Potato Soup
This was a staple meal for my college years. I learned how to make it from my mom, and I have since varied the cooking to fit my schedule. Get about 4-5 baking potatoes -- about $1.50. Bake the potatoes in the microwave by punching holes in them with a fork and wrapping them in wet paper towels. Cook for about 8-10 minutes or until the are soft. You can also put them in aluminum foil and cook on low in the crock-pot for eight hours.

Once cooked, start mashing away (you can skin them first, but I like the skins and Mom always said that's where the vitamins are). Sautee the onions and garlic in butter or margarine, and add them to the potatoes. Pour in milk, add butter, and pepper to taste (I like a lot). You don't have to measure the ingredients, just keep pouring until you get the consistency and flavor you like. I consider this comfort food. It's great for a cold winter day. HINT: Spend the $2 on a potato masher. It will make your life so much easier.

Chili
This is so easy; it only takes one pot. Get ground beef, beans, stewed tomatoes and a chili mix and you are ready to get cooking. Follow the directions on the package and within an hour you have added some spice to your life. I loved to make this and serve it to my friends. It goes a long way on a little budget, about $5 a pot.

Quesadillas
These are quick, yummy, and fun. Buy the large flour tortillas, about $1.50, in the refrigerated section of the store. I suggest freezing half of them unless you plan on eating a ton within a week. Fill with just cheese or add veggies, chicken, whatever you want. You can make these just like a grilled cheese sandwich or pop it in the toaster oven. If you have a good Teflon pan, they you don't even have to use oil or margarine. Serve with salsa, sour cream or guacamole. No more than $5, depending on what you stuff inside.

Spaghetti
If you don't know how to make this, then you don't belong in college. Here's a thought: instead of making the pasta in one pot and sauce in another (like mom always did) just add the sauce to the drained pasta in the pot and let it heat. You've saved yourself a little cleaning time and if you have a hot plate, you've made this meal even easier. Only $2.50 for this treat.

In addition to these cheap and easy recipes, remember to keep the following ingredients on hand.

Parmalat milk in the aseptic boxes (think juice boxes for cows): It's great to keep on hand if you don't drink a lot of milk. Each box (8oz) is about enough for one meal and the shelf life is a lot longer than the milk you've had in the back of the fridge for a month. A three-pack is $1.49.

Popcorn: My dad told me that even if you are dying of starvation and can't afford a meal, popcorn is cheap. Eat enough and drink some water and it expands in your stomach. Plus it's great study food. It's $1.29.

Pasta, pasta, pasta: There is so much you can do with pasta, besides adding tomato sauce. Try butter and garlic. Or one of my favorites (I got this from my dad and I know it sounds really strange, but I assure you it is a hit) fried spaghetti. Cook it as usual drain it. Put it in a pan with a bit of oil and just enough soy sauce to give it the flavor. I lived off of this stuff for a summer. A box of spaghetti is 69 cents.

Egg beaters: You'll find these in the freezer section. If you don't use eggs often, keep them in the freezer. They are there for you when you need them. Two boxes is $1.99.

Biscuits: The kind in the can. You can put these in the toaster oven and sprinkle sugar on them if you want something sweet. Only 99 cents per can.

Good Ol' Mac and Cheese: They are so cheap and easy, how can you live without it? The store brand is 45 cents a box.

Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Salt: Trust me on this. It adds flavor to anything. And if you sprinkle some on pita bread with a bit of butter and toast, it makes great chips. $1.29 and it will last forever.

Of course the proper kitchen tools always help:

Toaster ovens sure beat the Easy Bake oven from the old school and they only cost $40 at Service Merchandise.. One thing I never realized is that they work just like a real oven. You can make cookies, cakes, anything in them. Just trust me, the box of taco shells isn't kidding when they say not to put them in there. Take my word on it. Be sure to watch the toaster oven closely, because it can be a fire hazard especially in such small places as a dorm room.

Crock-Pots are the greatest invention for someone on the go. The cook slowly and can be left home alone all day. You can get one as cheap as $20 on sale at Service Merchandise and they come with a cookbook full of ideas.

A good knife is a must have according to Carole Raymond, of Portland, Ore., author of Student's Vegetarian Cookbook: Quick, Easy, Economical and Great Tasting. She also suggests getting cheap non-stick cookware. When it wears out, you can just replace it.

Don't be afraid to try something new. Cooking is a "learn by doing" trade. What's the worst that can happen ... you burn down the dorm? Well, you can say you gave it the old college try, but don't blame me when the roof is on fire.

-- Updated: Feb. 17, 2004