Cait Mokros 

Fall is here and there are cozy recipes for you to make that won’t break the bank! These foods are perfect for a cold day when you’re looking for something affordable and fun to make or if you need a dish to take to an upcoming holiday party! The recipes use cost effective ingredients for college students to be able to make. The recipes are also vegetarian friendly!

Roasted Butternut Squash 

If you’re looking for a delicious side to bring to a party or a side to enjoy at home, roasted butternut squash is affordable and a fall favorite.

Ingredients:

-Butternut squash (2-3lbs)

-Olive oil

-Pure maple syrup 

-Seasoning: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves 

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350. Peel skin off butternut squash and cut in half. Scoop out seeds and then cut into bite sized pieces. Toss squash in a bowl with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and maple syrup. Put squash onto oven safe dish in a single layer and put onto center rack in oven. Let cook for 45 minutes (or until squash is soft enough for fork to go through.) Let cool for five minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

If you’re looking for a cozy dinner to make for yourself or for your friends and family, broccoli cheddar orzo is a perfect meal. 

Ingredients:

-1 cup orzo

-1 cup chopped carrots

-2 cups chopped broccoli 

-1 cup vegetable broth

-1 tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted)

-1/2 cup heavy cream

-1/2 cup shredded cheddar

-Seasoning: salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic 

Instructions: Once stove is heated on medium heat, add butter to your pan. Once butter is melted, add chopped carrots, uncooked orzo, and seasoning. Cover carrots and orzo with vegetable broth and let simmer for 5 minutes, then add chopped broccoli. Once a fork can go through broccoli, add heavy cream and cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and everything is combined. Serve and enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

If you’re craving a sweet treat at the end of a cool fall day or an easy dessert to bring to a party, chocolate peanut butter fudge is great for fall!

Ingredients:

-1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi sweet)

-1 10 oz bag of Reese’s peanut butter chips 

-1 tablespoon of smooth peanut butter

-1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk 

Instructions:

In a baking pan (any size will work), line with parchment paper. In one bowl, combine one bag of chocolate chips and half a can of sweetened condensed milk (7 oz). Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate chips and condensed milk are completely combined and smooth. Pour into the baking dish and flatten. In another bowl, combine one bag of peanut butter chips, one tablespoon of smooth peanut butter, and the other half of the can of sweetened condensed milk (7 oz). Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and condensed milk are completely combined and smooth. Pour over the layer of chocolate chips and condensed milk and flatten as well. Let cool in the fridge for 3 hours, put onto a plate, and cut into bite sized pieces and you’re ready to serve! If there are leftovers, they can be frozen in a bag and thawed out.