Seriously cheap and genuinely delicious recipes

Being able to cook food that fills you up with joy is something that can't be beaten! So, while we're feeding students and fighting for systems change, we thought it'd be a good idea to create a collection of our most popular cheap & delicious recipes! Have a browse below.

Firstly, what do we mean by 'cheap'?

Consider a young Australian student, studying full time who is living out of home, the maximum they can get from Centrelink is $562.80, a fortnight. A Homelessness Australia report revealed a student like this would be left with $13 a day. This $13 would have to cover transport, utilities and food. We estimate that after paying public transport and bills, this student would have $5 a day for food! If they're an international student, there is little support available so budgets would be significantly less. 

If you consider students already have access to some basic staples like oil, butter, spices etc... cheap could be: 

  • A meal that costs more than $5 but is multiple serves 

  • A meal where ingredients can be foraged or rescued

  • A meal where the costs are shared between friends or family

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Arabic Salad

This vibrant Arabic-inspired salad brings together layers of rich, comforting flavours and fresh, zesty notes for a truly satisfying dish. With a mix of warm Middle Eastern-inspired spices and crisp textures, finished with creamy tahini — perfect for a wholesome lunch or shareable side.

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Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad

Bright, crisp, and bursting with fresh flavours, this Vietnamese-inspired salad is the perfect light meal for warm days. Tender rice noodles, marinated tofu, and crunchy vegetables come together with fragrant herbs and a tangy, zingy dressing that perfectly balances freshness and flavour.

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Cowgirl Salad

Round up your appetite — this Cowgirl Salad is riding in with big flavours and no fuss. With hearty brown rice, black beans, crunchy veg, and a creamy avocado dressing, it’s a rootin’-tootin’ bowl of goodness that keeps you riding strong (no horse required).

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Soba Noodle Salad

Fresh, quick, and full of flavour, this soba noodle salad is perfect for busy days and warm weather. Made with affordable ingredients like cabbage, frozen edamame, and pantry-staple noodles, it’s a light yet satisfying dish tossed in a zesty sesame-soy dressing. Great for lunch, leftovers, or sharing.

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Breakfast Porridge

Simple, comforting, and endlessly adaptable, this porridge is a great way to make the most of rolled oats — a low-cost grain with a gentle, creamy flavour. Whether you like it plain or topped with fruit, seeds, or spices, it’s a quick and easy way to start your day right.

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Veggie Pasta

Quick, colourful, and full of flavour — this veggie pasta is your go-to for an easy, wholesome meal. Packed with fresh vegetables and simple ingredients, it’s a flexible recipe you can make with whatever’s in your fridge. Weeknight dinner, sorted.

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Hot & Smoky Red Rice and Beans

Smoky, spicy, and deeply satisfying. This dish layers bold, fiery flavors with rich textures — crispy roasted sweet potato, charred corn, chipotle-spiced rice, and hearty beans. All of this is topped off with fresh veggies and a cooling dollop of sour cream. It’s part meal prep, part build-your-own bowl, and a whole lot of comfort with a kick.

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Red Chilli Pesto Pasta

This bold and speedy pasta brings the heat — think red chilli pesto tossed through your favourite pasta shape, with broccoli and spinach for extra greens and goodness. Whether you use a jar or make your own, it’s a weeknight winner that comes together fast and doesn’t hold back on flavour.

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Euro Summer Holiday Salad

Sun-soaked and full of colour, this salad is your shortcut to a Mediterranean-style meal. While the pasta cooks, you can prep nearly everything else — fresh herbs, crisp veggies, briny feta, and chickpeas come together fast for a vibrant, no-fuss dish that tastes like a Euro summer holiday.

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Pumpkin & Grain Salad

With sweet roasted pumpkin, nutty grains, and a bright yogurt and orange topping, this salad tastes like autumn in a bowl. It’s a warming, nourishing dish that celebrates the season’s best produce — perfect for sharing or savoring on a crisp day.

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Brown Rice & Lentil Salad

This Brown Rice & Lentil Salad is hearty, fresh, and packed with plant-powered goodness. It’s perfect for using up those tired herbs in the back of your fridge and holds up beautifully for up to 72 hours in the fridge — making it ideal for meal prep, lunchboxes, or a no-fuss dinner.

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Mushroom & Lentil Bolognese

Hearty, rich, and entirely plant-based, this Lentil and Mushroom Bolognese brings all the comfort of a classic — without the high price tag. It’s a satisfying, affordable meal that’s easy to make and great for feeding a crowd.

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