56 student recipes

Macaroni cheese for students

Macaroni cheese is the ultimate indulgent food to keep you going through essay writing, studying and of course lazy hangover days. We have plenty more macaroni cheese recipes here...

Classic mac and cheese

Comfort food at its best. Mac 'n' cheese is always a winner and this one, with a crispy top is top of our list. Fresh salad is good as a side. For a plant-based version, try our vegan mac and cheese.

Mac 'n’ cheese with bacon

How do you make mac 'n' cheese better? Add bacon of course! This oozing cheesy pasta bake is also rich with Red Leicester and finished with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Double up the recipe for all of your flat mates

Flatmate sharers for students

Chicken enchiladas

These easy chicken enchiladas are sure to become a group favourite. Pack them with smoky chipotle chicken, crunchy peppers and black beans then finish with grated cheddar.

Fish pie

A comforting white fish, smoked haddock, prawns and leek pie, topped with fluffy mash, that you can make in advance and freeze.

Vegan chilli

Perfect for a plant-based feast. This crowd-pleasing sweet 'n' smoky chilli non carne recipe is made with vegan mince, two types of bean and plenty of spices for added kick.

Healthy auberine parmigiana

Make a batch of this Italian veggie classic to feed a crowd, or make two smaller dishes and freeze one for later. We've made it that little bit healthier by using a few clever tricks.

Chicken and chorizo jambalaya

Serve a warming pot of chicken and chorizo jambalaya for your flatmates weekend. You can also include pork or seafood in addition to the chicken.

Cheesy garlic dough balls

Give our tear-and-share gooey cheese-filled dough balls a go at home with step-by-step help from the olive test kitchen. They'd make a great starter for the kids or something to kick off a laid back dinner party

Recipes with mince for students

Mince makes a great-value option for feeding a crowd. Buy a large pack and make one of these easy meals for a cheap dinner. Plenty more student meal ideas with mince here...

Best-ever spaghetti bolognese

Make this for your uni flat mates and reap the rewards. With our best-ever spaghetti bolognese we've perfected a family favourite including tips on how to make it in a slow cooker.

Classic cottage pie

This is our take on a classic cottage pie that will feed a crowd. With rich beef and creamy mash, it's a long-standing family favourite and a good one to have in the freezer for emergencies!

Chilli con carne

Get your mates round for a seriously indulgent flat party. Our most popular chilli con carne recipe EVER! Made Tex-Mex style with aged minced beef, chipotle powder, red wine, 70% dark chocolate and semi-dried tomatoes.

Stir-fry noodles for students

Stir fries are the perfect solution for quick meals between lectures, library sessions and before pre drinks. More stir-fry ideas here...

Ginger chicken stir-fry

Whip up this super simple ginger chicken stir-fry in under 30 minutes. This low calorie recipe is packed with plenty of punchy flavour from fresh ginger and a homemade soy and mirin sauce.

Tofu stir-fry

Check out our easy veggie stir-fry with crispy tofu and crunchy broccoli. This simple recipe is packed with plenty of flavour, plus it's high in protein too.

Beef stir-fry

No need to order from your local Chinese takeaway when you can rustle up this flavorsome crispy chilli beef stir-fry in less than 30 minutes. This recipe is not only quick and easy to make, it's also low in calories, too.

Salt and pepper chicken

Ditch the takeaway menu and whip up our easy, healthier homemade salt and pepper chicken. This punchy, versatile recipe can be adapted to use with king prawns, tofu, strips of beef or pre-cooked chicken wings, and served with rice as a main or as part of a sharing feast with other plates.

Pasta bakes for students

One of the easiest student meal ideas, a pasta bake makes plenty for your whole flat, with leftovers for heating up between lectures or to tuck into after a night out...

Tuna pasta bake

This budget-friendly pasta bake makes the most of storecupboard staples and can be easily doubled to feed a crowd. We recommend ramping up the flavour with the addition of dried chilli flakes and rosemary.

Meatball melt lasagne

This indulgent lasagne is a great dinner party entertaining pleaser to assemble then bake just before your friends arrive. Really meaty and full of great texture, your guests will keep coming back for more. An easy winner!

Vegetable pasta bake

A Mediterranean-inspired freezable pasta bake packed with summer veg – use frozen if not in season and add any additional veg you may have in the fridge.

