It is a common belief that you must stay in university halls when becoming a fresher in your first year at university. But did you know this isn’t your only option?...
Let’s face it: learning to cook is not everyone’s cup of tea, and with looming deadlines and the all-important socialisation of uni life, spending hours over a stove isn’t appealing.
But how can you make sure you are nourishing your body for those important exams on a student budget and not just relying on cheap pizzas or Deliveroo!
Here at Lulworth Student Company, we have compiled 12 of the best tried and tested filling meals that are not only quick to make but cheap too. From fool proof dishes to vegetarian-friendly, simple student recipes, tingle your tastebuds with our easy recipes. Let us know which ones you try.
Top Tips
Before we show off our talents for easy, cheap meals, we have a few tips to share with you to ensure you get the most out of the nutritional aspects and your money!
Go big or go home
To make the most of your time cooking, make big batches so you don’t have to cook again for a while. Food can last for months in the freezer, and there’s nothing better than coming home after a hard day of lectures knowing you don’t have to cook but can still enjoy a lovely, home-cooked meal. Microwaves can be your friend for meal prep, so use them!
Try the basics
You don’t need to buy fancy ingredients to make a great-tasting meal. Most supermarkets have their own basic line, which not only tastes just as good as the more expensive brands but will cut your food bill down considerably. Also, don’t shy away from the rotisserie aisle; a cooked chicken is cheaper and less hassle than you having to cook it yourself. Plus, it can make many meals in the next few days, from curries to sandwiches, saving you time and money.
Pack the basics
Some university accommodation will supply kitchen utensils such as pots and pans, but always check before you leave that you don’t have to buy these essential kitchen items. To help we’ve made this handy checklist of what you need to pack, to ensure you don’t run short of anything. Plus, we have teamed up with UniKitOut to give you 10% off all your essential items, so don’t forget to take advantage of this incredible offer and show up to your uni halls 100% prepared!
Get creative
Get your hands on some spices and herbs to really get your taste buds tingling. Being creative often makes cooking more fun, plus you can show off your skills to your university mates, impressing them as well as your caregivers.
1. Nice n Easy pasta bake
Why we love pasta bakes at Lulworth Student Company:
- They require a minimum cooking time
- They are quick and easy to do
- You can make a variety of different dishes
- You can batch-cook large amounts and freeze them for later dates
- They are nutritious, with protein and slow-releasing carbs to keep you going
- They taste amazing!
Throw in any pasta you like, the cheapest protein, a few veggies, a pasta sauce, and optional cheese into a baking dish and let the oven do the rest. No cutting, no prepping, just good heart-warming, nutritious food, what’s not to love?
2. Scrummy jacket potato & fillings
You may have only ever encountered jacket potatoes on a hot summer’s day when your mum couldn’t be bothered to cook, but welcome to your new best friend.
Not only are jacket potatoes cheap as chips and take less than 8 minutes to cook, but you can also dress them up in so many ways. From summer jackets with salad to warm jackets and chilli (see below for our tasty chilli), jackets are the epiphany of slow-release energy, taste, and quickness. Not only will they help you save money, but they are a super quick student meal.
3. Warming chilli & rice
For those long, dark, and cold British evenings, a bowl of chilli and rice is enough to warm the soul and leave you feeling full and relaxed. This is also one of the most fool-proof mince recipes you will ever try. You can use any easy-peasy mince option you like (or meat-free alternatives), just fry it off in a pan, add in a sauce, some vegetables and some beans, microwave your rice, and you have a hearty, homely, and filling meal in less than 15 minutes! Plus, if you batch cook, you will have enough to last you through the cold winter months.
4. Soup and pasta
Ok, we know this sounds strange, but believe it or not, this dish is the most tried and tested dish our students (and ex-students) just can’t get enough of. It is as simple as boiling up some pasta and mixing it with your favourite soup. Think of an easy tomato Bolognese (tomato soup) or creamy chicken pasta (chicken soup). Not only are soups generally healthier for you than pasta sauces, but they also contain more veggies and nutrients while being cheaper. Trust us on this, do not knock it until you’ve tried it!5. Sizzling fajitas
Who knew that chicken in a wrap with some spices could be so comforting and moreish? Packed with versatility, you can use any meat or meat-free substitute with your preferred fajita mix. These tasty wraps are super simple and can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a quick snack. And the best part about them is they can be cooked in just one pan by throwing everything you like in there, making light of the washing up!
