Student-Approved Autumn Recipes

Cosy flavours to try on a budget this season!

Now that the first few weeks of the term are well underway, summer is fading, and autumn is creeping in. While the cosy season is fast approaching, it brings colder weather and darker evenings, making it feel a lot harder to whip up those healthy home-cooked recipes.

As someone in their final year, I know this story all too well. But, I also know how important it is to ensure you’re keeping up with eating all the right foods, to keep you going as the year turns colder and your workload increases. By embracing autumn flavours this season you can fuel your body with cosy, nutrient-dense meals. Having wanted to explore the foods of the autumn season myself and their effectiveness for a student on a budget, I’ve tried and tested some classic recipes that not only came out to £2.70 per portion but are deliciously comforting and packed with goodness!

Seasonal Soup

It would only feel right to start with a staple of the autumn student diet. Both cheap and versatile…Soup! It really is the perfect recipe for a student this autumn. All you need is a pan, some vegetables, herbs, stock and voila! Pair it with any type of bread and you have a balanced, budget-friendly meal that can be batch-made and frozen all year round. Having tried various combinations of random vegetables that my housemates had accumulated at the back of the fridge, I can guarantee any left-over vegetable scraps can contribute to a lovely soup.

If you’re looking to bulk up your soup, consider adding a protein source—chicken, tofu, or butter beans all work well in almost any basic soup recipe. 

For budget-friendly inspiration, check out the BBC’s ‘Hearty Vegetable Soup’ for a great guideline for beginners at approximately £1.20 per portion. I even tossed in some garlic and celery that were about to go off- it’s all about using what you have. Feeling under the weather? Try adding some grated ginger for an immune boost!

If you’re looking for something comforting and fuelling this autumn that won’t break the bank, soup is the recipe that will have you hooked right up until the end of the semester.

Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese

My personal favourite for a cosy meal is a classic mac ‘n’ cheese, but this time with a seasonal twist! Adding butternut squash creates this perfect autumn warmth to this simple recipe whilst being packed with fibre and more immune-boosting qualities, essential for the winter months. 

Don’t worry, I tested this recipe on one of my veggie-sceptic friends and she can report it’s just as good- if not better- than the original. Simply halve a squash, drizzle it with oil, and roast it. Once it’s soft, scoop out the flesh and mix it into your cheese sauce. Again, BBC Good Food contains a detailed yet simple version of this butternut mac ‘n’ cheese recipe. At £2.70 per portion, it’s cheaper than your average campus coffee!

These autumn recipes are easy for any student to make- whether you’re cooking solo or having a cosy flatmate dinner night. Batch cooking can save time and money, so don’t be afraid to try new recipes and add your autumnal twist.

Words By: Lucy Bysouth