student food

This vegetarian low-calorie chickpea curry makes a wonderful, easy after-work meal, and is ready in less than 20 minutes. It's also vegan if you leave out the egg. 

Each serving provides 441 kcal, 26g protein, 92g carbohydrates (of which 8.5g sugars), 20g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 15g fibre and 0.6g salt. 

With a GI of 45 this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/high_protein_low_GI_diet">high protein, low GI</a>.

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

eggs

olive oil

tsp cumin seeds

tsp black mustard seeds

tbsp medium curry powder,

garlic

ginger

tin chopped tomatoes

tin chickpeas,

lemon juice

milliliters/3½fl water

baby leaf spinach

salt and black pepper

tbsp chopped fresh coriander, to garnish

You can make these easy falafels in minutes for a delicious quick dinner. Top with chilli sauce, yoghurt, pickles or hummus to customise. It's a simplified falafel recipe for those on a budget with limited kit – it's so much cheaper than buying ready-made. See also our <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chickpeas_with_harissa_99809">easy chickpea stew recipe</a> and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/easy_hummus_96922">easy hummus recipe</a> for more ways to shuzsh up that tin!


Falafel

400 grams/14 ounces tin chickpeas

spring onions, finely chopped

tsp cumin

lemon, zest only

dessertspoons plain flour

salt

black pepper

lemon, juice only

½ cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

tomatoes, roughly chopped

round lettuce, washed, leaves

pitta breads

plain yoghurt

chilli sauce

hummus

Three easy, tasty ways with a chickpeas tin- falafel, hummus and with harissa.

Pimp my chickpeas tin

A slow cooker beef stew recipe you'll make time and time again - no browning required! We've added a little orange peel, black olives, bay and red wine for a Provençal flavour.

Slow cooker beef stew

steak,

150 milliliters/5fl oz red wine

onions,

orange peel

bay leaf

100 grams/3½oz smoked bacon lardons

carrots, sliced

parsley

black olives

These vegetarian enchiladas are a money-saving gem and they take just a few minutes to make.

This meal provides 648 kcal, 28g protein, 74g carbohydrate (of which 15g sugars), 26g fat (of which 12g saturates), 18g fibre and 3.2g salt per portion.


Quick beany enchiladas

grams/3½oz onion

grams/3½oz peppers

tomatoes

beans

tbsp lime

x 40 grams/1½oz ready-made flour tortillas

75 grams/2½oz mature cheddar,

A crowd-pleasing easy chicken curry, packed with Chinese flavours. Serve over rice.

Each serving provides 487 kcal, 37g protein, 66g carbohydrates (of which 10.5g sugars), 7g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 4.5g fibre and 2g salt. 

Chinese chicken curry

250 grams/9 ounces long grain or basmati rice

500 grams/1lb 2 ounces skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

tbsp dark soy sauce

tbsp cornflour

tsp Chinese five-spice powder

vegetable oil

brown onions, thickly sliced

tbsp ginger

tbsp garlic

tbsp mild curry powder

600 milliliters/20fl oz chicken stock

pineapple

water chestnuts

peppers,

Have this cheap and cheerful store-cupboard-ingredient recipe up your sleeve for a last-minute brunch or lunch for two.

Each serving provides 480 kcal, 28g protein, 35g carbohydrates (of which 8g sugars), 24g fat (of which 6.5g saturates), 5g fibre and 1.8g salt.

Corned beef hash 

sunflower oil

onion, finely chopped

can new potatoes, drained

corned beef

free-range eggs

Worcestershire sauce

A quick and easy way to make this takeaway favourite in the microwave.

Watch the video for three easy microwave meal ideas. Get the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/microwave_carrot_and_74360">carrot and ginger rice recipe here </a> or find the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/microwave_jambalaya_72083">microwave chicken and chorizo jambalaya recipe here.</a>

Microwave egg ‘fried’ rice 

grams/4½oz rice

spring onion, finely chopped

peas

tsp reduced salt soy sauce

free-range egg

coriander

Cook jambalaya, carrot and ginger rice and egg 'fried' rice in the microwave.

Three microwave rice dinners

The Hairy Bikers’ take on sausage casserole makes a wonderfully warming and filling dish, and it freezes brilliantly. 

Each serving provides 423 kcal, 23.5g protein, 16g carbohydrates (of which 9.5g sugars), 28.5g fat (of which 10g saturates), 4.5g fibre and 2g salt.



