The top five easiest student recipes

We all know that living on a student budget isn’t always easy. That doesn’t mean that you can't prepare healthy, nutritious, and tasty food to keep you going through those long nights of studying. We’ve compiled a list of some favourite student recipes that won’t drain your bank account. Some you may be familiar with, while others could be new to you. We look at these go-to student meals, what ingredients you’ll need and how to prepare them.

Macaroni cheese

Often called the ultimate comfort food, macaroni cheese combines pasta, cheese, flour, milk, and butter. It’s also a flexible meal because you can include additional ingredients to add to the base, such as vegetables or meat.

Some of the reasons why students love macaroni cheese are because it makes quite a few portions, keeps well, and can be re-heated. It is also great with several different sauces. So, what will you need to make it? Here are the ingredients for one portion:

• Two handfuls of macaroni pasta
• 100 ml of milk
• One tablespoon of flour
• A handful of cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• A tablespoon of butter

Next on to the preparation, which is very easy:

1. Boil some water.
2. Add the macaroni to the boiling water for seven to eight minutes.
3. Drain your macaroni.
4. Place the macaroni in a saucepan on low heat.
5. Add your butter.
6. Slowly work in your flour and milk (the amount of each will determine how thick it is).
7. Add your cheese.
8. Add your mix to an oven dish and cover with an extra handful of cheese.
9. Place in the oven for 15 minutes.

Find out how to survive university on a student budget.

Halloumi fajitas

Don’t be discouraged by what may seem like a complicated dish to prepare. Trust us, it’s not. Halloumi fajitas are healthy, fresh, and packed with flavour. Plus, these fajitas are also a great vegetarian choice. Added to this is that they’re quick to prepare, look great, and work well for a get together with new friends. A great conversation starter.

What you’ll need:

• 400g block or sliced halloumi cheese
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• Eight small tortilla wraps
• A red onion
• A teaspoon of paprika
• Two red peppers
• Two cloves of garlic
• One lime (juiced)
• Coriander
• One avocado
• Chilli sauce or sour cream

We know it may seem like a lot of ingredients, but the preparation takes about 30 minutes. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Cut your halloumi into good-sized strips and fry on each side until golden. Set aside.
2. Cut and fry your onion and peppers.
3. Add your garlic and paprika.
4. Pour in the lime juice and add your halloumi back
5. Warm your wraps. About 15 seconds on each side in a pan usually works.
6. Add your halloumi mix to the wrap.
7. Place your avocado slices on top.
8. Garnish with coriander
9. Add your chilli sauce or sour cream, or both!

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Omelettes

The humble egg is a mainstay for most international students. Eggs are sometimes called the perfect meal as they contain Omega-3 acids, protein, vitamin A and E, and good fats. The other plus side is that they’re not expensive. Eggs can be enjoyed in several ways but, our pick for versatility and taste is the vegetarian omelette.

You’ll require a simple set of ingredients:

• Three eggs
• 30ml of milk
• Butter
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• Two mushrooms
• A handful of spinach leaves
• 30g of grated low-fat cheese
• Salt and pepper

 To get the perfect omelette follow these easy steps:

1. Place a teaspoon of butter in a hot frying pan.
2. Add your spinach and cook for two minutes. Once done remove the spinach from the pan.
3. Beat your eggs and milk together in a bowl.
4. Pour the eggs into the pan and spread evenly.
5. Wait for 20 to 30 seconds for the eggs to start bubbling.
6. Start drawing the sides of the eggs together around the pan using a spatula
7. Next, add your cheese, spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
8. Cook for 45 seconds to a minute.
9. Remove the pan from the stove and fold the open edges of the omelette over.
10. Turn out upside down onto your plate.

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Vegetarian noodle stir fry

An easy to cook and nutritious dish, vegetarian noodle stir fry should be in your student recipe book. You can use a variety of vegetables and alter the proportions depending on how much you need. It tastes amazing and is also budget-friendly.

Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll require to make it:

• 150 grams of egg noodles
• Two cloves of garlic
• One large carrot (finely chopped)
• One yellow pepper
• Two spring onions
• 100 grams of peas
• Two tablespoons of soy sauce
• One piece of fresh ginger

Next, it’s time to turn on the stove or hot plate and start cooking. This should take about 10 minutes:

1. Add one tablespoon of vegetable or sunflower oil to your frying pan.
2. Lightly fry your ginger, carrot, peas, and yellow pepper. Cook for two to three minutes.
3. Next, add your onions, garlic, and noodles to the pan. Fry for a further two to three minutes
4. Mix in your soy sauce and cook for a further one to two minutes.
5. Serve

Remember that this recipe is quite versatile and so you can add in extra or your favourite vegetables if you want to.

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Minestrone soup 

There isn’t anything quite like a warm and wholesome soup. This recipe is great for colder study destinations like the UK, Canada, and the USA. In addition to being full of flavour, minestrone is also healthy for you. Packed with vegetables, the soup is best eaten with good bread.

If you’re interested in making the soup for yourself, you’ll require:

• One onion
• One clove of garlic
• Four potatoes (diced)
• One tin of chopped tomatoes
• One tin of cannellini beans
• Two stock cubes
• Two finely sliced carrots
• Chopped green beans
• One tablespoon of olive oil
• One tablespoon of tomato puree
• Two litres of boiled water
• A handful of grated parmesan cheese
• Bread

Next to the preparation. It’s useful if you have a large pot for this:

1. Add your olive oil and fry all the vegetables, garlic, and onion for five minutes.
2. Put in your chopped tomatoes, stock cubes, tomato puree and water.
3. Simmer with the lid on for between 30 and 40 minutes.
4. Serve, adding salt and pepper to taste with a bit of parmesan cheese on top.
5. Eat with a nicely toasted baguette or crusty bread.

There are many more student and budget-friendly recipes to explore, but hopefully, you have a better idea of some good options and what is possible. For further information on studying abroad, you can read our guide to applying to a university abroad, how to open a bank account when you arrive, and the 10 questions to ask your university when you arrive.