3 Healthy, Easy And Cheap Meals For Uni Students
I’ll be honest in my first year of Uni I mostly consumed packets of Mi Goreng noodles… why? Because they are cheap and easy! Now I’m in my last year, I don’t mind cooking myself a few healthy meals. Here are a few meals that are yummy, healthy and most importantly… cheap!
*Prices are taken from Coles Australia.
Minestrone soup
Low-calorie, high-fiber and filled with vegetables!
Total cost= $15.35
Shopping list:
1L real vegetable stock ($2.00)
400g tinned chopped tomatoes ($1.40)
100g thin spaghetti – broken into short lengths ($1.80 for 500g)
350g frozen mixed vegetables ($3 for 1kg)
1 tsp olive oil ($3 for 500ml)
4 tsp pesto ($1.95 for 190g)
5g grated parmesan cheese ($1.70 for 100g)
Method:
Bring the stock to the boil with the tomatoes, then add the spaghetti and cook for 6 mins or until done. A few minutes before the pasta is ready, add the vegetables and bring back to the boil. Simmer for 2 mins until everything is cooked.
Serve in bowls drizzled with pesto and oil, sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
Chicken Salad
This salad has substance and will leave you feeling full.
Total cost =$42 (Weeks to months of use)
Shopping list:
75g chicken breast ($9 per 1kg)
2 tbsp marinade (I recommend Teriyaki $3 for 375g)
2 tsp salt ($3)
2 tsp pepper ($3)
2 tsp herbs (Italian herbs are my favourite $2.60 for 10g)
2 tsp olive oil ($3 for 500ml)
1 butternut pumpkin – cut into 4cm pieces ($4 per 1kg)
1 tsp feta cheese ($4)
1 tomato ($6.90 per 1kg)
2x sliced beetroot ($0.80 for 425g)
1 tsp pesto ($1.95 for 190g)
30g spinach ($3 for 120g)
Or
30g green mixed vegetables ($4 per 1kg)
Method:
Mix marinade with salt, pepper and any chosen herbs to chicken breast in a large bowl. Lock chicken breast in sealed bag and place in fridge at least 20 mins before cooking (For more flavor keep overnight).
Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced.
Mix pumpkin with olive oil, salt, pepper and any chosen herbs in a large bowl. Evenly spread both chicken breast and pumpkin on prepared oven trays and cook for 30 mins. Once cooked then add to salad or green vegetables.
If you get bored of chicken then add some lamb souvlaki strips ($12 for 500g).
Gnocchi and tomato bake
Perfect for freezing leftovers when it comes to exam time!
Total cost =$26.20
Shopping list:
1 tsp olive oil ($3 for 500ml)
1 onion – chopped ($2.90 per 1kg)
1 red pepper- deseeded and finely chopped ($4.90 per 1kg)
1 garlic clove- crushed ($2.50 for 4 pack)
25g basil leaves- torn ($3 for 20g)
400g tinned chopped tomatoes ($1.40)
500g gnocchi ($3)
60g mozzarella ball- torn into chunks ($5.50 for 250g)
Method:
Heat grill to high. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then soften the onion and pepper for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic, fry for 1 min, tip in the tomatoes and gnocchi, then bring to a simmer. Bubble for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is soft and the sauce has thickened. Season, stir through the basil, then transfer to a large ovenproof dish. Scatter with the mozzarella, then grill for 5-6 mins until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Enjoy!
By Katherine McNeill-Shaw, Bachelor of Communication student.