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Writer's pictureGary Clarke

20 Basic Recipes for Students





Being a student can make it difficult to find time for cooking, especially when dealing with a hectic schedule and limited funds. That's why we have compiled a selection of 20 essential recipes tailored for students to simplify your life. These quick and satisfying meals are ideal for busy days. Whether you seek cost-effective cooking suggestions or straightforward recipes, this assortment has everything you need.



1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

  • Ingredients:

    • 200g spaghetti

    • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

    • 60ml olive oil

    • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

    • Salt, to taste

    • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

  • Instructions:

    • Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain.

    • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

    • Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until garlic is golden brown.

    • Toss cooked spaghetti in the garlic oil.

    • Season with salt and garnish with parsley if desired.

2. Vegetable Stir-Fry

  • Ingredients:

    • 100g broccoli florets

    • 1 bell pepper, sliced

    • 1 carrot, julienned

    • 30ml soy sauce

    • 15ml olive oil

    • 1 clove garlic, minced

    • 1 tsp grated ginger (optional)

  • Instructions:

    • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

    • Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.

    • Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.

    • Add soy sauce and cook for another minute. Serve hot.

3. Cheese Toasties

  • Ingredients:

    • 2 slices of bread

    • 2 slices of cheese (cheddar or your choice)

    • Butter, for spreading

  • Instructions:

    • Butter one side of each slice of bread.

    • Place cheese between the unbuttered sides.

    • Heat a pan over medium heat and toast each side of the sandwich until golden brown and cheese is melted.

4. Chicken Caesar Wrap

  • Ingredients:

    • 1 cooked chicken breast, sliced

    • 1 large tortilla wrap

    • 30ml Caesar dressing

    • 50g romaine lettuce, chopped

    • 15g grated Parmesan cheese

  • Instructions:

    • Lay out the tortilla wrap and spread Caesar dressing.

    • Add chicken slices, lettuce, and Parmesan cheese.

    • Roll up the wrap tightly and cut in half.

5. Omelette

  • Ingredients:

    • 2 eggs

    • 30ml milk

    • Salt and pepper, to taste

    • 25g grated cheese

    • 30g chopped vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, mushrooms)

  • Instructions:

    • Whisk eggs with milk, salt, and pepper.

    • Heat a pan and pour in the egg mixture.

    • Cook until edges are set, then add cheese and vegetables.

    • Fold the omelette in half and cook until cheese melts.

6. Tuna Pasta Salad

  • Ingredients:

    • 200g pasta

    • 1 can tuna, drained

    • 80g frozen peas, thawed

    • 60g mayonnaise

    • 15ml lemon juice

    • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Instructions:

    • Cook pasta according to package instructions and let cool.

    • Mix pasta with tuna, peas, mayonnaise, and lemon juice.

    • Season with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

7. Simple Chilli

  • Ingredients:

    • 400g chopped tomatoes

    • 400g kidney beans, drained

    • 300g corn, drained

    • 1 onion, diced

    • 1 clove garlic, minced

    • 15g chilli powder

    • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Instructions:

    • Cook onion and garlic in a pot over medium heat until softened.

    • Add chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, corn, and chilli powder.

    • Simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Vegetable Soup

  • Ingredients:

    • 1 carrot, diced

    • 1 potato, diced

    • 1 onion, diced

    • 1 litre vegetable stock

    • 100g chopped celery

    • 400g diced tomatoes

    • 1g dried thyme

  • Instructions:

    • Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in a pot until softened.

    • Add potato, stock, diced tomatoes, and thyme.

    • Simmer until vegetables are tender.

9. Egg Fried Rice

  • Ingredients:

    • 320g cooked rice (preferably cold)

    • 2 eggs, beaten

    • 80g frozen peas

    • 30ml soy sauce

    • 15ml olive oil

    • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • Instructions:

    • Heat oil in a pan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

    • Add peas and cook for another 2 minutes.

    • Push peas to the side and scramble eggs in the pan.

    • Add rice and soy sauce, mix well and heat through.

