AbeBooks.com: College Student’s Guide To Cooking

Next to tuition, textbooks, and housing, food is a major expense. While tuition and textbooks top students’ payment lists, AbeBooks helps students buy cheap textbooks. When it comes to food, many students rely on easy, quick meals from fast food restaurants. Nutrition takes a back seat to easy and seemingly inexpensive food. However, takeout is more expensive in the long run than cooking meals yourself and it’s also unhealthy. Eating healthy boosts the immune system and boosts concentration during long study sessions.

Whether you’re new to cooking, know the basics, or about to go pro, here are a few inexpensive books to make cooking easy and save money.

New to Cooking

It's time for students around the world to make their mothers proud and learn how to cook. Worried, scared, and never been in the kitchen? Don't worry; these recommended cookbooks have more than enough tips and recipes.

Too Broke to Shop and Can’t Cook Anyhow: A “How To” Guide to Frugal Cooking by Suzy Sharpe
College Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends by Megan Carle
The Starving Student’s Vegetarian Cookbook by Dede Hall
Cooking Outside the Pizza Box by Jean Patterson
Where’s Mom Now that I need Her? By Betty Rae Frandsen
Student’s Go Vegan Cookbook by Carole Raymond
The "I Don’t Know How to Cook" Book by Mary-Lane Kamberg
The (Reluctant, Nervous, Lazy, Broke, Busy, Confused) College Student’s Cookbook by Joshua Lamert

Intermediate in the Kitchen

Want something cheap, fast, and healthy – oh, and tasty? The Mexican Everyday cookbook will tantalize your taste buds.
The Healthy College Cookbook by Alexandra Nimetz
Budget Meals by Kimberly Saunders
Cheap and Easy Cooking: The Survival Guide for College Students
Cheap, Fast & Easy Cookbook

Advanced Chef

Broke students can still eat well. These cookbooks offer culinary heaven without breaking the bank. The recipes are more complicated, but it’s worth the effort.

The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition by Editors of Cook’s Illustrated Magazine
Better Homes and Gardens
The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen by Donna Klein
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food by Mark Bittman

Quick Recipes for Students on a Budget

Living on your own for the first time? Broke and starving? Here are some desperate measures for desperate times - recipes of horror from the staff at AbeBooks.

Cracker nachos: Place stale saltines evenly on plate. Cover in cheese slices. Put in microwave for 30 seconds. Eat. Regret almost immediately.
Ramen noodles, raw, straight from the packet
White bread hot dogs - boiled wieners wrapped in white bread, ketchup optional
Anything involving Kraft macaroni and cheese, and tuna
Celery with processed cheese spread and raisins
Best pseudo-ranch dressing ever: 1/2 cup mayo, plain yogurt or sour cream, 1 splash pickle juice, famous salt substitute seasoning, salt & pepper
Cold pizza (also perfect when you are hungover)
Peanut Butter & Jam French Toast
One can chili, one package corn chips - mix and eat (heating not necessary)
White bread with popcorn