University students share cheap recipes that saved them money and improved their diet

As tuition and living costs rise, a growing number of university students are turning to affordable home cooking to manage their budgets without sacrificing nutrition. Three young graduates recently shared the simple, budget-friendly recipes that became staples during their studies, demonstrating how learning to cook can lead to significant financial savings and improved well-being.

Mia Jones, 22, moved from Anglesey to London for university with no cooking experience. Initially surviving on pasta and ready meals, she was spending approximately £45 a week on food—a habit she quickly deemed unsustainable. By switching to fresh ingredients and following online recipe tutorials, Jones slashed her weekly grocery bill by £20. She also noticed a marked increase in her energy levels during lectures.

“I couldn’t live off pasta for the rest of my life,” Jones said. “It made me realise I could function on my own.”

Now a master’s graduate, Jones shares her creations online, highlighting two signature dishes: a chickpea curry and udon noodles with tofu. Her chickpea curry, which costs just £1.25 per portion, combines spinach, coconut milk, and basic spices. Her udon dish, priced at £2.45 per serving, is a quick ten-minute meal that can be easily customized with tofu or chicken.

Jayda Otuo-Mensah, a 20-year-old physiotherapy student at Coventry University, faced similar challenges. Balancing a demanding 40-hour weekly hospital placement, she needed meals that were both healthy and efficient. After extensive trial and error using social media guides, she gained confidence in the kitchen.

“It’s a lot easier when you’re cooking because you know exactly what’s going in,” said Otuo-Mensah, who now prepares crispy teriyaki mince tacos. The dish costs roughly £2.11 per taco and utilizes staples like beef mince, tortillas, and lettuce.

Rob Medhurst, a 25-year-old graduate of Nottingham Trent University, found his culinary foundation in spaghetti bolognese. Describing the process as “muscle memory,” he appreciates the dish’s versatility, noting that the same base can be adapted for chilli or burritos. His version costs £2.02 per portion and relies on common store-cupboard items like tomatoes, garlic, and beef mince.

Chef and cookbook author Claire Thompson emphasizes the importance of a well-stocked pantry for those leaving home for the first time. She recalls sending her daughter to university with three crates of supplies, joking that she was “stocked for the apocalypse.” Thompson advises students to invest in essential spices and staples like canned chickpeas, which add protein and flavor to inexpensive dishes.

To verify the costs of these meals, the BBC commissioned retail tracking platform Assosia to calculate ingredient prices based on average pre-promotion rates at major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons, as of September 11, 2026.