Healthy Student Meals For One With HelloFresh

Updated by Lydia Kah-Pavlou

Eating solo? Here are some cheap and easy student meals for one.

Cooking for multiple people versus for one person can be difficult.

Most recipes can cook enough to feed your entire flat and messing around with the portion sizes can often end in disaster.

Luckily, if you're not that confident in the kitchen and are looking for easy and healthy meals, HelloFresh has got it covered, with their tasty range of meals for one. With easy-to-follow recipe cards and pre-portioned ingredients, it will honestly save your life when it comes to dinner time.

Not only are the meals for one a great way to cook an easy meal for one person, but it can help to reduce food waste thanks to the pre-portioned ingredients, which is a great bonus!

Every HelloFresh meal comes with ingredients from trusted suppliers, so you don't have to worry about the quality, which is ideal if you don't have time to get to the shops between lectures. You can rest knowing a healthy meal is on the way for dinner, and you won't have to faff around weighing ingredients.

Oh, and obviously, we have a HelloFresh student discount too to help you save some cash. Students can get 55% off your first box as well as free treats for 3 months, so there's no harm in trying it out and seeing if you enjoy it.

If you're not sure, we've picked out some of the best easy student meals for one from HelloFresh to give you some dinner time inspo.

Best easy meals for one from HelloFresh

HelloFresh rotate their meal boxes regularly, but here are some of the tasty meals you could get delivered straight to your front door. We've broken down the ingredients you'll get in each box and the steps you need to follow to cook your dinner, so you can see just how easy using HelloFresh is!

1. Speedy Sausage Pasta

If you’re a student juggling deadlines, socials, and a tiny kitchen, this Speedy Sausage Pasta is exactly the kind of win you need. It’s one of those easy meals for one that feels hearty and proper without eating up your time. The method is super straightforward (cook, stir, and eat) making it ideal for busy weeknights. The rich tomato and balsamic sauce, herby sausage meat, and sneaky hit of spinach make it feel way more grown-up than your average student dinner, while still being fast and.

Pre-portioned ingredients included in the box:

• British pork and oregano sausage meat

• Rigatoni pasta

• Balsamic vinegar

• Tomato puree

• Finely chopped tomatoes with onion and garlic

• Baby spinach

• Grated hard Italian-style cheese

• Chicken stock powder

• Sun-dried tomato paste

Method:

1. Cook the sausage meat in the pan on a medium-high heat

2. Cook the rigatoni in a separate pan and drain once done

3. Add balsamic vinegar, sausage meat and tomato puree in a frying pan and stir for 2 minutes

4. Add the tomatoes, chicken stock powder, water and a pinch of salt to the frying pan

5. When the sauce is cooked add the spinach and stir in sundried tomato paste

6. Add the rigatoni and the cheese and mix together

Get a student discount at HelloFresh

2. Halloumi Burger

This halloumi burger is a total student staple when you want something comforting but still a bit special. The recipe is simple and low-stress, with most of the work happening in the oven while you get on with other things. Crispy halloumi coated in sweet chilli sauce, soft burger bun, and fresh salad make it feel indulgent without being heavy. With golden wedges on the side and you’ve got a quick, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for solo nights in.

Pre-portioned ingredients included in the box:

• Potatoes

• Bell pepper

• Halloumi

• Mayonnaise

• Sweet chilli sauce

• Burger bun

• Carrot

• Baby gem lettuce

Method:

1. Chop the potatoes into wedges, drizzle with oil and cook in the oven for half an hour

2. Cut the peppers, lettuce and halloumi

3. Drizzle oil on the pepper and cook in the oven alongside the potato wedges

4. Cook the halloumi in a frying pan and coat in sweet chilli sauce

5. Mix the lettuce and carrot with the mayonnaise

6. Heat the burger bun and add the halloumi and roasted pepper and serve with wedges and salad

Get a student discount at HelloFresh

3. Chicken Green Thai Curry

This Thai green chicken curry is a quick, feel-good dinner that’s perfect for busy nights when you still want something full of flavour. Tender chicken is simmered in a creamy coconut sauce with crisp green beans and sweet red pepper, all brought to life with fragrant green curry paste and a fresh squeeze of lime. Served over fluffy rice and finished with a sprinkle of coriander, it’s warming, comforting, and surprisingly easy to pull together— ideal when you want a proper meal without the hassle.

