30-minute student budget meal plan

Discover the best cookbooks for students, the best student kitchen essentials to take to university this year as well as our 10 cooking tips for students.

Take a browse through these quick dinner recipes and quick and healthy recipes for speedy meal inspiration.

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Budget vegetarian meal plan

You can also visit our budget hub for cost-effective meals, like these budget salads, budget comfort food and budget 'superfood' swaps.

Find more cost-effective meal plans over at our meal plan hub.

7-day student meal plan on a budget

Monday: Greek-style beans

Start the week with this veggie butter bean, tomato and feta stew. This quick and thrifty meal calls on cheap storecupboard staples, plus it's ready in only 25 minutes. Served with a slice of toasted sourdough on the side to mop up all the sauce, this healthy meal is sure to earn a place in your dinner rotation.

Find more budget-friendly veggie recipes.

Tuesday: Sumac turkey-stuffed pittas

Pair subtly spiced sumac turkey meatballs with sweet-and-sour slaw to make these thrifty pittas – on the table in just 25 minutes. This budget-friendly dinner showcases cheap veg, with everyday spices and herbs providing a boost of flavour. Plus, any leftover raw meatballs can be frozen.

Search more cheap weeknight dinner recipes.

Wednesday: Tomato & pasta soup

On Wednesday evening rustle up this simple, budget-friendly tomato, pasta and chickpea soup in just 30 minutes. This vibrant pasta soup looks impressive but it's deceptively easy to cook - perfect for impressing housemates. It's a trusty vegetarian meal to add to your repertoire, it's healthy and even low fat.

Find more easy pasta soup recipes.

Thursday: Teriyaki tofu with charred spring onions

Throw together this vegan teriyaki tofu with charred spring onions and wholegrain rice in just 30 minutes. It's easy-to-make and low in fat, plus it's a winner if you're looking to cook more vegan and vegetarian meals. Tailor-made for busy weeknights, we guarantee you'll want to cook this again and again.

See more of our tempeh recipes.

Friday: Pork noodle stir-fry

Friday night calls for something cheap, filling and cheerful, such as this pork noodle stir-fry. Try if for a flavour-packed dish that's ready on the table in 30 minutes. It's also a great way of adding in lots of crunchy veg - we used 2 x 160g bags of mangetout, baby sweetcorn, beansprouts, carrots and peppers, but the choice is yours.

Check out our collection of stir-fry recipes.

Saturday: Tandoori paneer skewers with mango salsa

Cook these colourful tandoori skewers for a fun and thrifty weekend meal - grill skewers of paneer cheese and veg, then serve with a fruity avocado salsa. It's fresh, zingy and flavour-packed, so it's perfect for impressing housemates and friends over the weekend. You can also serve with a few pouches of basmati rice to bulk it up.

Find more quick vegetarian recipes.

Sunday: Italian meatballs with orzo

On Sunday night, try adding a twist to classic spaghetti and meatballs with garlicky tomato sauce by using orzo pasta. Ready in 30 minutes, it's just the ticket when you're looking for a warming, end-of-the-week meal without the hassle.

If you like the look of this, you'll love of best orzo recipes.