Heading off to college or adjusting to new university life? Moving away from home can be both exciting and stressful, especially if it’s your first time away.

No doubt you’ll enjoy all that newfound freedom that comes with being a student. But knowing what to take with you is a bit of a minefield.

To spare you from that unnecessary clutter you’ll probably never use, we’ve compiled a list of eight uni kitchen essentials so that you’ll be fully equipped with everything you need for a long spell of studying (and partying!)

What Uni Kitchen Essentials Do I Need?

The kitchen is where all the fun happens as you wind down from a day of lectures and prepare a delicious meal with your uni friends from one of your favourite recipes. But with limited storage space a distinct probability, you’ll need to carefully select the best items to take with you. Keep reading to discover our must-have kitchen essentials for uni.

1. A Solid Saucepan

Probably the most important student kitchen item of all is a reliable saucepan or cooking pot. You can use it for all kinds of cooking from making rice to boiling pasta and for heating soups or warming last night’s leftovers.

If you’re cooking for one, your saucepan doesn’t need to be too big. However, if the cooking duties are shared, choose a larger pan so you can rustle something up for everyone in your group like this quick and easy mouthwatering chicken curry.

2. A Reliable Frying Pan

Frying Pan

A trusty frying pan is your forever friend when it comes to uni kitchen essentials. After all, what could be more satisfying than a proper fry-up after a late night at the student union bar?

Whether you’re frying eggs for breakfast or making a delicious beef stroganoff for dinner, this multi-purpose uni kitchen essential is guaranteed to get plenty of use – so don’t leave home without one!

3. An Ovenproof Dish

Another versatile kitchen essential for uni is a sturdy ovenproof dish. As the name suggests, it’s a dish you can whack in the oven without it cracking. Everyone needs one of those.

The great thing about an ovenproof dish is that it can be used to make everything from roasts to casseroles and even this filling chicken and rice bake. Not only that, but an ovenproof dish also doubles up as a baking tray for cakes and cooks and can even be used to reheat leftovers so that nothing you’ve made goes to waste.

4. A Chopping Board

If you’re cooking, you’ll be chopping, slicing, and cutting at some point. So, investing in a sturdy chopping board is a must. That way, you won’t have to use the kitchen worktop when preparing food, and you’ll avoid any fines for damaging surfaces!

Chopping boards come in all kinds of colours, designs, and materials including plastic and wood. They’re relatively inexpensive to buy, and you can pick one up for just a few pounds. A chopping board is a worthwhile investment for any student, and you’ll feel the benefit when prepping a meal like this chunky summer vegetable chilli.

5. A Sharp Knife

Nothing is more annoying than using the kitchen’s communal knife only to find it’s as blunt as a lecturer who’s late for lunch. That’s why a sharp knife should be a top priority in your uni kitchen essentials.

Admittedly, few student budgets can stretch to a full set of kitchen knives for a variety of kitchen tasks. Therefore, a multi-purpose knife is your best bet as you can use it for a range of different jobs like chopping up veggies in this delicious, low-cost, roasted veggie pasta.

6. A Classic Wooden Spoon

How can something so simple as a wooden spoon become such a uni kitchen essential? Because it’s easy to pack, simple to clean, and can be used for a multitude of tasks.

Whether you’re mixing, beating, folding, or serving, a wooden spoon can do it all. And no matter how badly you treat it, it’s almost indestructible. So, the next time you spice up midweek dinners with a zingy butter chicken, be sure to give it a good stir with a reliable wooden spoon.

7. Microwave-Safe Tubs

Every student should pack a selection of microwavable tubs in their box of uni kitchen essentials. They’re great for storing leftovers for a late night at the library, and a quick zap in the microwave will turn the contents into a tasty-warm meal.

Also, microwave-safe tubs are environmentally friendly as they help reduce waste by recycling leftover food. You’ll also save money on tin foil and cling film, and they can even spare you the hassle of washing up plates and dishes. Consider doubling up on the ingredients in this cheesy chicken and rice casserole and freezing the leftovers in a tub for another day. And if you are struggling to revise, you could even try out these 12 amazing brain-boosting foods before you bury your head back in the books.

8. Knives, Forks, Cutlery, and Crockery

It’s miraculous if you end your uni days with the same cutlery and crockery that you started with.

Cutlery and crockery have an uncanny way of disappearing in a typical student kitchen. And don’t expect to find the culprit – they’re generally more elusive than the TV remote when you need to change channel.

So, on this occasion, we recommend doubling up and packing at least two sets of each item in your uni kitchen essentials so that you’ll never be short of cutlery. After all, you won’t get far by tucking into this spicy seafood risotto with your bare fingers.

….and Don’t Forget the Campbell’s Soup with Your Uni Kitchen Essentials

When you’re dashing between lectures or late for rugby training, it sometimes helps to prepare something quick and easy for dinner using a can of Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken, Mushroom, or Tomato Soup for added convenience. Whether eaten on its own or as an ingredient in a recipe, our soups get students through their university studies!