Rice and pasta can make the base of lots of quick and easy meals that are perfect to make at university. 

We've put together a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect rice and pasta so you can unlock your cookery potential.

How to cook the perfect rice

It's not ideal when you cook rice and it's either too hard or too mushy. Have a look at this foolproof guide to cooking rice...

1. Measure your rice out - one portion should be 75g per person.
2. Wash your rice! Cover your rice in cold water until the water turns clear and then pour into a sieve over the sink to drain. 
3. Pour the rice into your saucepan and add 150ml of water (you want 2x the amount of water to rice). You can add boiling water to help get the rice cooking quicker.
4. Bring your rice to a boil
5. Turn the heat down really low, put the lid on the pan and let it cook for 10 mins. 
6. Don't take the lid off until the 10 mins are up, try your rice and if it's ready take off the heat and serve. If it needs longer just put the lid back on for a couple of minutes until ready.
7. Fluff up the rice and dish it out. Bon appétit!

How to cook the perfect pasta

1. Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. 
2. Add a pinch of salt. 
3. Once the water is boiling, add the required amount of pasta to the pan - this is again 75g per person.
4. Cook the pasta for the amount of time stated on the packet. You can test whether it's cooked about a minute or so before the time's up by trying a piece - if it's too hard, cook for longer. It should be soft with a bit of a bite to it. 
5. Scoop out a mugful of the pasta water. This helps to emulsify the sauce.
6. Drain your pasta using a sieve over the sink and then add back to the pan to mix in with your sauce. Keep tipping bits of your water in until the consistency is perfect. 
7. Plate up and season well with salt and pepper. Add cheese if you want!