{"id":35986,"date":"2025-10-10T16:48:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T15:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk\/quench\/?p=35986"},"modified":"2025-10-10T16:48:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T15:48:32","slug":"a-students-guide-to-building-a-great-pantry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk\/quench\/food-and-drink\/a-students-guide-to-building-a-great-pantry\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Pot Noodles and Meal Deals: A Student\u2019s Guide to Building a Great Pantry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most relatable experiences that every university student has stumbled upon is scouring the food cupboards for a classic pot noodle or reaching for that lonesome banana because nothing else can be found. Do you find yourself chucking together whatever\u2019s left in your fridge to create an edible substance, or have you committed to the life of meal deals whenever you can\u2019t be bothered? Whether you\u2019re looking for ways to meal prep or to curate nutritious weeknight meals that don\u2019t hurt your wallet, we\u2019re going to go through the staples every student should have in their pantry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to think of your pantry as the closet of your kitchen. One of the biggest mistakes I made at the beginning of uni when doing my weekly food shop was grabbing any foods I liked without considering how I could put them all together. This would often leave me staring into the dark abyss of my pantry with regret and longing for a hearty meal that seemed impossible to build. The solution to this is simple\u2014following a formula of carbs + protein + veg + seasonings will allow you to keep a well-stocked pantry and prepare you for many weeknight meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbs<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first tip is to always keep a good selection of carbs on hand\u2014they\u2019re the backbone of every meal and fill you up without emptying your wallet. Buying in bulk is your best friend here. Pasta and rice are often cheaper by the kilo, and freezing loaves of bread guarantees a long-lasting supply. Keep a packet of noodles for a quick stir-fry or cheeky chow mein when you\u2019re low on time. A cupboard stocked with a mix of carbs is a lifesaver on those days when you\u2019re hungry, tired, and need something extra satisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proteins<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bulk-buying works wonders for proteins too. If you cook with any sort of meat, grab the larger packs and freeze them\u2014not only will it do your wallet a favour, but you won\u2019t have to worry about the horrid task of sniffing suspicious chicken to check if it’s gone off. Personally, I always recommend choosing skin-on, bone-in meats as they can often be less than half the price of their processed counterparts. Marinating meats and separating them into meal-sized portions to freeze is also a great hack for quick and easy weeknight meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a vegetarian, you\u2019ve got it a lot easier. You can save extra by sticking to buying protein-filled tinned lentils, beans, and boxed tofu that have a loving relationship with your pantry, as their expiration dates are far in the distance. They\u2019re brilliant time-savers too\u2014no soaking, no boiling, just open and toss into curries, stir-fries, or salads. Even if you\u2019re not veggie, these are staples worth keeping as they can be a great addition of protein and fibre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fruit and Veg<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No pantry\u2019s complete without a bit of colour\u2014and that\u2019s where fruit and veg come in. Although it\u2019s practically impossible to get students to hit their five-a-day, adding some greens (and reds, and yellows) doesn\u2019t have to be hard. Try making simple snack pots. My go-to is apple slices with peanut butter, or just toss a banana or orange into your bag before lectures. For your weekly shop, pick up easy, versatile veg like broccoli, bok choy, salad leaves, and tomatoes. They last well and go with almost anything. If you\u2019re unsure how to cook them, stick to the basics: steam or boil for minimal effort, saut\u00e9 with garlic for instant flavour, or throw them into a quick side salad. Small habits like these go a long way towards hitting your veggie goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seasonings<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also want our pantry to be stocked with versatile seasonings to avoid the pain of making unnecessary trips back to the store. Garlic and onion powder are a powerful pair, adding a fragrant aroma to any dish of your choice. A small bottle of soy sauce adds umami and can be used in a ginger soy salmon or a chicken chow mein. Tomato paste has a distinct sweet and savoury tang that enhances hearty stews and is essential for most Italian dishes (but of course don\u2019t forget your Italian mixed herbs to go with). For those who enjoy spice, opt for a combination of almighty Cajun seasoning, ras el hanout, and chilli flakes. These can be used as marinades for lamb, chicken or legumes which can then be turned into a flavour-bomb tajine when you feel like it. It\u2019s also handy to keep a bottle of curry powder in your cabinet. When paired with a dash of sugar-free yogurt you\u2019ll get a delicious curry that can easily transform your life and you\u2019ll never have to rely on takeout again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arguably the most essential ingredient in your kitchen is oil. Your choice of oil can really elevate the taste of all your meals and can also influence your health. I like to keep a bottle of olive oil for any salads and a high smoke point oil like rapeseed or avocado for cooking and baking. Otherwise, butter and lard are also great options for cooking and can add a further layer of flavour (tip: these pair especially well with breakfast eggs). A few extras that aren\u2019t essential but can elevate a dish are seeds and nuts, honey, lemon, and any cheese. These are great toppings for salads or rice bowls that can give you extra protein, fibre, and vitamins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recipes<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get you started, here are two budget-friendly recipes that take less than 20 minutes to conjure up, and everything you need will probably be found in your new and improved pantry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One-Pot Cheddar Broccoli Orzo<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients (for 1 portion):<\/p>\n\n\n\n