Looking for a quick meal sure to please your palette and not put a damper on your bank account? Maybe you’re simply looking to experiment in the kitchen. Whatever your predicament, there are a host of options that exist when it comes to preparing a meal on a dime and without a lot of time.

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

From Betty Crocker’s kitchen to your countertop, this delicious pasta salad is sure to knock your socks off. With a few simple ingredients, anyone can make this classic.  

Ingredients:

1 package (16 ounces) of rotini pasta noodles

1 1/2 cups Creamy Italian salad dressing

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 cucumber

1 tomato  

Instructions:

In a medium-sized pot, cook your pasta noodles. While the noodles are cooking, combine the Creamy Italian dressing, parmesan cheese and a drizzle of vegetable oil in a mixing bowl. While the noodles continue cooking, refrigerate your dressing. As the noodles are finishing up, cut the half of a cucumber and a tomato into bite-sized pieces. When the noodles are finished cooking, rinse them in cold water and drain using a colander. In another mixing bowl, mix the noodles, dressing and vegetables together.   If you want to take it one step further, try adding additional vegetables or a meat of your choice.   

Ramen Noodle Soup

Tired of the same ramen noodles every day? Using only a few other ingredients that can be picked up at any grocery store, try this spin on a college favorite.

Ingredients:

1 package chicken ramen noodles

1-1/2 cups vegetable broth

1 onion, chopped

Instructions:

In a saucepan heat broth and noodles over high heat. Cover and allow the mixture to come to a boil. In order to break up the noodles, be sure to stir occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium and add about a 1/2 cup of chopped onions to provide the soup with an added kick.

Beefy Tacos

Don’t feel like making the drive to Taco Bell on Western Blvd.? If not, why not make your own tacos?

Ingredients:

1 package of taco seasoning mix

1 lb. of ground beef

Water

Toppings of your choosing (shredded cheddar cheese, chunky salsa, lettuce, etc.)

Flour tortillas

Instructions:

In a saucepan, cook ground beef until it is brown. While cooking the ground beef, be sure to stir occassionally so the meat does not get clumpy. After the meat appears to be fully cooked, drain out any excess fat. Add approximately a cup of water and the taco seasoning mix to the meat and allow it to simmer to a boil in order to allow the flavors to come together. After a few minutes, you are finished. Warm the flour tortillas and dress them with the meat and toppings of your choosing.