’s possible to create delicious and nutritious meals without breaking the bank. Here are some recipes for cheap and healthy meals that even a college student could make:

1. Veggie Stir-Fry

Ingredients:
– 1 bell pepper
– 1 onion
– 1 zucchini
– 1 carrot
– 1 tablespoon oil
– 2 cloves garlic
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon honey
– salt and pepper

Instructions:
1. Slice the bell pepper, onion, zucchini, and carrot into thin strips.
2. In a wok or frying pan, heat the oil over high heat.
3. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
4. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes or until they are cooked but still crisp.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce and honey.
6. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and stir-fry for an additional minute.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:
– 1 cup red lentils
– 1 onion
– 2 carrots
– 2 celery stalks
– 2 cloves garlic
– 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 bay leaf
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– salt and pepper

Instructions:
1. Rinse the lentils in a strainer and set aside.
2. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery.
3. In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
4. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
5. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
6. Add the lentils, broth, bay leaf, and cumin to the pot.
7. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are cooked.
8. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper.

3. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito Bowl

Ingredients:
– 1 sweet potato
– 1 can black beans
– 1 tablespoon oil
– 1 clove garlic
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cumin
– 1/4 teaspoon paprika
– salt and pepper
– cooked rice
– toppings of your choice (sour cream, cheese, avocado, salsa)

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel and dice the sweet potato into small cubes.
3. Rinse and drain the black beans.
4. In a mixing bowl, toss the sweet potato and black beans with oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
6. Assemble your burrito bowl by layering cooked rice on the bottom, followed by the roasted sweet potato and black bean mixture.
7. Add your desired toppings and enjoy!

In summary, here are some cheap and healthy meals that even a college student could make:
– Veggie stir-fry
– Lentil soup
– Sweet potato and black bean burrito bowl