Ramen Noodles and EZ-Mac shouldn’t be the only staples in a college student’s kitchen. Lets face it, besides easy, prepackaged meals many of us have no idea what exactly what we should be stocking our cupboards with. For all of you who empathize with this, the following is a general guideline for what you might need to pick up on your next trip to the grocery store. 


Baking Staples: Flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa powder are the most common ingredients used in baking. Your kitchen should contain most of these items, as they are often required in all types of recipes.


Fats and Oils: Butter, cooking spray, olive and vegetable oil have multiple purposes and are used for everything from sautéing vegetables to making your favorite chocolate chip cookies.


Spices: Cinnamon, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and red pepper can help add some flavor to most dishes. Depending on your taste preferences and... 

cooking style, you may want to go for more spicy or zesty options.


Dairy: Milk and different varieties of cheese can make a great addition to your refrigerator, and lets be honest, grilled cheese and your morning bowl of cereal really wouldn’t be the same without them.


Grains: Breads, cereals and pastas are definitely staples of any kitchen. They help to make any meal heartier, and while whole grain options are a better choice, they tend to be a little more expensive.


Meat: Ground beef and chicken are two really great things to always have on hand. Easy to take out and defrost, they are simple to store and prepare, and go with almost any meal. Eggs are also a common kitchen staple for breakfast dishes and also as a common baking ingredient.


Fruits and Vegetables: It’s nice to have fresh fruits and vegetables readily at hand, but the canned equivalent works great too. However, having both fresh and canned fruits and veggies in your kitchen is definitely a good idea. 


Other: Not to be forgotten, spreads such as cream cheese and peanut butter and jelly are always useful to have in your pantry. They make great toppings on toast and bagels and are helpful in creating a quick meal to take on the go or pack for later.