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What’s cooking? Your guide to autumn eats

A rustic autumn food still life featuring a bright yellow pumpkin, eggs, honey, apples, wheat, leafy branches, and other seasonal produce arranged on a dark wooden table

Whether you’re a fresher still figuring out which building your lecture is in or a returning student already back in your university routine, there’s one question that never seems to go away: what’s my next meal?

With colder evenings setting in, autumn is the perfect time for warm, comforting meals. But after a busy day of lectures, studying and everything in between, spending hours in the kitchen probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list.

That’s why we’ve rounded up quick, healthy and student-friendly autumn recipes that are easy to make, full of seasonal flavour and perfect for cosy evenings.

Pumpkin and lentil soup

Whether you’re carving a Halloween pumpkin or picking up a squash from the supermarket, don’t let the flesh go to waste. Turn it into a creamy pumpkin and lentil soup that’s warming and filling. It’s an easy one-pot meal, with lentils adding protein and fibre to keep you satisfied.

A bowl of creamy pumpkin and lentil soup garnished with herbs and seeds, surrounded by a pumpkin, lentils, wheat, and rustic bread on a wooden table

Wheat berry salad

If you think salads are just for summer, this one might change your mind. The wheat berry and butternut squash salad brings together some of autumn’s best ingredients in one bowl. It’s packed with fibre, full of flavour and easy to prepare, making it a great option when you want a break from heavier comfort food.

A clear glass plate with cooked grain salad, mixed vegetables, dried cranberries, a cherry tomato, and a mint garnish

Chicken, leek and browb rice stir fry

When you’re short on time but still want a proper meal, this chicken, leek and brown rice stir fry can be your go to option. With lean chicken for protein, brown rice for fibre and seasonal leeks for a subtle sweetness, it’s a simple way to pack plenty of flavour in just 15 mins.

A pan filled with stir-fried chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, topped with sesame seeds. Chopsticks rest on the pan’s edge

Apple crumble

If you’ve got apples left in your fruit bowl, turn them into a quick autumn dessert. Apple crumble is simple to make, requires minimal ingredients and little effort. The fresh apples add natural sweetness, while oats provide a source of fibre for a more wholesome twist on this classic treat.

A baked fruit crumble topped with golden, buttery crumbs, served warm in a white bowl with a dollop of whipped cream.

For more tips on looking after your wellbeing, from healthy eating to simple ways to feel your best right from the start of the new academic year, check out the latest edition of Live Well, Feel Great.