It’s getting to that time of day where your stomach is trying to get your attention and the clock seems to start going backwards, yes it’s nearly lunchtime. And the soggy sandwich that’s sat at the bottom of your bag is not looking too appetising.

Let’s face it; nobody wants to pay £3 for something that is neither a meal nor deal. With this in mind we’ve put together a handy list of meals that you can easily make in the office kitchen, and won’t have to shell out a fortune for.

Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Everyone’s favourite 3-word dish, all you need is mac, cheese, water and some of the office milk (sorry not sorry). Microwave half a cup of water with half a cup of macaroni for two minutes at a time, mixing in between and making sure it doesn’t bubble over.

Then add as much cheese as you want and a dash of milk, microwave in 40-second intervals until the cheese has formed a sauce and bon appetite!

Risotto

Another dish that just requires a few ingredients and a bowl, and one you can spruce up with your own extra ingredients. You’ll need to stick a dash of butter (10g or so) into the microwave with a quarter of an onion (chopped), and heat that for a minute and a half, stirring midway.

Into this goes 60g of risotto rice, quarter of a cup of stock of your choosing, and garlic if you are that way inclined. Cover with clingfilm, and heat on medium power for three 2 minute intervals, adding some parmesan and herbs before the last time, and any additional stock required.

You’re pretty much done now and can eat this if you wish, or can add some extra ingredients such as vegetables and heat for another minute.

(Sweet) Potato Jackets

The humble potato is the next easy meal. This one literally requires a potato (sweet or otherwise), a fork and a microwave, but you can add your own special touch which is where it gets really exciting.

Simply take your potato, give it a quick rinse, then prick it mercilessly with a fork (about 7 times all round), or it will explode leaving the microwave a mess and you with egg (and hot potato) on your face.

Wrap your potato caringly in a kitchen towel, not foil, making sure it’s all snug and cosy, and pop it in the microwave. Each potato will usually take 6-8 minutes, and I would recommend turning them over halfway.

When the time is up stick a fork in and if it goes through but isn’t too soft, then you’re ready to eat. This can be simply cut in half or topped with butter, or you can let your creative juices flow and add your own touch, like tuna for example.

Omelette

Another simple meal that makes an easy yet filling dish, and perhaps one if you are extra pushed for time. You’ll need a saucer-like bowl, which you’ll need to grease by melting a teaspoon of butter in it in the microwave, for 30 seconds or so.

In a separate bowl, whisk 2 eggs with 25ml of water and as much salt and pepper as you want, until the egg is fully beaten. Add this to the butter, cover with clingfilm and pop in the microwave for a minute. After this, or once it has set if you need longer, you can take it out, add any fillings, ham and cheese for example, and serve (to yourself).

Spanish Rice

Another rice dish to finish the list off. All you need to do is add a can of chopped tomatoes in to a bowl of microwavable rice and mix together. Add some olives and almonds, along with a teaspoon of paprika and garlic powder (if you have any) and a dash of salt, and microwave it until the tomato juice comes to bubble and the rice is cooked through.

Alternatively you can microwave some beans with some chilli powder, garlic and salt, and add this to microwavable rice for a nice dish with beans.

Steve Hancock is a spokesperson for Kit Out My Office.