I know, I know, it’s hard to make a student dinner that isn’t just box mac n’ cheese or instant ramen sometimes. But these 5 student dinners are delish, easy and relatively cheap – they’ll make you WANT to come home and chef it up! Try any of these meals for just lil ol’ you, a cute stay-at-home date, or a dinner to impress your friends!
1. French Onion Soup
This French onion soup recipe is easy, quick and oh so delicious! Craving a hot bowl of something? Want it to be cheesy and gooey? This recipe is for you! Usually, French onion soup requires a special ramekin bowl, but this version is much simpler.
Recipe:
Chop two onions and into rings and cook them with butter and 1 teaspoon of sugar for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add one tablespoon of flour, half cup of white wine, three cups of beef broth, and simmer for another 10 minutes. Top some baguette slices with any cheese you like (typically it’s gruyere), grill it in a pan with butter until its golden, and it’s the perfect garnish for your soup!
2. Shakshuka
There are many, many, many different ways to make shakshuka, and while this recipe will definitely not be the most authentic, it sure is tasty! This dish will impress anyone – it looks beautiful and is SO GOOD! Works for any meal!
Recipe:
Heat some olive oil in a frying pan (make sure you have a lid), then add two chopped red onions, one deseeded and chopped red chili, one chopped garlic clove, and the chopped stalks of a bunch of cilantro (save the leaves and chop them separately!). Cook for five minutes until all is soft, then add two 400g cans of tomatoes, and one teaspoon of sugar. Bubble for 8-10 minutes until all is thick. Use the back of a large spoon and make four indents in the sauce – now crack an egg in each one! Turn the heat down to low, and cook with the lid on, until the eggs are done as you like. Sprinkle with the cilantro leaves, feta cheese, and serve with crusty bread!
Note: You can add just about any vegetables you like to this! Try it with kale or another leafy dark green – add when you add the tomatoes!
3. Rice Noodles With Mushrooms And Bok Choy
This dish is oh so satisfying and you can experiment with it in a whole lotta ways! Cook it up for anyone – so easy to make a big portion! This is the hearty and yummy take-away-style dinner you can make for yourself!
Recipe:
Add a tablespoon of minced ginger, a tablespoon of honey, three and a half tablespoons of soy sauce and a cup of beef broth to a skillet – let bubble until it’s a sauce that’s as reduced as you want it. Chop up some bok choy and mushrooms with some garlic and add it to a pan for about 5 minutes, until soft. Cook some rice noodles according to their package, and when drained, mix them with your sauce and the vegetables. Top with scallions and you’re good to go!
Note: Sesame seeds, sesame oil, kimchi and sriracha do wonders for this dish. Top your finished product with any of these, or anything else that strikes your fancy!
4. Jamie Oliver’s Rustic Gnocchi!
Gnocchi is seriously soooooo easy to make and so filling! This version is one of the simplest you can find – dare I say, rustic? While it might take a bitty, this is such a fun dish to make with your friends and is so impressive! Also – it’s so freaking delicious!
Recipe:
Get 400g of floury potatoes and cut them up into three centimetre chunks. Cook in a large pot of boiling salted water, twelve minutes or until tender. Drain and dry the potatoes, then mash them back in the pan. Season with salt and black pepper, then pour onto a clean work area. Scrunch 50g of flour up with the potato, and divide it into about 24 smaller pieces. Squeeze them in the palm of your hand into an uneven shape, the drop into a pot of boiling water until it rises to the top – about one minute. Serve with any sauce you like!
5. Pan Roasted Chicken With Olives, Capers And Tomatoes
Ohhhhh yes, this is a big ol’ sheet pan dinner that is to dieeee for. So yummy and simple, and perfect for any occasion! You can make this in advance too, if you need to do some week meal prep! Roast chicken is also good as a sandwich, in soup, or whatever else you could want!
Recipe:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees celsius. Pat four chicken thighs dry and season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place in an oiled baking pan with chopped garlic, whole cherry tomatoes, any olives you like, and capers (add as many as you like for any of these). Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, then flip chicken, and cook until done. Serve with chopped parsley and maybe some pasta!