10. Chicken Quesadillas

  • Ingredients:

    • 2 tortillas

    • 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded

    • 50g grated cheese

    • 30g salsa

  • Instructions:

    • Place one tortilla in a hot pan.

    • Sprinkle half the cheese on the tortilla, then add chicken and salsa.

    • Top with remaining cheese and the second tortilla.

    • Cook until the tortilla is golden brown and cheese is melted, flipping halfway.

11. Yoghurt and Fruit Parfait

  • Ingredients:

    • 240g plain yoghurt

    • 60g granola

    • 80g mixed berries

  • Instructions:

    • Layer yoghurt, granola, and berries in a glass.

    • Repeat layers and serve immediately.

12. Beef Tacos

  • Ingredients:

    • 250g minced beef

    • 1 taco seasoning mix

    • 6 taco shells

    • 30g shredded lettuce

    • 50g grated cheese

    • 80g salsa

  • Instructions:

    • Cook minced beef in a pan until browned. Drain fat.

    • Stir in taco seasoning and water (as per packet instructions).

    • Fill taco shells with beef, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.

13. Stuffed Bell Peppers

  • Ingredients:

    • 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed

    • 160g cooked rice

    • 400g chopped tomatoes

    • 50g grated cheese

    • 80g cooked minced beef or sausage (optional)

  • Instructions:

    • Preheat oven to 180°C.

    • Mix rice, tomatoes, and cooked meat.

    • Stuff peppers with the mixture and top with cheese.

    • Bake for 25 minutes.

14. Pita Bread Pizza

  • Ingredients:

    • 2 pita bread

    • 120g tomato sauce

    • 50g grated cheese

    • Toppings of choice (e.g., pepperoni, bell peppers, onions)

  • Instructions:

    • Preheat oven to 200°C.

    • Spread tomato sauce on pita bread.

    • Add cheese and toppings.

    • Bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

15. Fried Egg Sandwich

  • Ingredients:

    • 2 slices of bread

    • 1 egg

    • Butter or oil, for frying

    • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Instructions:

    • Heat butter or oil in a pan and fry the egg until the white is set.

    • Season with salt and pepper.

    • Place the egg between slices of bread and serve.

16. Baked Beans on Toast

  • Ingredients:

    • 410g baked beans

    • 2 slices of bread

  • Instructions:

    • Toast the bread slices.

    • Heat baked beans in a saucepan.

    • Serve beans over the toasted bread.

17. Pasta with Tomato Sauce

  • Ingredients:

    • 200g pasta

    • 400g tomato sauce

    • 1 clove garlic, minced

    • 15ml olive oil

    • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Instructions:

    • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.

    • Heat olive oil and garlic in a pan.

    • Add tomato sauce and cook for 5 minutes.

    • Toss pasta in the sauce and season with salt and pepper.

18. Fruit Smoothie

  • Ingredients:

    • 1 banana

    • 80g frozen berries

    • 120g yoghurt

    • 120ml milk

  • Instructions:

    • Blend all ingredients until smooth.

    • Serve immediately.

19. Microwave Mug Cake

  • Ingredients:

    • 30g flour

    • 50g sugar

    • 15g cocoa powder

    • 0.5g baking powder (approximately 1/8 tsp)

    • 45ml milk

    • 30ml vegetable oil

    • 1ml vanilla extract (approximately 1/4 tsp)

  • Instructions:

    • Mix all dry ingredients in a mug.

    • Add milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

    • Microwave for 1-2 minutes until cooked through.

20. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich

  • Ingredients:

    • 2 slices of bread

    • 30g cream cheese

    • 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced

  • Instructions:

    • Spread cream cheese on one side of each slice of bread.

    • Layer cucumber slices on one slice of bread.

    • Top with the other slice and cut into halves.


Check out our cool student-friendly recipes with cheap ingredients that won't empty your wallet. You can cook up tasty and healthy meals without slaving away in the kitchen. Whether you need something quick in under 30 minutes or a hearty meal to keep you going, we've got you covered. These recipes are perfect for busy students like you. Say goodbye to mealtime stress and make cooking a breeze. Dive into these easy and budget-friendly meal ideas to simplify your student life. Bon appétit! 🍽️

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