Top vegetarian student recipes

Learning to cook? See the best cookbooks for students to learn the basics. Don't forget to stock up on equipment you may need with the best student kitchen essentials.

Keep on top of your busy schedule with our vegetarian budget meal plan, then check out our essential recipes for university for more basic budget dinners.

Vegetarian student recipes

1. Microwave macaroni cheese

Satisfy cheesy cravings with our easiest macaroni cheese recipe ever. Simply cook this dish from start to finish in the microwave to save on energy and washing-up. For a strong cheesy punch combine extra mature cheddar with mature gruyère and a vegetarian Italian hard cheese.

See even more quick and easy microwave recipes.

2. Chole with cumin rice & raita

Make a chickpea curry served with raita for a brilliant budget-friendly student meal. As well as being quick and easy, it's healthy and gluten-free.

Discover more dishes with our vegetarian curry recipes.

3. Braised sesame tofu

Go meat-free with this moreish dish which spotlights tofu, a popular and rich source of protein. The braise is loaded with heat and umami flavour for the tofu to soak up, then served with rice and green beans. Ready in 25 minutes, it's an easy-to-make dinner that's healthy, dairy-free and plant-based.

Even more tofu recipes:

Noodles with crispy tofu
Teriyaki tofu

4. Spinach falafel & hummus bowl

Make this easy vegan salad bowl, with homemade spinach falafels and hummus served alongside pitta and salad. It's packed with nutrients for a healthy supper or packed lunch on the go.

Looking for more hearty meals? See our bowl food recipes for everything from salads to poke bowls and more.

5. Tomato & pasta soup

Make our simple, budget-friendly tomato, pasta and chickpea soup in just 30 minutes. This easy, vegetarian student meal is healthy and even low fat.

For more warming bowls, see our vegetarian soup recipes.

6. Veggie yaki udon

Pack in the veg with our flavour-packed Japanese-inspired yaki udon. It's healthy, takes just 25 minutes to make, and is low in fat and calories.

See more speedy suppers with our quick vegetarian recipes.

7. Double bean & roasted pepper chilli

This warming veggie chilli is healthy, low-fat and freezable for easy defrosted dinners in a flash. The beauty of this recipe is that it uses a combination of cheap storecupboard tinned ingredients with a few clever fresh veggies thrown in. A sprinkling of cocoa powder balances the heat with an irresistible sweetness. We guarantee you’ll be the most popular housemate in no time. Enjoy a hearty bowlful with a spoonful of soured cream and a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick.

More veggie chillis:

Easiest ever vegetarian chilli
Butternut chilli

8. Gnocchi with mushrooms & blue cheese

This beautiful budget gnocchi recipe looks impressive but takes just 20 minutes and a few key ingredients. A soft, creamy goat’s cheese or a strong blue cheese both work well with earthy Portobello mushrooms in this simple supper. Believe it or not, this luxurious dish is even low-fat. Make this wonderful one-pan for three lucky flatmates, and add a spoonful of crème fraîche for an extra-smooth mix. Take a look at our gnocchi collection for more delectable dumpling inspiration.

Even more easy gnocchi recipes:

Gnocchi & tomato bake
Creamy broccoli gnocchi

9. Italian veggie cottage pie

Our Italian veggie cottage pie is the definition of comfort food. This tasty twist on the English classic packs in sundried tomatoes, spinach and aubergines with a fluffy mash topping. Scatter some strong cheddar onto your mash for a golden-brown bake you’ll be asked to make again and again. It’s an adaptable recipe, too – try adding in your favourite veggies left languishing in the fridge. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will be dipping in for another spoonful.

Check out our pie collection for more veg-packed masterpieces.

More perfect veggie pies:

Crispy Greek-style pie
Winter greens puff pie

10. Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal

If you're craving a curry, you can’t go wrong with this spectacular spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal that counts as three of your five-a-day. This well-spiced healthy one-pot means minimal washing up and maximum flavour. As with any curry, the flavours intensify the longer they’re left, so it'll taste even better for lunch the next day. Think about making a double batch, as this simple midweek meal will disappear in a flash. From a madras and a masala to dhals and dopiazas, we have all the veggie curries your heart desires.

Even more veggie curries:

Easy chickpea curry
Matar paneer

11. Halloumi flatbreads

Who could resist smooth hummus and salty halloumi cheese wrapped up in a fresh flatbread? These super-simple wraps are an ideal DIY dinner for a hungry crowd. Make sure the cheese is golden brown and your slaw is fresh and crunchy. Celebrate this squeaky Cypriot cheese with our ultimate halloumi collection.

More cheesy masterpieces:

Halloumi traybake
Macaroni cheese in 4 easy steps

12. Loaded jacket potatoes

Go all out with our loaded baked potatoes with slaw. These super simple skins are stuffed full of crunchy spring onions, sweetcorn and creamy yogurt. Pair them with our basic healthy slaw and you've got a winning combination – we guarantee it’ll be a firm favourite in your house in no time. They're also handy to reheat the next day for lunch. Indulge in more perfect potatoes with our jacket collection.

More tasty tattie recipes:

Baked ginger & spinach potato
Cheesy bean potatoes

13. Italian aubergine traybake

Everyone loves an all-in-one! Our Italian aubergine traybake topped with oozy mozzarella is the perfect no-fuss dinner. All you need is a couple of cans of tomatoes, aubergines and chunks of ciabatta. It takes just 10 minutes to throw together a filling, rustic meal that’s low-calorie, too. Find more sumptuous recipes in our one-pot recipe collection.

More terrific traybake recipes:

Whole baked ricotta
Roasted root veg traybake

14. Coconut curry noodle bowl

This dish is creamy, crunchy, coconutty and everything we want from our dinner. Prep our coconut curry noodle bowl in just 10 minutes and be prepared for an explosion of tastes and textures. It’s even vegan, so you can feed a houseful of people no matter their dietary requirements. The sriracha sauce packs a punch but the maple syrup balances it out, so don’t worry about overwhelming spice. Scatter your bowls with cashew nuts and coriander for a sensational veggie meal that’s full of colour. We’ve got oodles more noodles in our main recipe collection.

Even more beautiful bowlfuls:

Veg-packed noodle & egg bowl
Burrito bowl with chipotle black beans

15. Green shakshuka

Shakshuka makes the ideal speedy supper on a budget. Treat yourself to baked eggs with a twist with our healthy green shakshuka, and serve it up in bowls with a fresh flatbread for mopping up those runny yolks. Season with a pinch of harissa and cumin for an irresistible one-pan – if this doesn’t satisfy, we don't know what will. Check out our healthy egg recipe collection for more nutritious meals you can make in minutes.

More excellent egg dishes:

Pea & broad bean shakshuka
Storecupboard shakshuka

Enjoyed these recipes? Try our other veggie ideas:

Vegetarian slow cooker recipes
Foods you think are vegetarian that aren't
Vegetarian family classics
Vegetarian budget meal plan
Top 10 vegetarian storecupboard recipes

What's your favourite student veggie supper? Leave a comment below.