A recipe developer has shared their top tips for university students preparing to cook for themselves for the first time, including the one skill that every parent should teach their kids
As a new class of students head off to university, many will be navigating the kitchen for the first time. The idea of cooking can be daunting for any new-starters, especially when it’s combined with the pressure of leaving home.
With that in mind, Gousto’s lead recipe developer, Sophie Nahmad, has created a free guide to help students fuel their bodies and their studies on a budget.
Gousto’s new guide Cook Smart: Uni Edition is designed as a toolkit to help students eat nutritiously while saving money and gaining confidence in the kitchen. The guide features simple chef hacks that should come in handy throughout university and beyond.
Sophie recommends teaching your children to cook five types of meals before they leave home: “If students go to uni with just five meals under their belt, they’ll be far more likely to eat well, spend less, and avoid the instant noodle burnout by week three.
“These aren’t just easy and affordable, they teach core skills students can use to build endless meal variations throughout the year.”
Roux
“The number one thing to teach your kids before uni is how to make a roux,” says Sophie. This simple process of combining flour and fat is the base of many sauces, soups and stews.
“Think of it as the building block that makes sauces thick, creamy, and smooth…It also boosts confidence in combining herbs, spices, and pantry staples into meals that feel homemade and satisfying.”
One-Pot Pasta or Stir-Fry
“These quick meals teach how to balance carbs, protein, and veg in a single pan, plus, you’ll master portion control and seasoning without waste,” says Sophie. Students can make five different meals using just one frying pan and five core ingredients, including burrito bowls, egg fried rice, and spicy shakshuka.
Oven Tray Bake
This type of bake is stress-free and versatile as you can use chicken, tofu or halloumi. Sophie says it also teaches important kitchen techniques: “Simple, hands-off cooking that teaches temperature control and timing, great for feeding housemates or prepping lunches.”
DIY Chilli or Curry
This is a great way for students to incorporate more vegetables into their diet, according to Sophie. “Ideal for batch cooking and freezing, these meals stretch across multiple days, help reduce waste, and encourage creativity with spice blends and toppings.”
Egg-Based Meals
Think shakshuka, omelettes and fried rice. Not only are eggs “cheap, fast, and protein-rich” but these dishes are great for “fridge-raids, hangovers, or nights when energy is low but hunger is high” says Sophie.