Easy and affordable recipe ideas

You may have spent the first term of university eating endless portions of pesto pasta and pot noodles and have realised that it is time to start showing off your culinary skills. Making time to eat properly and care for yourself at university can be difficult, but these quick and cheap recipe ideas will help you get on the right track.

Quick Ramen

Ingredients (from Aldi)

• Chicken/Vegetable/Duck Gyozas (£2.49)
• Coconut milk (£0.79)
• Soy sauce (£0.55)
• Ready to wok noodles (£0.85)
• An egg (£0.65/pack)
• Spinach (£0.95)
• Carrots (£0.33)
• Spring onions (£0.55)
• Garlic (£0.95)

Recipe

1. Add the coconut milk and soy sauce into a pan, mix, and heat over a low temperature.
2. Cook the gyozas (instructions on the back of the packet)
3. Boil an egg and then peel once cooled.
4. Fry the noodles along with the spinach and some diced garlic.
5. Put the noodles, spinach, gyozas, and egg into a big bowl then pour the soy and coconut sauce over the top. Grate some carrots and sprinkle some chopped spring onions over the top.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients (from Aldi)

• Minced meat (£3.49) or Quorn mince (£2.59)
• 1 large Onion (£0.95)
• Mushrooms (£0.95)
• Courgette (£1.39)
• Carrots (£0.33)
• Garlic (£0.95)
• Canned tomatoes (£0.49)
• Tomato puree (£0.59)
• Beef/vegetable stock (£0.65)

Recipe

1. Add a drizzle of olive oil into a pan and fry mince over medium heat until brown or cooked.
2. Dice the onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Add it to the mince in the pan and fry until soft.
3. Grate carrots and courgettes and mix into the pan.
4. Add the can of tomatoes, a large dollop of tomato puree, and some beef/vegetable stock and mix into the pan to create the sauce.
5. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and your chosen herbs and spices. Now leave to simmer on low heat for up to an hour.
6. Cook the spaghetti and plate up!

Fajitas

Ingredients (from Aldi)

• 1 large onion (£0.95)
• Peppers (£1.59)
• Mushrooms (£0.95)
• Diced chicken breast (£2.49) or Quorn pieces (£2.95)
• Cheese (Optional/£2.49)
• Fajita dinner kit (£1.79)

Recipe

1. Cook the chicken/Quorn pieces in a pan until cooked through. If you are vegan, use the vegetables as substitutes.
2. Dice the onion and add to the pan. Fry until soft.
3. Chop the peppers into thin strips and add them to the mix. Dice the mushrooms and add them to the mix.
4. Take the seasoning from the fajita kit and sprinkle it into the pan. Mix thoroughly to ensure that all contents are covered.
5. Heat the wraps from the kit in the microwave and then spread the salsa onto them. Fill your wraps with the delicious filling, top with cheese, and enjoy!

Chicken/Quorn curry

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Ingredients (from Aldi)

• Diced chicken breast (£2.49) or Quorn pieces (£2.95)
• 1 large onion (£0.95)
• Mushrooms (£0.95)
• Courgette (£1.39)
• Garlic (£0.95)
• Spinach (£0.95)
• Chicken Tikka Masala Curry Sauce (£1.49)
• Rice (£1.25)

Recipe

1. Put a drizzle of oil into a large pan and fry the chicken/Quorn pieces until cooked.
2. Dice an onion and some garlic. Add them to the pan and fry until soft.
3. Finely chop the courgette and mushrooms. Add them to the pan and stir.
4. Pour the curry sauce into the pan and mix around. Leave the curry to simmer.
5. Add some spices of your choice including chilli powder and cumin.
6. Cook the rice following the instructions on the pack and then serve your delicious curry!