Pre-portioned ingredients included in the box:

• Bell pepper

• Green beans

• Diced chicken thigh

• Lime

• Coriander

• Coconut milk

• Soy sauce

• Steamed basmati rice

• Thai green curry paste

Method:

1. Trim and chop the green beans, slice the red pepper, and roughly chop the coriander

2. Heat oil in a frying pan and stir-fry the chicken until lightly browned

3. Add the pepper and green beans and cook for another minute

4. Stir in the green curry paste, then add the coconut milk. Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked and veg is tender

5. Cook the rice according to the packet instructions

6. Finish the curry with soy sauce and a squeeze of lime, then serve over rice and top with coriander

Get a student discount at HelloFresh

4. Turkey Steak with Oven-Baked Leek & Green Bean Risotto

This turkey and baked risotto dish is a great pick if you’re looking for healthy student meals that still feel filling and comforting. Lean turkey provides plenty of protein, while the oven-baked risotto keeps things creamy without constant stirring. With soft leeks, green beans, fragrant thyme, and a fresh tomato salad on the side, it’s a balanced plate that feels fresh and satisfying. It’s simple to make, packed with flavour, and ideal for students who want something wholesome without spending ages in the kitchen.

Pre-portioned ingredients included in the box:

• Arborio rice

• Premium tomato mix

• Green beans

• Creme fraiche

• Grated hard italian cheese

• Leek

• Chicken stock powder

• Garlic glove

• British turkey steak

• Dried thyme

Method:

1. Preheat the oven, boil the kettle and chop and prepare the vegetables

2. Season the turkey

3. Cook the leek in an ovenproof dish until soft, then add the garlic, green beans, rice, and thyme. Stir, add the stock, cover, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes

4. Pan-fry the turkey in a frying pan until golden and cooked through, then sprinkle with half the cheese and rest briefly

5. Halve the tomatoes and toss with olive oil, salt, and a pinch of sugar to make the salad

6. Stir butter and remaining cheese into the risotto, season, then serve topped with sliced turkey and the tomato salad on the side

Get a student discount at HelloFresh

5. Hunter's Chicken with Potato Wedges and Homemade Baked Beans

This hunter’s chicken is a go-to student dinner when you want something filling, comforting, and seriously low effort. The chicken is coated in BBQ sauce, wrapped in bacon, and topped with melted cheese for that proper fakeaway vibe, while crispy wedges and easy homemade baked beans turn it into a full, satisfying meal. Most of it cooks in the oven, so you’re not stuck watching the hob, and the ingredients are simple, affordable, and big on flavour. Perfect for nights when you want maximum comfort with minimal stress.

Pre-portioned ingredients included in the box:

• British chicken breasts

• Potato

• BBQ sauce

• Streaky bacon rasher

• Cannellini beans

• Onion

• Smoked paprika

• Tomato passata

• Baby spinach

• Mature cheddar cheese

Method:

1. Preheat the oven and chop the potatoes into wedges, toss with oil and salt, and roast until golden and crispy

2. Coat the chicken in most of the BBQ sauce, season, wrap each breast with bacon, and place on a baking tray

3. Roast the chicken in the oven until cooked through

4. While it cooks, soften the chopped onion in a pan, then stir in smoked paprika

5. Add the passata, water, and cannellini beans and simmer until thickened, then stir through the spinach until wilted

6. Top the chicken with grated cheese and grill until melted and bubbling. Serve with wedges, beans, and extra BBQ sauce

Get a student discount at HelloFresh

Easy student meals for one

If you prefer doing your own shopping and cooking from scratch, here are some easy meals for one you can cook from your halls with minimal ingredients needed.

Check out our essential uni food shopping list for the essentials you need to make meal times easier.

1. Bolognese sandwich

Got some leftover bolognese, realised you ran out of pasta, or fancy a bolognese in general? A bolognese sandwich can be one of your cheap student meals for one. Simply cook up a bolognese as normal, add between some bread and voila! You can jazz it up a bit by grating a little cheese for added flavour too.

If you have a toastie maker, you’ll really elevate this recipe. Otherwise, two slices of un-toasted bread is totally fine too, particularly if you prefer a softer texture.

If you’re after more toasties in your diet, we’ve got the best toastie fillings and ideas UK.

Ingredients:

• Minced meat or vegetarian alternative

• Tinned chopped tomatoes

• Veggies of choice

• Onions

• Garlic

• Two slices of bread or a baguette

• Cheese

Method:

1. Cook a bolognese as you normally would using mince, onion, garlic, tinned tomatoes, and any extra veg you like

2. Let the sauce simmer until thick and hot

3. Spoon the bolognese onto one slice of bread and sprinkle over some grated cheese

4. Top with the second slice of bread

5. Eat as is, or cook in a toastie maker (or frying pan) until golden and melty

2. Jacket potato

A jacket potato is a staple in many households, particularly among students too. It’s an incredibly versatile dish, as you can top it with anything you possibly want. That includes basics like baked beans, all the way to the bolognese you might have cooked earlier from our list!

