We all know the struggle of arriving at a new hostel, wanting to just sleep but knowing you need to cook. And you probably shouldn’t go out and get another gyros* or burek* for the sixth time in a row – for both your health and your budget. Or maybe you’re actually ready and prepared to cook but need ideas. Below are some of my FAVOURITE meals I’ve cooked/made in hostels over the years.

*Replace with whatever local street food you’re eating. If you can’t tell, I’ve been in the Balkans a lot this summer.

Also please note the photo at the top of this page is NOT a meal I cooked at a hostel however it is one of my favourite foodie travel photos taken in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1. Caitlin’s Hostel Pasta

If you can’t tell by the name, this is my absolute staple. Quick, filling, cheap and ingredients that are pretty easy to find anywhere. This will make two very saucy pastas – fab for two travellers or a solo traveller for 2 nights.

What you need:

  • Pasta (I like fusili)
  • Jar of green pesto
  • Garlic (You can do what I do and carry the same garlic round in your bag for a month.)
  • 1 Mozarella ball
  • 1 white onion
  • 2 big tomatoes
  • Local olives (OPTIONAL)

Very simply – cook your pasta for 8 minutes or so while you fry your garlic clove and onion. Add them all into one pan, stir in the pesto and your chopped up tomato and olives. Mozarella sliced on the top. Done.

2. Tomato and Tortellini

I swear I didn’t eat pasta everyday for ten weeks but it really does seem to be what I’ve cooked pretty much most times. Anyway, this is the FASTEST meal I’ve found – however finding tortellini does depend on where you are.

2 ingredients:

  • Filled tortellini (something like spinach and feta is a shout)
  • Can of tomatoes
  • Unofficial third – add chorizo or something if you’re craving meat but don’t really want the hassle of cooking meat in the hostel kitchen

This can make 2-3 portions so again if you’re solo travelling just split it between a couple of days or find a friend. Should be self explanatory in that you just heat everything up and then eat it?

3. Shopska Salad and Fresh Bread

I’m realising my hostel meals are very heavily influenced by where I was (generally, local produce is cheaper). However, Shopska salad is amazing and incredibly cheap. It’s not best if you need a filling meal, but for an easy meal at night it’s great.

Ingredients for Shopska:

  • Cucumber
  • Tomato
  • Feta Cheese

That’s literally it. Chop the cucumber and tomatoes into cubes, grate the feta (if your hostel has a grater, if not, just cube it) and then enjoy with your fresh bread from a local bakery. If you have olive oil, drizzle some on top of both the salad and the bread.
(You can add more cheeses and meats from a local deli to this platter for a bit more sustenance!)

4. Local-style-pasta

If you don’t like pasta, I fear this post may not be much help to you. HOWEVER, this is inspired by one of my favourite backpacking cooked meals in Italy, where me and my friend bought a ton of cheap seafood from a local market, then just cooked it with spaghetti (and wine). What I mean here, is find out what the local meat or fish is. Buy it from a local shop. Add pasta. Sorted.

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