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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