Scran the great uniter!

When you're sharing a flat with people you've just met, food might be the key to bringing everyone together. One of the easiest ways to break the ice? Cook something together.

Food is more than just fuel; it’s a brilliant conversation starter, a way to share something personal, and an excuse to hang out in the kitchen. Here are a few easy recipe ideas that are great for group cooking (and eating):

1. One-Pot Pasta Night

Feeds: 4-5 | Time: 25 mins

Pasta is a student staple for a reason. Make it a flat affair by throwing together a simple one-pot pasta.

Ingredients:

• 500g pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• A handful of spinach or any veg you like
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese to serve

Method:

1. Sauté onion and garlic in a bit of oil.
2. Add chopped tomatoes, herbs, pasta, and enough water to just cover the pasta.
3. Stir often as it cooks down (about 10–12 minutes).
4. Toss in spinach or other veg in the last few minutes.
5. Top with cheese and serve!

Bonding tip: Ask each flatmate to bring a unique topping from home. Chilli flakes, parmesan, that one hot sauce, or even a fried egg if you're feeling exotic...

2. Flat Curry Club

Feeds: 4-6 | Time: 45 mins

A big batch of curry is cosy and comforting (especially with all the trimmings) and ideal for bringing different flavour influences together.

Basic ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp curry paste or powder
• 400ml coconut milk
• 2 tins chickpeas or diced chicken
• 1 pepper or other veg
• Fresh coriander (optional)

Method:

1. Fry onion, garlic, and ginger.
2. Stir in curry paste, then coconut milk, chickpeas/chicken and veg.
3. Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
4. Serve with rice or naan.

Bring your spin: Got a favourite curry dish from home? Make it your turn to lead the next dinner and surprise them with your speciality (just make sure to check everyone's allergies and preferences!).

3. DIY Flat Fajita Night

Feeds: 4 | Time: 30 mins

Lay everything out and let everyone build their own wraps.

Ingredients:

• 2–3 peppers
• 1 onion
• 400g chicken or plant-based strips
• Fajita seasoning or a mix of cumin, paprika & chilli powder
• Tortilla wraps
• Grated cheese, sour cream, guac, salsa

Method:

1. Stir fry onion and peppers. Set aside.
2. Cook chicken or strips with seasoning.
3. Warm tortillas and let everyone create their own masterpiece.

4. Baking Night (Cookies or Traybake)

Feeds: Everyone who walks into your kitchen | Time: 20-30 mins

Sweet treats bring people together. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of cookies?

Cookie base:

• 125g butter
• 100g brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 200g self-raising flour
• 100g chocolate chips

Method:

1. Cream butter and sugar, add egg and mix.
2. Stir in flour and chocolate chips.
3. Scoop onto a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 12–15 mins.

Personal twist: Get everyone to throw in a different chocolate treat into your mix so your "chips" are made up of everyone's favourite chocolate.

You don’t need to be a pro chef. Even something as simple as showing someone how your family makes fried rice, sharing a spice mix from home, or introducing others to a dish from your culture can kick off some brilliant chats.

So next time you're all figuring out what to eat, head to the kitchen and get stuck in together. You'll build memories, save some cash, and maybe start a new flat tradition.