Ingredients:

• Olive oil

• 1 large potato

• Toppings of choice (baked beans, cheese, salad etc)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C

2. Rub the potato with a little oil and pierce it a few times with a fork

3. Place the potato on a baking tray and bake on the top shelf for 20 minutes

4. Turn the oven down to 190°C and bake for another 45–60 minutes until crispy outside and soft inside

5. Cut open the potato, fluff the inside with a fork, and add your favourite toppings

3. Easy pizza on toast

Cheap student meals for one can be fun too, just like this pizza on toast recipe!

We mention pizza on toast in our post on easy uni student lunch ideas, especially if you have a toastie maker. But if you don’t, then a toaster and an oven are all you need to make this easy pizza on toast.

Taking just about 5-10 minutes (depending on how good your oven is), it’s one of those quick student meals for one that’ll quickly become a comfort during busy exam periods too, without the hefty price tag of a takeaway!

Ingredients:

• Bread

• Cheese

• Passata

• Toppings of choice (pepperonim, mushrooms, pepper etc)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven or grill until hot

2. Lightly toast the bread so it’s just starting to crisp

3. Spread passata over each slice of toast

4. Sprinkle over cheese and add your chosen toppings

5. Bake or grill for 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling

6. Remove, cool slightly, and enjoy your quick, cheap student meal for one

4. Quesadillas

Cheap student meals for one can still be seriously satisfying, and a cheese quesadilla proves it. Taking just a few minutes to make, it’s perfect for quick lunches, late-night snacks, or when you want something warm and comforting without spending much at all. With crispy tortillas and melted cheese, it gives you all the takeaway vibes using ingredients you probably already have. Simple, affordable, and endlessly customisable, this is one student staple you’ll keep coming back to.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tortilla wraps

• Cheese

• Olive oil

• Extra fillings such as onion, pepper etc (optional)

Method:

1. Heat a frying pan on medium heat.

2. Place one tortilla in the pan and sprinkle cheese evenly over it.

3. Add any extra fillings if you like.

4. Place the second tortilla on top and cook until the bottom is golden.

5. Flip carefully and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.

5. Microwave fajitas

Student dinner ideas don’t get better than this. While microwave fajitas may sound like a group recipe, we believe it can also be one of the most perfect easy student meals for one too. Plus, this recipe requires minimal clean-up time!

Simply slice up the veg and pop them into a microwaveable bowl, then slice your protein of choice and pop them in the bowl too. Add your fajita seasoning mix and microwave everything until it’s fully cooked through (around 10 minutes).

Be sure to regularly check on it and stir the mix each time to ensure it’s all cooking as evenly as possible. To be extra sure, there should be no pink juices if cooking with meat (juices should run clear) — you can cut the meat in two to inspect the middle. Finally, serve it up in a wrap with sauces of choice such as sour cream, avocado, salsa mix and some cheese.

Ingredients:

• Wraps

• Protein (chicken, beef, tofu)

• Peppers

• Onions

• Fajita seasoning

• Sour cream

• Salsa

• Avocado

• Cheese

Method:

1. Slice your vegetables and your protein of choice.

2. Put everything into a microwave-safe bowl.

3. Add fajita seasoning and a drizzle of oil, then mix well.

4. Microwave for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes so it cooks evenly.

5. Check the protein is fully cooked (no pink in the middle if using meat).

6. Spoon the filling into wraps, add cheese and any sauces you like, and enjoy.

Average portion sizes when cooking for one

Struggle with knowing how much to cook when you're cooking from scratch? We've got it covered.

Average portion of pasta per person

Pasta is one of those things that’s easy to over-measure. The general rule of thumb is that 450g-500g of uncooked pasta will make around four portions of cooked pasta. So by this logic, if you’re making pasta for one, you’ll need anywhere between 50g and 150g of dry pasta per person is probably ideal.

Average portion of rice per person

Rice is another one of those ingredients that’s hard to measure. It also depends on the dish you’re making too, depending on if it’s being treated as a side dish or incorporated into the base of a meal.

An average serving of rice for one person is around 90g uncooked for a side dish, or 120–150g uncooked if it’s the main part of the meal.

Need more cooking tips and inso? Check out HelloFresh's blog for even more handy cooking advice.

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