Vegan pasta bake

Make an umami-rich vegan ragu with mushrooms and carrots, plus pre-cooked lentils to minimise prep time. Delicious baked in the oven with vegan cheese

Fajitas recipes for students

Everyone loves fajitas, and they make a great flatmate dinner for everyone to dig in to. Double or triple the ingredients in the below recipes to feed your housemates.

Chicken fajitas

Check out this flavour packed recipe for these next-level chicken fajitas. Our cookery writer Adam Bush shares his tips and tricks to getting this classic family meal right, every time.

Sizzling steak fajitas

Check out our lower calorie steak fajitas. These fajitas are super easy to make and take no time at all. Serve in the middle of the table and dig in

Halloumi fajitas

If you're a veggie who loves fajitas, check out these super simple wraps with salty halloumi, sweet red peppers and crunchy red onions. Ready in 20 minutes, this easy recipe is a great midweek meal for two.

Curry recipes for students

Nothing brings a group of flatmates together like the fragrant smell of a richly spiced curry bubbling away in the kitchen. From easy chicken kormas and biryanis to tikka masala, you can find all the classics in our collection of curry recipes. Or check out some of our student-friendly recipes below.

Butter chicken

Make this easy butter chicken using whatever curry paste you have. It’s the combo of butter, almonds and yogurt that magically creates such a creamy sauce

Paneer curry

Looking for a meat-free option? This hearty paneer curry is perfect for a healthy vegetarian meal. The peas add extra protein while ginger and plum tomatoes make a light, fragrant sauce. For a more tomato-based option, try our paneer tikka masala.

Sweet potato and chickpea curry

For another meat-free marvel, try our vibrant veggie sweet potato and chickpea curry for dinner tonight. It’s colourful, rich, hearty and packed with nutrients

Vegan aubergine curry

Cook aubergine pieces with fragrant spices and red lentils for a hearty yet healthy vegan aubergine dhansak to feed a group of four. Enjoy with pilau rice.

Pizzas for students

Nothing says student grub like pizza. Save your pennies and learn how to make your own pizza, you'll be the most popular Fresher in your halls.

5-minute flatbread pizzas

All the comfort of pizza but ready in a flash and healthier, too. These 5-minute flatbread pizzas are a great recipe to have on hand midweek when you and your flat mates don't want to spend hours cooking

Meat vs veg patchwork pizza

Trying to please both veggies and meat-eaters? This patchwork pizza gives you the best of both worlds with pepperoni on one half and olives, capers and peppers on the other. Flat party, anyone??

Broccoli and spiced sausage pizza

This broccoli and spiced sausage pizza with fennel, chilli and taleggio is delicious and feels like a real treat. It's ready in under an hour, though, which makes it achievable midweek.

Sloppy joe pizzettes

These sloppy joe pizzettes are a great way to use up leftover bolognese sauce, and kids will love them! Using a bread mix keeps things super easy, and the chilli oil adds a kick

Cheeseburger pizza

Want to try something a bit different? Check out our epic mash up of a dirty American burger on a classic tomato pizza. It's sure to be a party conversation starter!

Tacos for students

Get your mates round for the best taco party in town with these easy recipe ideas. Go even further and create a Mexican feast with our Mexican fiesta recipes...

Quick pork and bean tacos

These quick pork and bean tacos are the perfect speedy meal to make midweek with your flatmates. Put everything on the table and let people help themselves.

Breakfast tacos

Looking for fun new breakfast idea? Try our super easy breakfast tacos. Use eggs with deep yellow yolks, so you get a nice colour contrast with the beans and chorizo.

Ten-minute prawn tacos

Invite your pals over last-minute and whip up these speedy prawn tacos. Fill tortillas with punchy stir-fried prawns and a chopped tomato and coriander salad for a punchy dinner.

Vegan tacos

Bring the fiesta with these vibrant vegan sweet potato and black bean tacos, with zingy homemade salsa and pickled onions

Jacket potatoes for students

Jacket potatoes make a great option for cheap student meals for one or the whole gang. Try our fun ideas here, and here's how to make the perfect jacket potatoes...

Baked sweet potatoes with smoky beans

This recipe for baked sweet potatoes with smoky beans makes for an easy veggie student meal that will give you a veg fix before a big night out. Plus, it's under 500 calories.

Tuna melt jackets

Tinned tuna makes a great budget-friendly topping for a baked-potato. This recipe adds cheese and spring onions for an extra melty finish, ideal for indulging on.

