Easy Recipes and Essential Cookware for College Students

College is a time for learning, trying new things…and cooking dinner without Mom's helping hand. For the majority of students who aren't enrolled in a culinary program, college may also be their first time experimenting in the kitchen. College students know that dining hall food can get a bit monotonous, so why not try cooking these easy recipes in your dorm room or off-campus apartment? We're also sharing inexpensive but essential pieces of cookware and bakeware that will get you through the next two or four years of your education.

Start with one of our most popular recipes: One-Pan Pasta. You only need a handful of easily accessible ingredients (tomatoes, garlic, basil) and the entire dish cooks in one large pot, which makes for quick clean-up. Another one-pot staple is Perfect White Rice, which is one of the most versatile side dishes you can eat. Plus, it lasts for three to four days of delicious leftovers.

Of course, college students need a bit of sugar to keep them going throughout the day, and nothing satisfies quite like a classic chocolate chip cookie. Our recipe is the perfect combination of soft and chewy. We have a feeling you'll make plenty of friends on your hall if you bake a batch of these cookies. And when finals come around, every student needs plenty of caffeine to help them stay awake and alert. Save money by making homemade cold brew coffee in your dorm room using a mason jar or pitcher.

Wow your parents and friends by making these easy and delicious recipes that will satisfy you through the best four years of your lives.

From cooking pasta to soup, this sturdy stainless steel pot is essential to have on hand. It's durable enough to last for years—and you can't beat the college-friendly price.

Shop Now: Cuisinart Chef's Classic 5.75 qt. Covered Pot, $29.99, bedbathandbeyond.com.

Every aspiring pastry chef should own this nonstick baking mat. It's made to line sheet trays, which makes clean-up a breeze and prevents cookies from sticking to the pan. Plus, it can be used over and over again.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Silicone Baking Silpat, $24.99, macys.com.

Cook rice, pasta, marinara sauce, or vegetables in this versatile saucepan. The stainless steel construction ensures that the durable pan can handle being moved from one dorm room to the next.

Shop Now: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Two-Quart Covered Saucepan, $19.99, macys.com.

Treat this skillet right and it's sure to last a lifetime. You can use it for pan-searing meat or making a sweet, crowd-friendly skillet cookie that everyone on your hall will want to dig into.

Shop Now: Lodge 10" Cast Iron Skillet, $21.45, crateandbarrel.com.

This three-piece knife set has everything a college student could possibly need—a sturdy, Western-style chef's knife, an all-purpose utility knife, and a small paring knife that's perfect for cutting fruits and vegetables.

Shop Now: Zyliss Control Kitchen Knife Set Three-Piece, $64, macys.com.

Order up! Flip pancakes, crisp up bacon strips, and fry eggs on this griddle designed for small spaces.

Shop Now: Presto Liddle Griddle, $34.99, walmart.com.

If you only keep a few pieces of cookware in your kitchen, a set of sheet pans should be included. The half-sheet and quarter-sheet sizes are perfect for small ovens and even smaller spaces.

Shop Now: Nordic Ware Two-Pack Aluminum Cookie Sheet, $19.99, target.com.

Not only does this set include every size mixing bowl a college student could possibly need, but the varied hues of bright blue will help to distinguish them from others in a communal kitchen.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Melamine Food Storage Bowl Set, $29.99, macys.com.

Not only are these mason jars the perfect size for making iced coffee or overnight oats in your kitchen, but you can bring them on-the-go, too. The glass material is durable and eco-friendly, which is great for busy students.

Shop Now: Ball Eight-Ounce Quilted Mason Jar, $8.49 for 12, target.com.

Most college students don't have access to an outdoor grill, but this grill pan designed by our founder will certainly do the trick. Grill chicken for our teriyaki noodle bowls or prepare burgers and hot dogs for a fall tailgate.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection, Enameled Cast Iron 11" Grill Pan, $54.99, macys.com.

There's no need to invest in pricy colanders. This duo will take care of all your draining needs and will prevent even the smallest ingredients (think quinoa and rice) from falling through the cracks.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Mesh Colanders, $19.99 for a set of two, macys.com.

Ramekins are one of the most useful kitchen items you can buy. Sure, you can cook shakshouka or make impressive molten lava cakes, but they're also great for holding ingredients as you prep a recipe.

Shop Now: BIA Six-Ounce Ramekin, $2.49, bedbathandbeyond.com.

Wow your roommate by making them a homemade birthday cake or pan of brownies for a special occasion. The nonstick design makes it this pan easy to clean.

Shop Now: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick 9" Square Cake Pan, $10.99, macys.com.

Functional and useful, this set of spatulas comes in four sizes. The smallest can help scoop out the contents of jarred soups and sauces and the largest is great for gently folding muffin and cake batter.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Four Piece Pro Multi-Functional Spatula Set, $25.99, macys.com.