Eggplant and Spicy Pork Lasagna with Homemade Noodles and Italian Bread

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Gourmet Cooking on a College Budget
Episode 1 Recipe Overview and Meal Prep Plan


Homemade Buddha Hand Marmalade
Small Batch Artisanal Citrus Preserve

Ingredients
Buddha hand citron
Sugar
Water

Notes
This is a homemade marmalade made from Buddha hand citrus, a highly aromatic and non standard fruit that is rarely mass produced. When paired with buttered sourdough toast, eggs, and bacon, it creates a gourmet breakfast experience on a small batch budget. Store in clean jars and refrigerate.

Best Uses
Toast with butter
Breakfast spreads
Gift jars


Simple Chicken Stock for Chicken Noodle Soup
Budget Friendly Base for Multiple Meals

Ingredients
Whole chicken
Celery
Carrots
Onion
Water
Salt

Notes
Rendered chicken fat skimmed from chilled stock is referred to as chefs gold and is saved for cooking. The stock is planned as a base for chicken noodle soup and other meals throughout the week.

Budget Tip
Making stock from a whole chicken stretches groceries across multiple meals.


Spinach Garlic Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Vegetarian Budget Burger Alternative

Ingredients
Portobello mushroom caps
Spinach
Garlic
Feta cheese
Optional roasted red pepper

Notes
Portobello caps are used instead of meat to create a filling burger style meal. Spinach and garlic are sautéed and topped with feta cheese for a rich flavor without the cost of meat.

Suggested Side
Brussels sprouts or roasted vegetables


Easy College Budget Lasagna with Homemade Noodles
Foolproof High Yield Meal

Ingredients
Italian sausage
Tomatoes or canned tomato products
Marinara sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Cheddar cheese
Eggplant optional
Eggs
Flour

Notes
This lasagna is designed to be simple, inexpensive, and filling. Homemade egg noodles are used instead of store bought pasta. The dish can be divided into portions and reheated in a pan instead of a microwave.

Meal Prep Value
Half a lasagna feeds multiple days
Freezer friendly when portioned


Sweet and Sour Pineapple Chicken
Simple Asian Inspired Budget Dinner

Ingredients
Chicken
Pineapple
Bell pepper
Onion

Notes
This dish uses fresh pineapple for natural sweetness and works well with leftover chicken. Ideal for stretching protein across several meals.


Homemade Egg Rolls
Low Cost High Volume Cooking

Ingredients
Cabbage
Carrots
Green onions
Egg roll wrappers

Notes
Homemade egg rolls are planned using fresh vegetables and cabbage. This is a cost effective way to produce multiple meals from inexpensive ingredients.


Chocolate Chip Cookies
Basic Comfort Baking on a Budget

Ingredients
Butter
Sugar
Flour
Chocolate chips

Notes
Butter is left out to soften before baking. This is a simple dessert option that pairs well with budget meal planning.


College Budget Cooking Philosophy
Buy fresh ingredients
Avoid vacuum sealed and ultra processed foods
Cook in batches
Reuse leftovers
Pan reheat instead of microwave


Upcoming Episodes
Homemade lasagna noodles from scratch
Chicken stock and noodle soup
Egg rolls step by step
Asian inspired budget meals


Simple Lasagna With Homemade Noodles
Gourmet Cooking on a College Budget Episode One


Homemade Lasagna Noodles From Scratch
Easy College Friendly Pasta Dough

Ingredients
2 eggs
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 to 2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon cold water

Why This Works
Homemade noodles are cheaper than boxed pasta, taste better, and give you full control over texture and thickness. One egg makes roughly one large noodle sheet, so two eggs gives enough for a simple two layer lasagna.

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Crack the eggs into a bowl.
  2. Add the kosher salt and whisk until fully combined.
  3. Add about one tablespoon of cold water to soften the dough slightly.
  4. Begin adding flour slowly, mixing with a fork or fingers.
  5. Continue adding flour until a soft dough forms that is not sticky.
  6. Knead the dough on a floured surface for several minutes until smooth.
  7. Cover and let rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
  8. Roll the dough thin and cut into lasagna sized sheets.

Cooking Note
These noodles can be used fresh without boiling if baked directly in the lasagna with enough sauce. For softer noodles, briefly parboil before layering.


Simple College Budget Lasagna Assembly
Flexible Two Layer Version

Core Ingredients
Homemade lasagna noodles
Italian sausage
Tomato sauce or marinara
Mozzarella cheese
Cheddar cheese
Optional eggplant

Assembly Overview

  1. Add sauce to the bottom of the pan.
  2. Lay down the first sheet of homemade noodles.
  3. Add cooked sausage and optional vegetables.
  4. Add cheese and sauce.
  5. Repeat for the second layer.
  6. Finish with cheese on top.

Bake until bubbly and browned.


College Budget Cooking Philosophy
Make ingredients instead of buying them
Stretch meals across multiple days
Cook from scratch to save money
Learn skills that compound over time


Search Keywords Naturally Targeted
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homemade lasagna noodles
cheap college meals from scratch
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gourmet cooking on a budget


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