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:
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and wrap 6 medium tortillas in foil.
Stir the sliced the chicken breasts into the pre-made marinade
Throw the chicken, onion, peppers and chili (if you so please) into a heated pan
Keep everything moving over high heat for about 5 mins
To check the chicken is cooked, find the thickest part and tear in half – if any part is still raw cook until done.
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:
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.
Add another tablespoon of oil to the saucepan and fry onions for 5 minutes until soft. Add the mince to the onions.
Add the tomato sauce to the pan and stir well to mix.
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:
Follow the packet instructions to bake your chips.
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.
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 bacon100g of macaroni
75ml of double cream 50g of grated cheese (mature cheddar is best)
1tsp of mustard
1tsp of pepper
Method:
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6
Fry chopped bacon over medium heat
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta following pack instruction Drain, and keep aside for later
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
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
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:
Cook noodles according to pack instructions
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan and stir fry the carrots, onions, peppers and peas, adding salt and pepper to taste
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:
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.
Heat a lightly oiled flat griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Turn it over and cook the other side.
Serve hot with your favourite toppings.
Bonus tip: try frying the crepes in butter – absolutely delicious!
Greek Falafel and HalloumiWrap
Can we just take a moment to appreciate hummus….Ok moment over.