Whether you’re in a hostel with minimal cooking facilities or renting a small studio apartment, it’s absolutely possible to eat well, cheaply, and without spending hours in the kitchen.
Here are 6 budget-friendly, nutritious meals every student living alone should try — easy on time, effort, and most importantly, your wallet.
1. Vegetable Khichdi — The Ultimate One-Pot Comfort
Why it works:
Easy to make, super filling, and requires minimal utensils.
A complete meal with carbs, protein, and fibre.
Ingredients:
½ cup rice + ¼ cup moong dal
Mixed veggies (onion, tomato, carrot, peas, potato)
Mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, salt, and a pinch of hing
Water and ghee
Method:
Rinse rice and dal, chop veggies.
In a pressure cooker, temper spices in ghee, sauté veggies, and add rice/dal.
Add 2.5–3 cups water, cook for 3–4 whistles.
Garnish with ghee and coriander.
2. Roti Wrap with Leftover Sabzi
Why it works:
A creative way to reuse leftovers.
Portable and perfect for college lunch or late-night bites.
Method:
Take a leftover sabzi (dry or semi-dry).
Heat it, place it inside a roti or tortilla, and roll it up.
Add ketchup, chutney, or mayo for extra taste.
Try with aloo bhaji, cabbage stir-fry, or soya chunks.
3. Instant Masala Pasta (Desi Style)
Why it works:
Comfort food meets budget.
Customizable with whatever veggies or spices you have.
Ingredients:
1 cup pasta
Onion, tomato, capsicum
Salt, red chili, garam masala, or pasta seasoning
Oil and ketchup (optional)
Method:
Boil pasta. In a pan, sauté chopped veggies and spices.
Mix in the boiled pasta and a dash of ketchup or butter.
Cook for 2–3 mins on low heat and serve hot.
4. Anda Bhurji with Toast
Why it works:
Rich in protein, super fast, and highly affordable.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner — it works every time.
Ingredients:
2 eggs
Onion, tomato, green chili
Salt, turmeric, red chili powder
Bread for toast
Method:
In a pan, sauté veggies with spices.
Add beaten eggs and scramble.
Serve with buttered toast or pav.
Add cheese or a spoon of milk to make it fluffier.
5. Aloo Chaat or Stir-Fried Potatoes
Why it works:
Potatoes are cheap, filling, and versatile.
Can be eaten as a meal or a heavy snack.
Ingredients:
2–3 boiled potatoes
Onion, lemon, chaat masala, chili flakes
Salt, oil
Method:
Cube boiled potatoes, toss with spices and lemon.
You can sauté them with a little oil and onions for extra crispness.
Add boiled chana or sprouts for more protein.
6. Chana Salad or Sundal (South Indian-Style)
Why it works:
High-protein vegetarian meal.
Great for no-rice/no-roti days.
Ingredients:
Soaked & boiled black chana or white chana
Mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chili
Grated coconut (optional), lemon, salt
Method:
Heat oil, temper mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Add chana and sauté for a few minutes.
Add lemon juice and garnish with coconut.
Serve warm or cold. Makes for a healthy evening snack too.
