Healthy, Easy Recipes for Students Anyone Can Cook

Mark Barrow

Are you tired of the same old boring student meals? Do you find yourself reaching for a Pot Noodle or fast food more often than not? Well, fear not! We’ve got you covered with some healthy, easy recipes for students that anyone can cook.

As a student, it’s easy to fall into the trap of convenience over health. But with these recipes, you can have both! We understand that cooking can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to it, but trust us, these recipes are foolproof. Plus, they won’t break the bank or take up too much of your precious study time. From quick and easy breakfasts to satisfying dinners, let’s get cooking!

Breakfast:

Egg and avocado toast:

Facts:

• Cook time – 10 mins
• Calories – 500 per serving
• Cost – £2.50 per person*

Not only is this dish quick and easy to make, but it’s also packed with protein and healthy fats to fuel your brain for a day of studying and learning. Plus, with endless variations and toppings, you can customize it to your taste preferences and dietary restrictions. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy.

• Cut a ripe avocado into cubes and mash with a fork.
• Toast some sourdough bread and top it with mashed avocado
• Top with a poached or scrambled egg.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes

Avocado toast is good, but keep it interesting and you’ll keep coming back to it. Other toppings that can help stop it from becoming boring include smoked salmon, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes or cucumber. The choice of toppings is endless so get creative!

*tips for using avocados

• To choose a ripe avocado go for one that is a little firm (neither solid nor mushy), with dark green skin. Keep it on the kitchen counter at home to ripen fully.
• To cut an avocado, slice it in half lengthways – run the knife around the stone then twist and pull apart. Use a spoon to scoop the flesh out.

Dinner:

Fajitas:

Facts:

• Cook time – 25-30 mins
• Calories – 500 per serving
• Cost – £5.50 per person*

Are you looking for a way to impress your housemates and show off your culinary skills? Well, look no further because we have the perfect solution for you: cooking fajitas for you and your housemates!

Not only are fajitas a crowd-pleaser, but they are also incredibly easy and affordable to make.

• Place diced chicken breasts in a bowl (one per housemate) & mix with dried oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, crushed or finely chopped garlic and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix well and allow to marinate.
• Make some salsa by roughly chopping up ripe tomatoes into small chunks, then mixing with chopped red onion, lime juice, chopped coriander and seasoning with salt & pepper.
• Make some guacamole by mashing up a ripe avocado with the back of a fork then mixing in chopped chillis, lime juice, chopped coriander and then season with salt & pepper.
• Stir-fry the chicken (best done in batches if you’re cooking for your whole house), for 6-7 minutes. Make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through before serving.
• Warm up some tortillas at the last minute so they’re piping hot but still soft enough to make wraps.

Earn some serious housemate points and get them involved by creating your own DIY fajita bar. Set out all the ingredients along with some grated cheese, shredded lettuce and soured cream and let everyone build their own fajitas to their liking. It’s a great way to bond with your housemates and have a delicious meal at the same time.

Easy Ramen:

Facts:

• Cook time – 10 mins
• Calories – 300 per serving
• Cost – £3.00 per person*

One of the most popular and delicious recipes for students out there. You might believe that cooking Ramen is a breeze. Just boil water and mix in the seasoning, and you’re done. However, that’s not entirely accurate and Ramen has a lot more to offer. By incorporating a few uncomplicated ingredients and following straightforward steps, you can enhance your Ramen cooking skills and make a meal that will make your taste buds sing.

• Soft boil an egg (up to 7 mins in boiling water)
• Cook a pack of ramen noodles (use pack instructions)
• Add the sachet of seasoning
• Add veg (e.g. Pak Choi, chopped spring onion/sliced red onion, chopped cabbage), cook until soft
• Place noodles and veg in a bowl along with some of the cooking water and place a halved egg on top
• Add a dash of soy sauce and enjoy!

Halloumi Tray Bake with Roasted Vegetables:

Facts:

• Cook time – 110 mins
• Calories – 400 per serving
• Cost – £2.50 per person*

This recipe for Spicy Baked Halloumi Lunch Bowls is the perfect budget-friendly meal for university students. With a blend of nutritious veggies and protein-packed halloumi cheese, it’s easy to make and will keep you full and satisfied throughout the day.

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• In a large bowl, mix a can of chickpeas, 1 sliced bell pepper, and a sliced red onion together with 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chilli flakes and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt & pepper. Toss until the veggies are evenly coated.
• Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
• While the veggies are roasting, prepare the halloumi. In a separate pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Slice the halloumi and add slices to the pan, cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. You can do this in batches.
• To cook the quinoa – follow the pack instructions.
• To assemble the bowls, start with a bed of cooked quinoa at the bottom. Add the roasted veggie mixture and top with the halloumi slices.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

By trying these easy recipes for students, you can enjoy healthy, delicious meals even if you have limited time and cooking experience. Bon appétit!

Healthy cooking needn’t break the bank, especially if you’re signed up for our NoPosit scheme which gives you access to exclusive discounts at the biggest supermarket chains! Check out our NoPosit page for more info.

*Prices are based on costs at the time of publishing