Eating on a college budget is difficult enough without the tempting smell of Panda Express filling up the halls of the Memorial Union or fundraisers at Panera and Orange Leaf every other week.

Break out mom’s old slow cooker for meals that are just as good as takeout, without the guilt of paying a premium price.

Slow-cooker meals usually require more than one serving to cook at a time, leaving plenty for leftovers.

They are not only easy to throw together but are also cozy and comforting.

Honey sesame chicken – 6 servings

Skip Panda for a week and try this sweet honey-flavored dish instead. Serve with rice for the full effect.

Ingredients

• 1 small, diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Salt and pepper
• 1 green onion, for garnish
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions

1. Add onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vegetable oil and red pepper to bowl.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper and then place into slow cooker.

3. Add honey mixture and gently toss over the chicken.

4. Cover and cook on low for three hours and 30 minutes.

5. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred before returning.

6. Cover and keep warm for another 30 minutes.

7. Garnish chicken with green onions and sesame seeds.

Potato Soup – 6 servings

Homemade potato soup is better than a can and cheaper than Panera. This simple soup can stand as a meal on its own and provides a hardy serving of starches, dairy and protein.

Ingredients

• 30-ounce bag hash browns
• 32-ounce box chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 3 ounces bacon bits
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Place hash browns in slow cooker.

2. Add chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and half of the bacon bits.

3. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

4. Cook soup on low for seven to eight hours until potatoes are tender.

5. An hour before serving, cut cream cheese into small cubes and add to slow cooker.

6. Stir throughout the remaining time to mix in cream cheese.

7. Serve with cheddar cheese and bacon bits on top.

Apple Crisp – 6 servings

Ditch the frozen yogurt for a fall favorite. This treat not only tastes delicious but also makes a dorm or apartment smell like a fresh bakery.

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups sliced apples
• 1 cup oats
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup regular sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• ¾ cup butter

Directions

1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray, then line with apple slices.

2. Melt butter and mix with remaining ingredients.

3. Pour mixture over apples.

4. Cook on high for three hours.