Published: October 8, 2009

Kick-starting a series of easy takeout meals you can make at home is this classic diner dish. College students commonly order burgers in restaurants and for delivery, but making them at home is cheaper and healthier.

A cheeseburger deluxe at The Flame costs $8.75, not including tax and tip. A homemade burger costs easily half that, depending on the type of cheese and bread you use. The ground beef at Whole Foods will be in the two-dollar range, and two medium potatoes cost a whopping 75 cents.

Cooking at home also gives you more control over where the meat comes from and how the dish is prepared. Since the potatoes are baked, they are much less fatty and greasy than the fried ones you will get from a restaurant. Try experimenting with other meats, like ground lamb, different cheeses like Comte, Manchego and Gruyere, or even substitute sweet potatoes!

At this price (and if you’re over 21), you can add a local beer or split a bottle of red wine with a friend and still spend less than if you ate out!