When you’re looking for recipes online, you typically find meals large enough for whole families and that require a bunch of ingredients you don’t have at home. It can be difficult for students to find ideas for single-serve meals they can whip up quickly between classes. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of ideas that will satisfy your hunger and help you eat a balanced diet.

1. Mediterranean Grilled Cheese

A grilled cheese sandwich is fast to prepare, but it’s not particularly healthy — and it may even become boring after a while. To switch things up, include more vegetables in your meal by making a Mediterranean grilled cheese. Simply switch your regular cheese to feta and add some red onion, tomato, black olives, and kale.

2. Pesto Pizza

You can make your own pizza at home by using naan or pita. Instead of pizza sauce, spread some pesto on the bread. Then, add a layer of mozzarella. You can choose whatever toppings you like, although especially good options include avocado, arugula, prosciutto, and spinach.

3. Omelet

An omelet is one of the fastest single-serve meals you can make. Simply whisk up two eggs and combine them with the filling of your choice. Some great options include roasted red peppers, feta cheese, green onions, and spinach. Either fry your omelet in a pan or pop it in a mug and cook it in the microwave.

4. Shakshuka

Another dish with eggs is shakshuka. Unlike an omelet, it feels less like a breakfast or brunch, making it suitable for any time of the day. To prepare shakshuka, sauté some onion, garlic, and bell pepper for a few minutes and then add either crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce as well as some tomato paste and cumin. Once it’s cooked, transfer the mixture to an oven-safe skillet. Make an indentation in the mixture and crack one or two eggs into the middle. Bake the dish until the egg whites have set.

5. Eggplant Parmesan

Although it looks impressive, eggplant Parmesan is easy to prepare. Simply coat slices of eggplant in beaten egg and then dip them into a mixture of bread crumbs, Parmesan, and the herbs of your choice. Fry the pieces until brown. Then, place half of the eggplant pieces in a single-serve baking dish and cover them with mozzarella cheese followed by tomato sauce. Repeat to create a second layer and top with Parmesan. You’ll need to bake the dish for around 30 minutes.

6. Quesadillas

One of the fastest meals to whip up during a break between classes is quesadillas. All you need is tortillas and a cheese that melts, such as taleggio, cheddar, or mozzarella. To make your quesadillas healthier, it’s worth also adding some spinach.

7. Apple Oatmeal

Ideal as a breakfast, as a brunch, or even for later in the day, apple oatmeal is fast to prepare and inexpensive. Start by baking the apple to soften it. Place apple slices topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon in a bowl with a little water and bake them in your oven or microwave. Then, prepare the oatmeal by heating together half a cup of oats and a cup of either water or milk (or half a cup of each). To make your meal extra delicious, stir a spoonful of peanut butter into the oatmeal before you top it with the apple.

You have far more options for meals when you have a full kitchen than just a microwave in your dorm at uOttawa. Off-campus housing provides you with everything you need to prepare meals. At THEO, you’ll have a kitchen, dining table, chairs, and plenty of cupboard space. You can share your apartment with other students or have a one-bedroom apartment to yourself. Contact us to apply for the type of apartment you want.