Cheap Pasta Dishes for Students Under $8
Perfect for dorm rooms and tight budgets | Under 20 minutes | Feeds 2-3 people
Living on a student budget doesn't mean living on ramen alone. These pasta dishes are cheap, quick, and actually taste good. Most can be made with just a hot plate or microwave, and all cost less than a fast food meal.
1. Garlic Butter Parmesan Pasta ($3.20)
The easiest pasta that actually impresses people
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti or linguine ($1.20)
- 4 tbsp butter ($0.80)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced ($0.40)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan ($0.80)
- Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
- Optional: parsley ($0.00 - most campus stores have free herbs)
Instructions (15 minutes)
- Cook pasta according to package. Save 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- In the same pot, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic, cook 1 minute.
- Add drained pasta and 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss to coat.
- Remove from heat, add Parmesan, toss until creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.
2. One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta ($4.50)
Literally everything cooks in one pot
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (any shape) ($0.90)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz) ($1.80)
- 4 cups water
- 1 onion, sliced thin ($0.50)
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced ($0.30)
- 2 tbsp olive oil ($0.40)
- 1 tsp dried basil (or fresh if available) ($0.30)
- Salt, pepper, sugar (pinch)
- Optional: Parmesan for serving ($0.30)
Instructions (20 minutes)
- Put EVERYTHING in one large pot: pasta, tomatoes, water, onion, garlic, oil, basil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
- Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking.
- Cook 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce is thick.
- Top with Parmesan if you have it.
3. Broke College Student Carbonara ($5.80)
Fancy name, cheap ingredients, restaurant quality
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti ($1.20)
- 4 eggs ($1.20)
- 1 cup Parmesan, grated ($1.60)
- 6 slices bacon or 4 oz pancetta ($1.80)
- Black pepper (lots!)
- Salt
Instructions (18 minutes)
- Cook pasta. Reserve 1.5 cups pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, fry bacon until crispy. Chop into pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, Parmesan, and lots of black pepper.
- Drain pasta, return to pot OFF THE HEAT.
- Immediately add egg mixture and bacon, tossing quickly. The heat from pasta cooks the eggs.
- Add pasta water a little at a time until creamy (not scrambled eggs!).
Pro tip: The key is taking the pot off heat before adding eggs. You want them creamy, not scrambled.
4. Spicy Ramen Upgrade ($2.50)
Turn instant ramen into an actual meal
Ingredients
- 2 packs instant ramen ($0.50)
- 2 eggs ($0.60)
- 1 cup frozen vegetables ($0.80)
- 2 green onions ($0.40)
- 1 tsp sriracha or hot sauce ($0.20)
- Optional: sesame oil (a few drops make it 10x better)
Instructions (8 minutes)
- Boil water, add frozen vegetables first. Cook 2 minutes.
- Add ramen noodles and half the seasoning packet (full packet is too salty).
- Crack eggs directly into the boiling broth. Don't stir—let them poach for 2 minutes.
- Add sriracha and a few drops of sesame oil if you have it.
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
5. Mac and Cheese from Scratch ($4.20)
Better than the box, almost as easy
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni ($1.20)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar ($2.40)
- 2 tbsp butter ($0.40)
- 2 tbsp flour ($0.10)
- 2 cups milk ($0.80)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder
- Optional: breadcrumb topping ($0.30)
Instructions (20 minutes)
- Cook pasta, drain, set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute (this is called a roux).
- Slowly whisk in milk. Cook, stirring, until thick (5 minutes).
- Remove from heat, stir in cheese until melted.
- Add pasta back, mix well. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder.
Dorm Room Cooking Essentials
These make cooking in a dorm or small apartment way easier:
- Electric Hot Plate - For dorms that allow it ($25)
- Microwave Pasta Cooker - No stove needed ($12)
- Cheap Knife Set - Actually sharp enough to work ($15)
- Plastic Food Storage Set - Leftovers = free meals ($10)
Student Budget Pasta Tips
- Buy pasta in bulk: It's cheaper per pound and lasts forever
- Save pasta water: It makes sauces creamy without adding cream
- Store brand is fine: Pasta is pasta. Save $2 by skipping the fancy brands.
- Buy a block of Parmesan: Pre-grated costs 3x more and doesn't melt as well
- Freeze leftovers: Most pasta dishes freeze great for up to 3 months
- Share bulk items: Split a 5-lb bag of pasta with roommates
More Quick Pasta Ideas
- Aglio e Olio: Pasta + olive oil + garlic + red pepper flakes ($2)
- Pasta with Frozen Peas: Boil peas with pasta, add butter and Parmesan ($3.50)
- Tuna Pasta: Canned tuna + pasta + mayo or olive oil ($4)
- Pesto Pasta: Store-bought pesto (it's worth it) + pasta + cherry tomatoes ($5)