Between lectures, assignments, and tight budgets, cooking as a student can feel like a mission. But eating well doesn’t have to cost a lot or take hours!
In this post, we share quick, affordable student meals you can make in 15 minutes or less, perfect for South African students living in res (residence halls), digs (homestays), or off-campus flats.
Table of Contents
Quick, Healthy and Budget-Friendly Recipes for South African Students
Consider buying food items in bulk, using leftovers for meals, minimising dishes, saving time, freezing portions for later, and investing in basic food items.
Pap and Fried Eggs with Chakalaka
- Estimated Cost: R15 per serving
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Ingredients:
- ½ cup maize meal (pap)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp chakalaka (canned or homemade)
- Method:
- Cook pap as usual (boil water, add maize meal, stir until thick).
- Fry eggs with a pinch of salt.
- Serve hot with a spoonful of chakalaka.
Hearty, filling, and proudly South African☺️
2-Minute Noodles + Stir-Fried Veg + Egg
- Estimated Cost: R10–R15
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients:
- 1 pack of instant noodles
- Frozen mixed veg or chopped onion/tomato
- 1 egg
- Method:
- Boil noodles and set aside.
- In a pan, stir-fry the veg in oil, crack in the egg, and scramble together.
- Mix noodles into the pan for a quick stir-fry.
Upgrade from basic noodles with protein and nutrients 💝
Tuna Mayo Toast or Sandwich
- Estimated Cost: R12–R18
- Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
- Ingredients:
- 1 tin of tuna
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2–4 slices of bread
- Method:
- Mix tuna and mayo in a bowl.
- Spread on bread for a cold sandwich or toast for extra crunch.
High in protein and perfect for busy days 🤩
Boiled Rice + Chopped Vienna + Tomato Sauce
- Estimated Cost: R10–R12
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients:
- ½ cup rice
- 1–2 viennas (or any affordable sausage)
- Tomato sauce or chutney
- Method:
- Boil rice and viennas separately.
- Slice the viennas and mix them into the rice.
- Add a squirt of tomato sauce for taste.
Simple and satisfying when you’re broke and hungry 😋
No-Cook Peanut Butter & Banana Wrap
- Estimated Cost: R8–R10
- Prep Time: 2–5 minutes
- Ingredients:
- 1 tortilla or roti
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 banana
- Method:
- Spread peanut butter on the wrap.
- Slice the banana and roll it up.
A quick, healthy snack or breakfast on the go 🤤
As a student, planning a few simple meals for the week can help you save money, waste less food, and avoid constant takeaways.
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