Baked sweet potatoes with feta cream and crisp chorizo

Some nights, only a baked potato will do. Why not make it a bit more special with this recipe for baked sweet potatoes with feta cream and crisp chorizo? Ultimate comfort food.

One-pot pasta for students

Save on the washing up with our easy one pot pasta ideas, whether you are feeding one or a crowd.

Pasta puttanesca

This one-pot puttanesca makes a really easy midweek meal for one. The pasta soaks up the flavours, and the starch makes the sauce rich and creamy.

One-pan sausage pasta

Sausage pasta is the ultimate comfort dish. We've used the classic combo of rigatoni and pork sausage but any short pasta will work for this magic one-pot, ready in half an hour.

One-pot tomato and basil pasta

Tomato and basil is a classic Italian pasta sauce and this on-pot version is up there with the best. Try Sabrina Fauda-Rôle's tomato and basil pasta ecipe (taken from her book, One-Pot Pasta) tonight

Omelettes for students

Possibly the easiest cheap meal out there for students, the trusty omelette helps you get in plenty of your five-a-day with mushrooms, peppers and lots more.

Quick omelette ideas

Use up those last few eggs in the fridge with our protein-rich omelette ideas, from quick vegetarian omelettes to our elaborate Tex-mex frittata.

Chilli, cheese and garlic mushroom omelette

This recipe for chilli, cheese and garlic mushroom omelette is easy, vegetarian and ready in under 30 minutes making it a perfect midweek meal for one

Spanish pepper and potato omelette

The ultimate comfort food which clears out the fridge too, try our best Spanish omelette recipe with red onion, red pepper and new potatoes. Serve with a rocket salad.

Healthy recipes for students

Healthy chicken stir-fry

High in protein and low in calories, this shredded chicken and chestnut mushroom stir-fry is bursting with fresh, gingery flavour and red chilli heat.

Mexican salad tortilla bowls

Check out these vibrant vegan Mexican salad bowls. This quick and easy recipe is super fresh and has just the right amount of spice and zing - ready in 20 minutes

Healthy spaghetti bolognese

This spaghetti bolognese has slightly less meat in than usual but no less flavour, and is bulked out with lentils for healthy fibre. You could also use vegetarian mince, if you like.

Healthy chicken korma

Fragrant, creamy and gently spiced, korma is super-comforting with its rich, buttery sauce. This version is lighter than the traditional recipe, yet it’s every bit as warming.

Healthy pizza

This healthy caponata pizza makes for an ideal flat sharing meal – it's loaded up with veg and full of the good stuff

Healthy beans on toast

We've given this classic storecupboard dish a healthy makeover. Juicy tomatoes, sweet peppers, chilli heat and tangy pomegranate molasses plus fresh herbs all give the sauce an extra punch. Ezme paste is also a flavour bomb, but it's fine to leave this out if not readily available.

Cheese toasties for students

Gouda and chilli jam french toast

Check out this indulgent french toast recipe oozing with melting cheese and punchy sweet chilli jam, perfect weekend comfort food

Halloumi toastie with harissa and honey

Filled with salty halloumi, rose harissa and honey for a touch of sweetness, this toastie is too delicious for words. It's meat-free too, so your veggie friends don't have to miss out.

Meatball sub melts

Check out these indulgent meaty sandwich subs with gooey mozzarella and nutty parmesan. This easy recipe serves a group of four and is ready in less than an hour. Plus, it's low calorie, too

Brownies for student baking

Become the resident baker among your student friends and you will be the most popular person on campus. Our indulgent brownie recipes are easy to make!

Bourbon biscuit brownies

What's better than a chocolate Bourbon biscuit? Chocolate Bourbon brownies! This is one of our favourite recipes of 2016 - trust us, you'll need to make a double batch

Peanut butter fudge brownies

A foolproof traditional brownie recipe topped with indulgent peanut butter fudge. These easy decadent brownies are the ideal dinner party treat to serve with coffee, or an indulgent afternoon snack

Classic chocolate brownies

A classic, gooey chocolate brownie recipe that can be ramped up with added ingredients (we’ve included three suggestions in the recipe). This recipe uses a square tin, but you can use an oblong or even round cake tin provided it is roughly the same size – just keep an eye on the brownie, you may need slightly less or more time than the recipe states.