2017 is the year for vegetarians and vegans. Gone are the days when everyone thought non-meat eaters were just weirdos, and now many new people are hopping on the bandwagon. The year started with people trying out ‘Veganury’ in the month of January and there has been an increase in popular food bloggers who don’t cook with meat.

As well as this, the amount of vegetarian dishes at restaurants are on the rise. However, there is still a common misconception that it’s too difficult to cook in this way when on a budget. Today I'm going to smash that and give you five easy-peasy, cheap and delicious vegetarian meals to try (from an actual vegetarian student).

1. Butternut squash curry

Who knew that it was so simple to make your own curry? There’s nothing like an Indian takeaway over the weekend, but if you’re looking for a healthier and vegetarian option, this delicious dish will certainly satisfy your craving!

2. Creamy tomato and spinach pasta

Whatever mood you’re in, pasta will always be there for you. Fact. Ditch the unhealthy and boring sauces from a jar and try out this recipe for size. This dish is yummy and filling and perfect if you’re cooking for more than one person (or want to go back for seconds).

3. Veggie stir fry

Okay, okay you might be thinking that you couldn’t possibly live without chicken or some kind of meat in your stir fry, but stay with me, the delicious blend of veg, sauce and noodles is so flavoursome you won’t even miss it. As well as being super tasty this is one of those ‘bish bash bosh’ kind of meals that’s ready in no time at all for when you really can’t be bothered to cook.

4. Veggie chilli

I don’t know about you, but chilli has always been a comfort food for me, especially, on cold, winter nights. This vegetarian version has all the flavour of the original, and you can have a clear conscience whilst eating it!

Top tip: Make a large batch and freeze portions so you have a tasty dinner ready for when you don’t have time to cook.

5. Raw kale, brussels and tahini salad

For those of you who are looking to get some green goodness into your diet, look no further than this delicious salad. All good ingredients included that will fill you up, as well as being oh so tasty. If you want to save a bit of money, pop this into an airtight container and take it to uni so you won’t be tempted to waste your money on overpriced meal deals.

Words: Yasmin Blackwell