5 Budget-Friendly Vegan Dishes Every Cardiff Uni Student Must Try!

As a student living in Cardiff, I know the struggle of balancing coursework, nights out, and eating well on a tight budget. But trust me, just because you’re broke doesn’t mean you have to live off instant noodles! Whether you’re vegan, plant-based, or just looking to save some cash, these five easy, cheap, and delicious meals will keep you fueled without breaking the bank.

1. Cauliflower & Potato Curry

A staple in my kitchen! This curry is warm, comforting, and packed with flavor. Plus, cauliflower and potatoes are some of the cheapest veggies you can get at Lidl or Tesco Express.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5cm grated ginger
• 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp turmeric, curry powder (to taste)
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ cauliflower, chopped
• 1 large potato, cubed
• 1 chili (optional)
• Juice of half a lemon (optional)
• Rice or naan to serve

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C and roast the cauliflower with oil, salt, and pepper for 10-15 minutes.
2. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until soft, then add the spices.
3. Stir in chopped tomatoes, sugar, cauliflower, potatoes, and chili.
4. Cover and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve with rice or naan. Enjoy!

Tip: Buy cauliflower and potatoes in bulk from Cardiff Market—they last ages and are super cheap!

2. Vegan Bolognese

A hearty, comforting classic that’s perfect for meal prepping and fueling late-night study sessions in the library.

Ingredients:

• 400g vegan mince or minced mushrooms
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 celery stick, diced
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 90g spaghetti
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• Salt & pepper

Method:

1. Cook the onion and garlic in a pan until soft.
2. Add mushrooms/vegan mince and cook for a few minutes.
3. Stir in chopped tomatoes, mixed herbs, and seasoning. Let it simmer.
4. Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions.
5. Serve the sauce over the pasta and enjoy!

Tip: Lidl’s own-brand spaghetti is super cheap and tastes just as good as the pricier brands!

3. Stir-Fry Rice Bowl

Quick, easy, and packed with whatever leftover veggies you’ve got in your fridge. Perfect for those nights when you’re too tired to cook but need something nutritious.

Ingredients:

• Carrots, courgette, mushrooms, bean sprouts, spinach
• Soy sauce
• Tofu or plant-based protein (optional)
• Cooked rice or noodles
• Sesame oil (optional)

Method:

1. Fry tofu (if using) until golden and set aside.
2. Stir-fry the veggies on high heat until slightly charred but still crunchy.
3. Add soy sauce and mix well.
4. Serve with rice or noodles.

Tip: The international supermarkets on City Road have great deals on tofu and fresh veggies!

4. Curried Tofu Wraps

A Cathays kitchen favorite—these wraps are filling, flavorful, and easy to take to campus for a quick lunch between lectures.

Ingredients:

• ½ red cabbage, shredded
• 4 tbsp dairy-free yogurt
• 3 tbsp mint sauce
• 600g tofu, cubed
• 2 tbsp tandoori curry paste
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 8 chapatis
• 2 limes, cut into quarters

Method:

1. Mix cabbage, yogurt, and mint sauce and set aside.
2. Toss tofu with tandoori paste and 1 tbsp oil, then fry until golden.
3. Cook onions and garlic until soft, then add tofu.
4. Warm up the chapatis and fill them with tofu and cabbage mix.
5. Squeeze fresh lime on top and wrap it up!

 Tip: Get fresh chapatis from the Asian stores on City Road—they’re cheap and taste amazing!

5. Vegan Ramen

Nothing beats a big bowl of ramen after a long, cold walk back from the SU. This dish is cozy, satisfying, and super simple to make!

Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• Thumb-sized ginger, sliced
• 1½ tbsp miso paste
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 15g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1L vegan stock
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 200g tofu, cubed
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp oil
• 100g ramen or rice noodles
• 1 head pak choi, quartered
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 25g bean sprouts
• 1 carrot, julienned
• Sesame oil, sriracha, crushed peanuts (optional)

Method:

1. Simmer garlic, ginger, miso, tahini, mushrooms, stock, and soy sauce for 5 minutes.
2. Coat tofu in cornflour and fry until crispy.
3. Cook noodles slightly less than the package suggests.
4. Reheat broth, add pak choi and spring onions.
5. Divide noodles into bowls, pour in broth, and top with tofu and veggies.

 Tip: Buy instant ramen noodles and upgrade them with fresh ingredients to save money!

Final Thoughts 

Living in Cardiff means you’re surrounded by great (and affordable!) grocery stores, so eating well doesn’t have to be expensive. These five meals are proof that you can cook delicious, budget-friendly dishes with minimal effort. So next time you’re tempted to order a takeaway, give one of these recipes a go instead!