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21 Bachelor Recipes Indian Veg: Easy Breakfast & Dinner Under ₹50 (No-Fire Options)
The easiest bachelor recipes need only an induction, a small cooker and one pan – or no fire at all. Dahi poha, bhel, kettle poha, besan chilla, one-pot dal rice and masala khichdi all cost well under ₹50 a plate at home.
- Stock a monthly pantry: poha, oats, suji, besan, dal, rice, soya, peanuts, spices.
- Use no-fire and kettle recipes where cooking is not allowed.
- One-pot meals save time, gas and washing up.
Mess food boring and delivery expensive? These bachelor recipes are vegetarian, quick and made with very few utensils. Many need no fire at all – useful in hostels where cooking is restricted (check your hostel or PG rules first).
No-fire recipes
- Dahi Poha
- Murmura Bhel
- Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich
- Fruit & Curd Bowl
- Chana-Peanut Salad
- Curd Rice (with leftover rice)
- Cold Coffee and Banana Shake
Kettle-water recipes
- Masala Oats – just hot water
- Kettle Poha
- Soya Chunk Chaat
One-pan and one-pot meals
- Breakfast: Besan Chilla, Bread Upma, Suji Upma, Paneer Bhurji Toast, Banana Atta Pancake
- Lunch & dinner: One-Pot Dal Rice, Masala Khichdi, Soya Pulao, Desi Masala Pasta, Tomato Rice, Veg Dalia Khichdi
In our book each recipe is costed for one person with approximate city prices, and every plate comes under ₹50. Prices vary, so recalculate with your local rates.
Make tomorrow's breakfast a no-fire dahi poha: soak poha 2 minutes, drain, mix curd, salt and chaat masala.
Your monthly pantry
- Poha, oats, suji, besan and dalia
- Rice, moong dal and masoor dal
- Soya chunks, peanuts and makhana
- Salt, haldi, mirchi, jeera, garam masala and chaat masala
- Oil or ghee, tea and coffee
Want more family-style meals later? See our 7-day budget meal plan and the pressure cooker whistle chart.
A simple week for one
Show as text
| Day | Breakfast | Dinner |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Dahi Poha | One-Pot Dal Rice |
| Tue | Masala Oats | Masala Khichdi |
| Wed | Besan Chilla | Soya Pulao |
| Thu | Kettle Poha | Tomato Rice |
| Fri | Bread Upma | Desi Masala Pasta |
Kitchen rules for small rooms
- Cook once, eat twice – make enough for lunch the next day.
- Clean the pan right after cooking.
- Store dry items in airtight jars.
- Keep a small first-aid kit and never leave the induction on unattended.
Save more with our money saving tips for students, and learn the pressure cooker whistle chart for dal and rice. More: Indian Recipe eBooks.
A look inside the eBook: Hostel & Bachelor Cooking
This article covers the basics. The full eBook goes step by step – these are real sample pages from the 24-page PDF. Tap any page to see it bigger.
What you get for ₹99
- 30 recipes under ₹50
- 11 no-fire recipes
- 7-day plan for one
- Bachelor Kitchen Basics – Monthly pantry, budget and 6 rules.
- No-Cook Recipes – 5 recipes like dahi poha and bhel.
- 24-page PDF · read on phone or print at home · instant download after payment
Coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What can bachelors cook without a stove?
Dahi poha, bhel, sandwiches, salads, curd rice and kettle recipes like masala oats and soya chaat need no stove.
What is the cheapest bachelor meal?
One-pot dal rice, masala khichdi, tomato rice and suji upma are among the cheapest home meals.
Which utensils does a bachelor need?
An induction, a 2-litre pressure cooker and one non-stick pan cover almost every recipe.
Can I cook in a hostel room?
Check your hostel or PG rules first. Where cooking is not allowed, use no-fire and kettle recipes.
What is a healthy bachelor breakfast?
Besan chilla, dahi poha, oats, or a fruit and curd bowl are quick and filling.
