As students, we’re always looking for a cheap, quick, and easy meal to make after a long day of lectures or a long day of Netflix binging. Whichever it may be (there’s no need to disclose) here are a couple of my personal favourite easy recipes for students to rustle up at the end of the day.

Chicken Fajitas

Great to share with friends or devour by yourself. And most importantly, can be made in one pan. Its an easy win-win. 

Cook Time: 35min

Serves:  3

What you’ll need:

•   Fajita kit: includes the tortillas, some salsa and the chicken’s marinade
•   2 large chicken breasts, finely sliced
• 1 red onion, finely sliced
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• Grated cheese

Method:

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and wrap 6 medium tortillas in foil.
2. Stir the sliced the chicken breasts into the pre-made marinade
3. Throw the chicken, onion, peppers and chili (if you so please) into a heated pan
4. Keep everything moving over high heat for about 5 mins
5. To check the chicken is cooked, find the thickest part and tear in half – if any part is still raw cook until done.
6. Put the tortillas in the oven to heat up and serve with the cooked chicken, salsa and cheese.

Spaghetti Bolognese

An easy homemade hearty meal that will remind you of home – and how much you miss your mums cooking. 

Cook Time: 40min    

Serves: 2

What you’ll need: 

• 200g of spaghetti (or just throw in as much as you please – who cares?) 
• 1 diced onion 
• A bottle of tomato pasta sauce
• 100g of beef mince 
• Cheese (of course) 
• Olive oil 
• Salt and pepper

Method: 

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and once hot add the beef mince and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the mince until brown then transfer the mince to a bowl and set aside.
2. Add another tablespoon of oil to the saucepan and fry onions for 5 minutes until soft. Add the mince to the onions. 
3. Add the tomato sauce to the pan and stir well to mix.
4. When ready to cook the spaghetti, heat a large saucepan of water and add a pinch of salt. Cook according to the packet instructions. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain and add to the pan with the bolognese sauce. Mix well and serve with grated cheese. 

Hamburger and Chips 

Like Macdonalds, but homemade, healthier and cheaper.

Cook Time: 20min 

Serves: 2

What you’ll need: 

• 2 Toasted burger buns 
• 2 Beef Burgers
• 1 Tomato, sliced 
• 1 Salad bags 
• And as many chips as you so desire. 

Method: 

1. Follow the packet instructions to bake your chips.
2. Halfway through the cooking time, heat the oil in a large frying pan. Fry the burgers on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until brown all over.
3. Serve in the toasted burger buns with the sliced tomato, some salad bag and any other optional toppings, chips and sauces.

Bacon Mac ’n’ Cheese 

Bacon, pasta AND cheese. Need I say any more?

Cook Time: 30mins   

Serves: 1 

What you’ll need: 

• 2 slices of chopped bacon 100g of macaroni
• 75ml of double cream
  50g of grated cheese (mature cheddar is best)
• 1tsp of mustard
• 1tsp of pepper

Method: 

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6
2. Fry chopped bacon over medium heat 
3. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta following pack instruction Drain, and keep aside for later 
4. Mix the double cream and half the cheese in a saucepan. Stir until the cheese has melted. Take the pot off the heat and add mustard and black pepper 
5. Pour the pasta into a baking dish and stir in the cheese sauce. Sprinkle the cooked bacon on top and then scatter over the remaining cheese 
6. Bake for 20 mins until the top is golden and bubbling 

Stir Fry Noodles 

Fit for a quick and easy post gym meal or a light lunch before class. 

Cook time: 15mins 

Serves: 2

What you’ll need: 

• 150g pack of medium egg noodles 
• 1tbsp of oil 
• 1 chopped carrot 
• 1 chopped yellow pepper 
• 100g of frozen peas
• 2 chopped spring onions 
• Soy Sauce 
• Salt and pepper 

Method:

1. Cook noodles according to pack instructions 
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan and stir fry the carrots, onions, peppers and peas, adding salt and pepper to taste 
3. Add the noodles to the stir fry vegetables and mix together with soy sauce 

Classic French Crepes 

Because who says you cant have crepes for dinner. 

Cook time: 30mins      

Serves: 4

What you’ll need: 

• 125g plain flour 
• 2 eggs 
• 120ml milk 
• 120ml water 
• 2 tablespoons of sugar 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 2 tablespoons butter 

Method: 

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt, sugar and butter; beat until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled flat griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle
3. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Turn it over and cook the other side. 
4.   Serve hot with your favourite toppings. 

Bonus tip: try frying the crepes in butter –  absolutely delicious!

Greek Falafel and Halloumi Wrap

Can we just take a moment to appreciate hummus….Ok moment over. 

Cook time:  20mins     

Serves: 2

What you’ll need: 

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• 2 tortillas 
• 1 sliced onion 
• 1 chopped tomato 
• 6 falafels 
• 170g of halloumi 
• And a whole lotta hummus 

Method: 

1. Cook the falafels following packet instructions. 
2. Heat oven on 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Wrap tortillas in foil and place in the oven for 5 mins. 
3. Meanwhile, slice halloumi and fry until golden brown. 
4. Remove tortillas from the oven and smoother in hummus. 
5. Place the cooked falafels on the wrap followed by the cooked halloumi. Add the tomato and onion and thats a wrap!

*Try drizzling  greek yogurt for an extra authentic taste

Nachos 

Perfect meal for a night in. Quick and easy late night snack. 

Cook time: 10min  

Serves: As many or as little people as you’d like 

What you’ll need: 

• A Bag of salted nachos 
• Salsa 
• Grated cheese 
• Sour cream 
• Guacamole 
• And some chopped jalapeños , if you like it spicaaay 

Method:

1. Heat oven on 200C/180C fan/gas 6
2. Grab a large baking tray and pour in the nachos. Sprinkle over grated cheese and place in oven for 5mins. 
3. Add a dollop of salsa, sour cream and guacamole to the baked nachos. Finish off with a sprinkle of jalapeños 

Tuna Pasta Salad

A healthy, quick and nutritious meal, perfect to revive you the morning, or should I say afternoon, after. Nice ‘n’ easy.

Cook time: 30mins    

Serves: 2

What you’ll need: 

• 100g of pasta (penne is best) 
• A can of tuna 
• 1/2 diced pepper 
• A tin of sweetcorn 
• 100ml of mayonnaise 

Method: 

1. Boil the pasta following packet instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and pour into a large mixing bowl
2. Drain the tuna and sweetcorn and then add to the pasta. Add the peppers. Pour in the mayonnaise. 
3. Mix well, add salt and pepper to taste. 

Steak Sandwich 

Not the cheapest meal but hey us students deserve a treat once in a while. Plus: you’ll be surprised by how quick and easy the recipe is!

Cook time: 10min      

Serves: 2

What you’ll need: 

• 4 minute steaks
• Olive oil 
• Brioche burger buns 
• Salad bag 

Method:

1. Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Season both sides of the steaks with salt, then fry for 1-2 minutes on each side.
2. Toast the brioche burger buns and fill with salad. 
3. Add two steaks to each bun then finish with a drizzle of your favourite sauces. 

BON APPETITE! Be sure to send us in some pictures of what you’ve rustled up!

Featured Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/12eHC6FxPyg