Are you hankering for some home-cooked food while you’re away from home in college, but feel intimidated by the kitchen? Don’t despair — we’ve scoured the web for some student-friendly recipes for novice cooks!

#1. Cheesy spinach and ham omelette

Waking up in the morning will be so much easier with this cheese-filled savoury masterpiece only moments away from your mouth!

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp butter
• 2 cheese slices
• 1/4 cup baby spinach
• 1/4 cup finely chopped ham
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Beat eggs and water in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Heat butter in a  pan over medium heat until hot. Make sure the pan is evenly coated.
3. Pour in egg mixture ー the edges should set immediately.
4. Gently push cooked portions from the edges toward the centre so that the uncooked eggs on top can flow down to the bottom of the pan.
5. Once the surface of your eggs has thickened and no visible liquid egg remains, season with salt and pepper.
6. Place cheese on one side of your omelette and top with spinach and ham. Fold omelette in half and slide onto a plate.

#2. Grilled chocolate, banana and peanut butter toastie

What better way to say good morning than with a hot and crispy sandwich brimming with chocolatey PB and B goodness. A triple threat!

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• 1 sliced banana
• 1 tsp butter
• Creamy peanut butter
• Nutella

Instructions:

1. Spread Nutella on one slice of bread and peanut butter on the other.
2. Place banana on either side of the bread before gently placing them together.
3. Melt a teaspoon of butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
4. Place the sandwich on a frying pan and fry the sandwich on both sides until golden brown.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

#3. Chilli chicken noodles

This Asian-inspired dish is as easy to cook as it is to wolf down in half the time it takes to make. No wok, no problem!

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 125g yellow noodles
• ½ tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
• 1 ½ garlic cloves
• ½ red chilli
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp chilli sauce
• 125g skinless and boneless chicken breast, cubed
• ½ tsp salt
• A pinch of pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook yellow noodles according to packet instructions and set aside.
2. Drizzle some oil into a pan and cook the chicken with salt, pepper and 5 spice until the meat is white all the way through. Take out and set aside.
3. Fry the garlic and red chilli in the same pan for a few minutes before stirring in the chilli sauce and soy sauce.
4. Add the chicken and noodles. Mix together for a couple of minutes.
5. Garnish with some sliced red chillies and spring onions. Enjoy!

#4. Steamed rice with chicken

All you need is a rice cooker to cook this fuss-free, piping hot meal — perfect for a rainy day.

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 50g sliced chicken breast
• ¼ pack shimeji mushrooms
• ¼ medium-sized carrot, sliced thinly
• ½ tsp chicken stock
• ½ tsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• 1 ½ cups water

Instructions:

1. Add rice, chicken, water, shimeji mushrooms, carrots, chicken stock, oyster sauce and sesame oil into a rice cooker.
2. Stir ingredients lightly.
3. Turn the rice cooker on and allow the ingredients to cook until the rice cooker switches to “keep warm”.
4. Serve hot.

#5. Creamy one-pot veggie mac and cheese

Love pasta? Here are 5 simple steps to make the sexiest bowl of pasta your taste buds have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Jamie Oliver, who?

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• ¾  cup elbow macaroni
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
• ½  cup broccoli florets
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp flour
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients except salt and pepper in a large, deep skillet.
2. Simmer and cover for 10 minutes.
3. Uncover and simmer for another 5 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
4. Taste and season as needed with salt and pepper.
5. That’s it! Ladle it out and devour.

#6. Super simple fried rice

This criminally easy fried rice gives you the luxury of a wholly satisfying meal made entirely out of leftovers.

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup day-old rice 2 cups water
• ⅓ cup chopped baby carrots
• ¼ cup frozen green peas
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Boil carrots in a small saucepan filled with water for about 3 to 5 minutes. Drop peas into the boiling water and drain after 2 minutes.
2. Heat your wok over high heat. Add oil, then stir in carrots and peas; cook for about 30 seconds before adding an egg.
3. Stir quickly to scramble the egg with your vegetables.
4. Add cooked rice and soy sauce. Toss rice to coat. Drizzle some sesame oil and toss again.
5. Serve hot.

#7. No-bake Oreo cheesecake

Decadence personified. This recipe makes a whole pie to share (but only if you’re in the mood).

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 2 hours

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups Oreo baking crumbs (or 24 Oreo cookies, finely crushed)
• 5 tbsp melted butter
• 4 cups plain cream cheese
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar (a.k.a. icing sugar)
• 3 cups whipped cream
• 24-28 coarsely crushed Oreo cookies

Instructions:

1. Combine the Oreo baking crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture into the base of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Whip the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and continue to whip until well combined.
3. Fold the whipped cream and the coarsely crushed Oreo cookies into the cream cheese mixture with a rubber spatula until well combined.
4. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
5. Chill the cheesecake in the freezer for at least 2 hours (4 hours is ideal). Let it sit in room temperature for 20-30 minutes before garnishing with additional whipped cream, chocolate sauce and crushed Oreo cookies.
6. Serve and enjoy!

#8. Molten chocolate lava cake

Ooey, gooey and delicious. ‘Nuff said.

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 6 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tbsp unsalted butter (and extra for buttering your lava cake vessels)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°c and butter your ramekin (alternatively, use a small ovenproof cup or a muffin tin)
2. Melt the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat.
3. Whisk in the egg, sugar and vanilla extract.
4. Fold in the flour until incorporated.
5. Pour the chocolate batter into your ovenproof cups or ramekins and place on a baking tray.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.
7. Gently invert the cakes onto a plate, letting the cup or ramekin hang out upside down for a minute on the plate.
8. Slowly lift the ramekin or cup.
9. Serve and enjoy!

#9. 60-second chocolate chip cookie

This single-serving of chocolate chip cookie takes only 1 minute to make. Martha Stewart is #shook.

Prep time: 2 mins

Cook time: 1 min

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Add butter, both types of sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla into a small mixing bowl until combined.
2. Stir in the flour and well mixed. Add chocolate chips and transfer to a small ramekin or microwave-friendly mug.
3. Microwave for 60 seconds.
4. Let cool and garnish with a giant dollop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling particularly decadent. You’re welcome.

You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to whip up a warm, delicious meal. With some practice, you’ll get better in time. So have fun trying these recipes!

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