Hairy Bikers' sausage casserole

1–2 tbsp sunflower oil

pork sausages

rashers rindless streaky bacon,

onions, thinly sliced

garlic cloves, crushed

½–1 tsp hot chilli powder or smoked paprika

300 milliliters/10fl oz chicken stock

tomato purée

dark brown muscovado sugar

herbs

bay leaves

thyme

milliliters/3½fl oz red or white wine (optional)

tin butter beans

rice bread

Easy as (chicken and leek) pie. The sauce is made with a soft cream cheese with wholegrain mustard. Serve with frozen peas and carrots for a simple family supper.


Chicken and leek pie

chicken breasts, roughly chopped

leek,

garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed

250 grams/9 ounces cream cheese

mustard

vegetable stock cube

ready-rolled puff pastry (320 grams/11½ oz)

brush the top

How to make an easy chicken and leek pie

Spiced lentils make a cheap, wholesome supper - add extra chilli and cumin seeds for a more robust flavour. This is designed to be a low cost recipe.

Each serving provides 477kcal, 26g protein, 71g carbohydrate (of which 2.5g sugars), 8g fat (of which 4g saturates), 7.5g fibre and 0.2g salt.

Tarka dal with rice

tsp turmeric

butter

garlic cloves, finely chopped

green chillies, finely chopped, to taste

salt and pepper

Chicken egg-fried rice is a quick, easy and cheap way to use up leftovers. Perfect for late-night meals or dinner in a hurry.

Each serving provides 702 kcal, 4g protein, 79g carbohydrates (of which 11g sugars), 24g fat (of which 5g saturates), 6g fibre and 3.5g salt.

Chicken egg-fried rice

egg,

spring onions, sliced

grams/1¾oz frozen peas

pouch microwavable rice

chicken

sesame oil

This popular Japanese chicken katsu curry is easy to make for a low-cost midweek meal. You can prepare the curry sauce in advance, and the strips of chicken are quick to coat and fry up into hot crispy morsels.

Chicken katsu

brown onion, chopped

carrot, chopped

tbsp medium curry powder

plain flour

500 milliliters/18fl oz chicken stock

1–2 tbsp soy sauce

chicken mini fillets

grams/3½oz breadcrumbs

jasmine rice, to serve

This easy sweet potato and chickpea curry uses only a few storecupboard staples and is perfect for a laid-back supper. This is designed to be a low cost recipe.

Each serving provides 551kcal, 15.5g protein, 97g carbohydrate (of which 14.5g sugars),	8g fat (of which 1g saturates), 13g fibre and 0.2g salt.


Sweet potato and chickpea curry 

cumin seeds

onion, finely sliced

½–1 tsp chilli flakes (to taste)

grams/1¾oz fresh root ginger,

tins chickpeas,

grams/1lb 10 ounces sweet potato, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes

Flour + salt + oil = a delicious tortilla wrap. Quick and easy too. You can even use this as the base of a tortilla pizza topped with any bits and pieces of toppings you have leftover in the fridge.

This <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/tomato_sauce_for_pizza_19260"> no-cook pizza sauce</a> recipe is great for kids to put on the wrap if turning into a mini pizza. 




Tortilla wraps

grams/4½oz plain white flour, plus extra for rolling

¼ tsp fine sea salt

tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil

How to make homemade tortillas

This ultimate burger recipe is simple and deluxe – you'll never make a homemade burger the same way again! Well-seasoned, high quality beef, fresh, crisp toppings and a cracking special sauce will outshine any fast food version.

The ultimate homemade burger

225 grams–250 grams/8–9 ounces beef mince, 15% fat

level tsp salt

brioche burger bun (cut side toasted)

tbsp tomato ketchup

mayonnaise

gherkin, finely chopped

red onion, finely chopped

tbsp dill

smoked streaky bacon, cooked

mature cheddar

Little Gem lettuce

beef tomato

Ellis Barrie shows you how to make an insanely good beef burger

Make it easy: Banging burger

Quesadillas are just flattened, fried wraps. It is without question the best option when you need dinner in an instant. This quesadilla recipe uses black beans and cheese, and are served with an avocado side salad.

Spicy black bean quesadilla

½ tsp ground cumin

oregano

tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)

spring onions, trimmed, sliced

red pepper, chopped

cheddar, grated

x 25cm/10in flour tortillas

garlic clove, peeled,

peeled,

lime, juice only,

pumpkin

If you haven't learned how to make your own nachos, this is your moment.  Ellis Barrie shows you how easy it is to make the perfect snack for hungry mates.

Nachos

beef mince

tsp hot smoked paprika

½ tsp chilli powder

salted corn tortilla chips

150 grams/5½oz cheddar, grated

grams/3½oz cherry tomatoes, quartered

coriander (optional)

sliced chillies (optional)

lime wedges

soured cream

Ellis Barrie brings you the best party snack in the business: double-decker nachos.

Make It Easy: Nachos

Top 40 student food recipes from across the web

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The most viewed student food recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine