Cooking for my friends in college was one of my favorite things to do. Let's face it, by the time you hit Thanksgiving your freshman year all you can think about is a nice, home cooked meal. I'd like to help teach you how to cook easy, inexpensive meals which can feed you, and your friends! One option that I found especially great about college cooking was that most people were willing to spend a couple bucks to eat a great home-style meal that didn't come from the dreaded dining halls. This ensured that I recuperated the cost of the meal and usually got to eat for free!
My most loved meal (and requested) when I was in college was Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Meatloaf. I don't like normal meatloaf, in fact I have never bought ketchup for something that wasn't a bar-b-que setting, therefore this is a recipe I gleaned and changed until it made something even the staunchest Meatloaf-hater will love.
Meatloaf
Preheat oven to 375.
Ingredients - 1 lb hamburger (80-20 is fine), 1 package Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix, 1 chopped onion, 2-3 cloves garlic minced, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sharp shredded cheddar cheese, 1 egg
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until mixed well. Place in a loaf pan. Place into the oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until middle is fully cooked. It will be greasy but it tastes perfect when paired with Baked Mac and Cheese. This recipe for meatloaf feeds 2-3, and can easily be doubled or tripled.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Preheat oven to 375
Ingredients - 1lb elbow macaroni, 1 can cheddar cheese soup (I use Campbells) 1 bag each of Shredded Sharp and Mild Cheeses, about 1/2 cup milk, Garlic Salt (to your preference) and 1/2 stick butter.
In a large sauce pan, boil water and cook macaroni until just short of al dente (it should be a little tough but mostly cooked). Strain water from pan then add cheddar soup, milk, garlic salt and butter. Add about 3/4 of both bags of cheese, set aside the other 1/4. Mix well then pour into casserole dish. Add remaining shredded cheese to top. Place in oven and bake 45 minutes or until cheese on top is nicely browned. This recipe can serve around 5-8 people.
