Student Cooking

What should I cook as a student?

There are many cheap, easy, tasty meals you can make as a student that don't require too much prep or other fuss in the kitchen. These include:

• Homemade pizza
• Roast sausages/meat and vegetables
• Lasagne (meat or vegetarian)
• Stir fried chicken, rice and peas
• Indian or Thai curry
• Spaghetti bolognese or spaghetti carbonara
• Homemade pot noodle
• Salmon pasta
• Fajitas and nachos
• Pasta bake
• Lamb flatbreads.

For lots more delicious yet simple ideas, take a look at our student recipes guide.

How should students eat on a budget?

While it may be tempting to live on junk food or grab a takeaway, it's important to stay healthy as a student. Not only will this keep you in tip top condition for studying and attending lectures, but will help your bank balance too!

Cooking meals from scratch every day might seem like a chore, but it doesn't have to be this way - just take a look at our student recipes guide, which has lots of ideas of quick, healthy meals that will keep you going throughout the day.

This doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to a meal out now and again, but is the best option in the long run if you are going to survive university for the next few years physically, mentally and financially.

What herbs and spices can I use in my student cooking?

Herbs and spices can be used to enhance and balance the flavour of your dishes, and make something taste more delicious that would otherwise be quite plain. These include:

• Basil
• Chives
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

as well as many others! Take a look at our Student Cooking Seasoning Guide for more detailed information on how to use them.

What can I cook cheaply as a student?

There are lots of tasty meals you can make on a budget. These include:

• Macaroni cheese
• Jacket potatoes
• Chilli
• Fish pie
• Cottage pie
• Vegetable pasta bake
• Black bean or pork stir fry
• Noodles
• Lasagne
• Fajitas
• Pizza
• Tacos
• Omlettes
• Tortilla bowls
• Flatbreads
• Gnocchi
• Chicken tray bake.

Hopefully these recipes will give you some ideas of how you can eat cheaply as a student, yet still enjoy delicious meals!

What else do I need for student cooking?

As well as a good set of recipes and some herbs and spices, you'll also need the correct cooking utensils.

Some of the essentials include:

• Frying pan
• Saucepans
• Spatula
• Wooden spoons
• Vegetable peeler
• Tin opener
• Chopping board
• Cheese grater.

Take a look at our student utensils guide for more information on what you might need in the kitchen to make your cooking a success.