Simple Meals You Can Actually Cook

You’ll need

• 2 slices of bread
• grated cheddar
• a tiny smear of mustard or mayo
• butter

How to make it

1. 1.Butter the outside of the bread.
2. 2.Layer cheese inside.
3. 3.Toast in a frying pan on medium heat for 3-4 minutes each side until golden and melted.

Cost: ~50p

You’ll need

• 1 pitta bread
• canned tuna (drained) or chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon mayo
• handful of sweetcorn

How to make it

1. 1.Toast the pitta, slice open the top.
2. 2.Mix ingredients together in a mug, and stuff inside.

Cost: ~80p

You’ll need

• 100g pasta
• half a tin of chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 vegetable stock cube
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• handful of spinach

How to make it

1. 1.Put pasta in a saucepan, cover with boiling water just to the top of the pasta.
2. 2.Stir in tomatoes, garlic, and crumbled stock cube.
3. 3.Simmer for 10-12 minutes until water is absorbed and thickens into a sauce.
4. 4.Stir in spinach at the end until wilted.

Cost: ~£1.00

You’ll need

• 1/2 bag frozen stir-fry vegetables
• 2 eggs, beaten, or a tin of drained chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil or vegetable oil
• rice or noodles to go with it

How to make it

1. 1.Cook the rice or noodles first so it's ready when the pan is.
2. 2.Heat the oil in a large frying pan on high until it just starts to shimmer.
3. 3.Add the vegetables and fry for 3-4 minutes — crisp, not soggy.
4. 4.Push everything to one side, pour in the eggs, scramble, then mix it all together.
5. 5.Stir in the soy sauce, give it one last toss, and it's done.

Cost: ~£1.20

You’ll need

• 250g minced beef, or chicken pieces (bite-sized)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or paprika
• 200g pasta
• handful of grated cheddar (optional)

How to make it

1. 1.Brown the mince, or fry the chicken pieces, in a dry pan on high heat for 4-5 minutes, breaking the mince up with a spoon.
2. 2.Add the onion and garlic, fry another 2 minutes until soft.
3. 3.Pour in the tomatoes, half a tin of water, the oregano and the pasta. Stir well.
4. 4.Simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the pasta is soft and the sauce is thick.
5. 5.Chicken is ready when there's no pink left anywhere. Stir in the cheese at the end if you're using it.

Cost: ~£1.80

You’ll need

• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp melted butter or oil

How to make it

1. 1.Mix dry ingredients directly in your mug.
2. 2.Stir in liquid ingredients until smooth.
3. 3.Microwave on high for 60-70 seconds.
4. 4.Let cool for 1 minute before eating.

Cost: ~30p