Budget Cooking: 5 Student Recipes That are Budget-Friendly

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 03.04.2025

Studying can be expensive, and food is often a major cost factor. But instead of buying pricey ready-made meals every day or spending a lot on food delivery, it’s worth cooking for yourself. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s often healthier and even quicker to prepare than you might think. Especially quick and easy student recipes with minimal ingredients that require little time and effort are perfect for a busy university life.

We’ve put together the best and easiest recipes for students so you can have a quick, affordable, and delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen or breaking your budget.

Table of Contents:

Cucumber California Roll Salad – Sushi Without the Hassle

Sometimes, you just crave something light and refreshing – no problem! This simple, fresh, and incredibly delicious recipe has you covered. The Cucumber California Roll Salad tastes just like sushi but without the rolling or effort. Just chop, shake, and enjoy!

You’ll need:

  • 1 cucumber
  • ½ red onion
  • 100 g surimi or smoked salmon
  • 1 heaping tbsp herb cream cheese
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
  • A container with a lid (for shaking)

Here’s how:

  1. Slice the cucumber thinly and finely chop the red onion.
  2. Tear the surimi or salmon into small pieces.
  3. Dice the avocado and add it to the container along with the herb cream cheese.
  4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, close the lid, and shake well until everything is combined.
  5. Enjoy!

Turkish Pasta

This creamy and flavourful pasta recipe, inspired by Australian TikToker Anna Paul, is essentially a deconstructed version of Turkish manti. Instead of meticulously filling tiny dumplings, this quick and easy alternative features crispy minced beef, a creamy garlic-yogurt sauce, and paprika butter. Ready in just 15 minutes—simple, refreshing, and incredibly delicious!

You’ll need:

  • ~300 g pasta (preferably farfalle or similar)
  • 150 g Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 500 g minced beef
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika powder (and chilli powder, optionally)
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • For garnish: fresh cherry tomatoes and parsley

Here’s how:

  1. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
  2. Meanwhile, mix the yogurt with the finely chopped or pressed garlic.
  3. Sauté the minced beef in a pan over high heat. Add 1 tsp curry powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp paprika powder, about 2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp pepper.
  4. Stir in the chopped onion and continue cooking until the beef is crispy.
  5. In a small pan, melt the butter, stir in the paprika powder (and chilli powder), and let it foam briefly.
  6. Top the pasta with the garlic-yogurt sauce and the crispy beef, and drizzle with the spiced butter.
  7. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and parsley.
  8. Enjoy!

STUWO Tip: For a richer, more tomato-forward flavour, mix some tomato paste into the beef while cooking!

Gnocchi Oven Veggies

Quick, easy, healthy, and super filling. This is the perfect dish to use up leftover veggies at the end of the week and turn them into a delicious and cheap meal. Crispy gnocchi meet colourful roasted vegetables and creamy feta – all baked in the oven with minimal effort. The best part? You can flexibly adjust the ingredients and use whatever vegetables you have at home.

You’ll need (amount as desired):

  • Broccoli (fresh or frozen)
  • Zucchini
  • Onion
  • Tomatoes
  • Gnocchi
  • Feta cheese
  • Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Here’s how:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (top/bottom heat).
  2. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and spread them on a baking sheet.
  3. Add the gnocchi.
  4. Crumble the feta on top.
  5. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt & pepper.
  6. Bake for about 25 minutes until the gnocchi are golden brown.
  7. Adjust seasoning if needed and enjoy!

STUWO Tip: Get creative with the veggies! Bell peppers, aubergine, carrots, or mushrooms also work great in this dish.

Baked Oats Lava Cake – The Healthier Dessert

Craving something sweet but don’t want to devour an entire chocolate bar? That’s where this Baked Oats Lava Cake comes in! It’s fluffy, chocolatey, and has that amazing molten centre. The best part? The fibre- and vitamin-packed oats make it surprisingly nutritious. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a guilt-free dessert!

What You’ll need:

  • 80 g instant oats
  • ½ ripe banana
  • 125 ml milk (or plant-based alternative)
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • 2 tsp melted chocolate
  • 4 pieces of chocolate (for the molten centre)
  • Optional: 1 tbsp protein powder

How to Make It:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (top/bottom heat).
  2. Mash the banana and mix with oats, milk, honey/maple syrup, baking powder, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, melted chocolate, and vanilla extract.
  3. Lightly grease a small ovenproof dish or mug and pour in half of the batter.
  4. Place the chocolate pieces in the centre and cover with the remaining batter.
  5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the top is set but the inside remains gooey.
  6. Let it cool slightly and enjoy immediately!

Pasta Chips – The Crispy Snack Trend

As a student, you probably always have pasta at home – so why not take it to the next level with Pasta Chips? This easy, crunchy snack is a genius alternative to regular chips and can be perfectly customised with your favourite seasonings. Whether for movie nights, parties, or dipping, these are sure to be a hit!

You’ll need:

  • 250 g pasta (best choices: penne, farfalle, or rigatoni)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked or mild paprika powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 50 g Parmesan (optional, for extra flavour)

How to Make It:

  1. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain well.
  2. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.
  3. Air fryer method: Fry at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, shaking occasionally.
  4. Oven method: Spread on a baking tray and bake at 200°C (fan) for about 20 minutes until crispy.
  5. Let cool slightly and enjoy with your favourite dip!

STUWO Tipp: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings – this is just a starting point. Get creative!

Conclusion: Cooking Can Be So Easy – Now It’s Your Turn!

Cooking for yourself isn’t just a great way to save money – it also helps you eat healthier and enjoy more variety. With the right recipes, you can cook up meals that are quick, budget-friendly, and absolutely delicious.

Plus, knowing how to cook is a great way to impress your friends! Whether it’s a spontaneous dinner or a small get-together in your shared apartment, homemade (and affordable) dishes will always make a great impression. And the best part? These recipes are super flexible – so get creative and adapt them to your taste!

Check out our blog for more money-saving cooking tips, one pot pasta recipes, and student-friendly cookbook recommendations.

Have fun cooking and enjoy your meals!

Questions?

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