6. Homemade Nando’s
Have you ever made your own Nando’s? We have, and it was a lot easier and cheaper than we first thought. Not only have restaurant prices shot up in recent years, but our students have embraced making Nando’s in their university halls with friends. Not only does it make them feel like they are enjoying the social aspect of eating out, but the taste is just as good, if not healthier. Grab chicken (or meat substitutes) and mix with Nando’s sauce or a dry mix of your choice. Simply throw in some oven chips, and you have restaurant-quality food at home in no time.
7. Simple stir-fry
Stir-fry’s have everything you need to keep your brain going when you are lost in deadlines and late nights. Not only does it only take 5 minutes to cook, but you can get stir fry meal deals. Yes, that’s right. In most supermarkets, you can get the veggies of your choice, noodles, and a sauce that feeds two people for around £3! Just chuck all the ingredients into a pan and fry, to create a fool proof, super cheap student meal. You can also be as creative as you like with a stir-fry, as there is simply no way you can get it wrong.
8. Cheap and cheerful pizza bagels
One of the perks of being away from home is that you can finally have pizza for breakfast and no one can stop you. These pizza bagels are the breakfast of champions, although we have to admit we also enjoy them for lunch, dinner, and as post-drinking snacks. Cheaper than buying take-out pizza and with the advantage of having exactly the toppings you like on them as you like them, these little melt-in-your-mouth treats will keep you satisfied and happy.
9. Never gets boring cheesy beans on toast
You can’t go wrong with beans on toast, which is why it has become a staple meal for thousands of people throughout their lives. They not only boost a cheeky protein punch, but they also count as one of your five a day, so you can have a yummy meal without the guilt of not prepping your vegetables. We love melting cheese on top (and a few chilli flakes) to really make this dish a mouth-watering, nutritious meal we can enjoy any day of the week!
10. Hearty, protein omelette
What can’t eggs do? From omelettes to scrambled eggs, these little protein-rich wonders are versatile, tasty, and cheap. Chuck any protein and vegetables you like into a pan, add in the eggs, and within 3 minutes you have a meal you can enjoy at any time of the day. Plus, the dishes won’t pile up with these little treats!
11. Thrifty roast
The one meal most students miss from home is their Sunday roast, but the thought of cooking a roast seems too daunting, right? Well, what if we told you, it was rather quick, simple, and cost-effective? Grab any vegetables from the supermarket and boil or steam them. Buy a rotisserie chicken and throw some potatoes in the oven. All that is left to do is add the gravy, which lasts for months in the cupboard, and you have made a healthy, warm, home-cooked meal in less than 45 minutes. Plus, you can use the leftover chicken for other meals during the week, which is perfect when you have a busy schedule. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
12. Supercharged rice & tuna
And finally, introducing the quickest meal you can make, totalling a whopping 2.5 minutes, our supercharged rice and tuna will keep you full, nourished, and satisfied. Simply drain the tuna whilst the rice is in the microwave (of course, you can boil it in the bag or any kind of rice you like). Add some spices and herbs (optional), throw them into a bowl, and you have created a masterpiece that requires washing just one bowl and a fork. This has to be the easiest yet most protein-rich meal we can show you, and we are proud of it!
Enjoying meals at Lulworth Student Company
Whether you love to cook with others or prefer to have your own cooking space, we hope you have found inspiration in this blog to keep you going for the university year. But if cooking still isn’t for you, at least we have a handy café on site to curb your hunger and ignite your tastebuds.
To find out more about our facilities and modern accommodations, contact our friendly team, or why not come and see us for a tour? Situated in the seaside town of Bournemouth, a throw stones away from campus and student nightlife, Lulworth Student Company has everything you need to make the most out of university life.
