By Megan O’Connell, Alumna of University of Wisconsin-Platteville

In between sporting events, greek life activities, parties, homework and everything else in between, the weekend gives students a time to relax from the stressful week.The impatience of getting to enjoy Friday night’s can always tend to leave student’s skipping dinner; we’re all guilty of it. Sometimes even just grabbing a snack or drinking our dinner.

Katy Albrecht, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is herself, guilty herself of skipping Friday night dinners when she has to work but admits that she feels a lot better when she eats dinner. Albrecht says:

“I only skip Friday night dinner when I work that night. I feel better when I eat a well-balanced dinner. Skipping makes me feel lethargic. Advice that I learned from my mom is too much is never too much. Leftovers are your friend.”

Below are five quick and easy Friday night dinners that will help get your weekend off to a healthy start, and many of them will leave you with leftovers to last you through the weekend!

This recipe is from Jessica Weber, an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Weber advises making sure you eat healthy to help deal with stress. “It’s important to eat healthy and drink lots of water, especially when we’re stressed…and what college student isn’t stressed? Fruits and veggies can help keep us healthy too when we aren’t getting enough sleep and our immune systems are compromised,” said Weber.

Veggie Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

1 cup veggies of your choice

½ cup of your favorite stir-fry sauce

1 cup rice

Directions:

1) Toss your veggies in a frying pan on medium heat for about 5 minutes. If your veggies are frozen they might need a few additional minutes.

2) Boil some water and cook your rice according to the package.

3) Add the stir fry sauce to your veggies and cook for a few more minutes.

4) Place your veggies on top of the rice and enjoy!

From Alyssa Bloechl, an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Bloechl advises students to set aside time to eat. “Set aside a time in their schedule everyday. They may not be the same times, but it’s better to have an idea. Also, plan what and where you want to eat in the morning with yourself, friends or significant other,” suggests Bloechl.

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

1 pound hamburger meat

½ cup diced green pepper

½ cup diced onions

8 oz. can tomato sauce

¼ cup ketchup

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. sugar

1 ½ tsps. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

Dash of pepper

Directions:

1) Brown hamburger meat with onions and peppers on stove over high heat.

2) Drain

3) Add all other ingredients and stir. Let simmer for 10-12 minutes.

4) Serve on buns.

Parmesan Chicken Squares

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked diced chicken (Could use store bought rotisserie chicken and shred 2 cups.)

3 oz. soft cream cheese

1 tbsp. melted butter

Salt, pepper and garlic salt to taste

1 package crescent dinner rolls

1 tbsp. melted butter

4 tbsp. parmesan cheese

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend cream cheese and 1 tbsp. melted butter.

2) Add chicken, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Set mixture aside.

3) Unroll your package of crescent rolls and divide into 4 squares, sealing the perforations to form squares.

4) Place ½ cup chicken mixture into center of each crescent roll square and draw up four corners to seal.

5) Brush tops with 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

7) Bake for 20-25 minutes.

This recipe is from Lizzy Quinn, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Quinn’s advice to students is to host a dinner with friends! “Just this year (my final one at that) me and my roommates, who are three of my best friends, make it a point to have a family dinner every Monday, and we each take turns cooking a great meal. Invite a friend or a couple if you have food to share and you know you won’t be able to eat it all yourself! Who’s really going to turn down a free meal in college when someone is going to cook it for you too,” added Quinn. Lizzy recommends frying some potatoes and adding a veggie to go with the dish!

Seasoned Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

1 Chicken Breast (Or more depending on how many people you are cooking for!)

1 tbsp. butter

Pinch of Salt

Pinch of Pepper

Pinch of Garlic Powder

Pinch of Parsley

Directions:

1) Melt the butter in a large pan on the stove.

2) Coat both sides of your chicken breast with seasonings.

3) Add chicken to pan. Cook on Medium-High Heat for 20-30 minutes on the stove top.

4) Make sure your chicken is completely done before eating!

This recipe is from Breanna Brugger, a student at Globe University in Green Bay, WI. “Make sure you have a plan of what you’re going to make and make sure you have everything you need,” advises Brugger on the subject of of making sure you don’t skip dinner. Brugger recommends serving garlic bread with the baked ravioli

Baked Ravioli

Ingredients:

1 package frozen ravioli

1 jar spaghetti sauce

Shredded mozzarella cheese to top

Directions:

1) Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place your frozen ravioli in a small baking dish.

2) Top with one jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce.

3) Top with shredded mozzarella and bake, covered for 30 minutes. Remove the tinfoil and bake for another 15-20 minutes.