10 Student Cooking Essentials

1. Pasta

When you're a budget-pro university student, pasta really is your best friend. Takes about 15 minutes to boil and has the carbs you need in a balanced diet.

2. Tomato Puree

Add a spoonful to any recipe with tinned tomatoes involved and it'll magically bring out the flavour of the tomatoes.

3. Salt and pepper

Two of the most obvious kitchen essentials, salt and pepper are the superheroes of student cooking. Mastering the art of seasoning well can turn the most depressing boring dish into a taste sensation.

4. Mixed dried herbs/ spices

Being on a student budget doesn’t mean that you have to cut back on the luxury of herbs, mixed dried herbs last ages and can really add their own flavour to your meal!

5. Onions and Garlic

This charming little twosome can turn pretty much anything into a tasty meal busting with flavour. Onions will last at least a couple weeks in your cupboard and garlic will keep around 6 weeks.

6. Soup

Tinned soups are always great to have stored in the cupboard for a rainy day, as are the seriously cheap sachets of cuppasoups! It’s also super easy to make your own soup.

7. Ketchup

Ahh ketchup not only is it perfect with fries but you wouldn't believe how many tomato-based curry recipes recommend a good splodge of the stuff, and spaghetti bolognese just isn't the same without it! Watch out for offers- ketchup is one of the essentials that you can always get out of paying full price for.

8. Potatoes

Boil them, mash them or roast them, so many things to be done with potatoes! One great way to cook them is simply cut them into cubes, chuck them onto a baking tray with salt and pepper and a mix of herbs and spices, drizzle on oil and cook for around 30 minutes

9. Tuna 

It may seem like an odd one to include as a student cooking essential, but the nutritional value of tuna is incredible and it makes for a super simple sandwich or potato filler. Packed full of protein which is great for keeping up the energy levels and brain power.

10. Bread

Bread is a staple food, a student’s best friend! Bread lasts way longer if you put it in the freezer and defrost (or simply toast) before use.