Quick, Easy & Cheap meals for Grad Students

It likely has happened to all of us: you go onto campus to write up a report, water bottle and granola bar in hand for a snack, only for it to the only sustenance you have all day. You begin to feel faint and realise you got to campus at 8:00am... and it's now 6:00pm, the sun has set, and you haven't really eaten anything.

Your stomach growls. You deserve better. Well, I'm here to say there is a way make meals that keep me energized all day... ones that are within budget and easy-to-make!

breakfast options

Spicy chickpeas with soppressata and eggs

Want a different take on baked beans and poached eggs? Try this out!
​

Spinach and bacon filo quiche

For a breakfast that is a little fancier, try spinach and bacon quiche made with a buttery, filo pastry.

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Quesadillas

Who doesn't love a breakfast quesadillas made of sausage and egg? Freezer-friendly, too!

Oatmeal

There is so many options for oats - you can make them savory (with some chile, eggs, and spring onion) or sweet (with maple syrup, honey or some cinnamon). ​

waffles

You can get these for cheap and bougie them up with some berries (dried or rehydrated) and cream. Yum, what a treat!

​Yogurt Parfait

Yogurt can be fancied up in a few ways - seasonal or dried fruit, spoonfuls of granola or muesli,  honey, the list goes on.​

Lunch/dinner options: PASTAS

Spaghetti in cherry
​tomato sauce

Nostalgic, relatively healthy for you, and can be whipped up in a couple of minutes with few ingredients.

BEEF, BEER AND BACON SPAGHETTI

Want some comfort food? Here's a classic for you that can be done while you do other things.

Lemon & greens pesto pasta

Only have 20 minutes? Make this easy pasta in just 15!

Cacio e pepe with buttered cauliflower

Peppered cheese and cauliflower - WINNER.

LUNCH/DINNER OPTIONS: meats

sticky thai-style chicken wings

Something a little unique to have in your week - without breaking the bank.

​Pork & apple burgers

A twist on a classic.

Spicy sausage & bean one-pot

This casserole will have you warmed up from the inside-out!

Cafe Rio chicken

Paired with cilantro lime rice, this stuff is delicious. 

LUNCH/DINNER OPTIONS: soups

​Orzo & tomato soup

Need something to warm you up? This orzo and chickpea soup will do the trick.

Pumpkin soup with haloumi bites and garlic croutons

Stay warm with this classic soup.

One-pot lasagne soup

In the mood for soup AND lasagne? Here's your fix.

Sopa de fideo

My favorite soup ever... of course it makes the list!

LUNCH/DINNER OPTIONS: veggies & vegans

Vegetable and tofu nasi goreng

This Indonesian nasi goreng is budget-friendly and DELICIOUS.

Vegetable risotto

With roasted vegetables, this quickt-to-make meal is a fave.

Curried tofu and vegetable patties

These meat-free patties are a staple in my lunchbox.

French Onion Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils and Cauliflower Potato Mash

A decadent meal for those days you feel like you wanna go EXTRA.

what are your fave cheap (but healthy) meals?