Wait one second! There is some chicken in the fridge and rice in your cabinet. All you have to do is add some carrots and you have an inexpensive, gourmet meal in about a half an hour.

Most cookbooks make it seem as though it takes a lot of time and energy to prepare a healthy meal. But cooking a good tasting meal can be easy, fast and does not even require much planning. While students don't have much time to shop for food or prepare meals, they can make good-tasting food.

Students who want quick and good meals inexpensively need go no further. Most of the following recipes can be prepared in an apartment, dorm or house as long as there is some heating source. Microwaves come in handy for re-heating food if there is one available. Gas and electric ranges work well, too.

Chico State University student Eric Skiff knows all too well the paradox that meals such as Top Ramen present. Skiff said that he eats Top Ramen several times a day but wishes he didn't have to.

"I have a love-hate relationship with Ramen," Skiff said. "It's cheap and easy but at the same time I've had it with it."

There is hope though. With just a little creativity and an inexpensive trip to the grocery store, students can eat well and still do well in school.

So, if you need some additional time to cram for your next test but would like to eat a decent meal, try a couple of these recipes.