{"id":146779,"date":"2025-12-24T19:05:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T19:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.society19.com\/uk\/?p=146779"},"modified":"2025-12-24T19:05:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T19:05:18","slug":"affordable-recipes-you-cant-mess-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.society19.com\/uk\/affordable-recipes-you-cant-mess-up\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Affordable Recipes You Can’t Mess Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a student or recent graduate, cooking can be not only a nightmare but an expensive one, too. With some of us leaving home with next to no cooking experience, even frying an egg or making cheese on toast can be tricky. But never fear, here are 8 recipes of varying difficulty that should be incredibly affordable so long as you shop wisely.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Egg and Avocado Feta Smash<\/h2>\n

The easiest on the list, it\u2019s impossible to mess this dish up. Rather than poached eggs, boil them for 7 minutes (6 if you want the yolk nice and runny). While the eggs are boiling, mash half an avocado with a fork onto a small flat plate and spread it onto some toast. Remember to plunge the egg into cold water to stop the cooking process before peeling and cut it into pieces over the avocado. Once you\u2019ve done that if you like dairy you can crumble over some feta cheese, add a teaspoon of olive oil over it all. If you\u2019re feeling fancy, tear up a few mint leaves and sprinkle over the top. Unless you forget about the egg or burn your toast, this dish is foolproof.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. 10 Minute Banana Pancakes<\/h2>\n

Another easy and affordable breakfast, banana pancakes will sweeten your morning and give you one of your five a day. With only a few ingredients, it\u2019s simple to make and only takes a few minutes. Here\u2019s a <\/span>recipe<\/span><\/a> I found that involves a just a smoothie blender and a frying pan!<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Meal Prep Pasta Lunch<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s a little something that will have you sorted for lunch all week. Meal prep may seem like something reserved for those in strict workout and diet plans but it happens to be a brilliant money saving technique. Pre-portioned, pre-cooked and stored away in a fridge or freezer, you only need to put it in the microwave or eat it cool all through the week. Boiling pasta (any kind you like) for 10 minutes, put a sieve or colander over the top and steam a good handful of spinach. While all of that is cooking, chop up any fresh fruits such as tomatoes and avocado. Once the pasta is done, drain the pasta, portion everything into reseal-able containers and leave to cool. You can even come up with your own pasta sauce (I always recommend, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a little honey and a pinch of chilli powder).<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Roasted Cauli-Broc Bowl<\/h2>\n

This one is a more experimental lunch, but if you\u2019re keen on clean eating, this is a wonderful vegan and gluten-free <\/span>recipe <\/span><\/a>to try. To keep things cheap and cheerful, leave out the walnuts and replace the quinoa with rice or buckwheat. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. 15 Minute Pad Thai<\/h2>\n

This one\u2019s my favourite of all the affordable recipes. It\u2019s one of Thailand\u2019s most popular noodle dishes and is customisable so you can put in all your favourite proteins and veggies. Chop up all your veggies beforehand and throw them into a hot pan with a drizzle of olive oil. While this is cooking, soak some noodles in boiled water for a few minutes. Crack an egg or two into the pan and stir quickly to lightly scramble and once you\u2019ve drained the noodles, add them to the pan and turn off the heat. <\/span>You can either make your own Pad Thai sauce or buy a mini sauce packet sold in most supermarkets. Sprinkle over some crushed cashews and enjoy!<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick tip: use a potato peeler to create thin carrot strips to pick up with your noodles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Seafood Taco Bowl<\/h2>\n
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