Prime Time's cookery expert Sam Gough takes a look at three recipes you may well want your kids to have when they go off to university.

As your little darlings leave the nest, it's one less worry to know that they will be eating well and not surviving on a diet of lager and Pringles.

With this aim in mind, I have put together three recipes that are simple and easy for even the most inexperienced of cooks.

They can also be used as a basis for many other dishes - and to be honest, you'll probably end up trying them yourself.

I have also included the same ingredients more than once. Learning to cook is about learning to shop too.

For a cracking lentil and bacon soup cut up the bacon using a pair of scissors and dry fry on a low heat for 3-4 minutes.

Pour in the water, stock cube and red lentils (the lentils do not need pre-soaking). Add the tomato puree. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring from time to time.

If it gets too thick, keep a mug of water handy and add as necessary. Sprinkle with cheddar and serve with crusty bread.

For a very simple pizza all you need is four pitta breads.

Preheat the oven to 200c / gas mark 6.

Spread tomato puree generously over one side of the pitta bread and add your chosen toppings.

Sprinkle over the cheese, sprinkle with oregano, and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the toppings are beginning to colour.

And no student diet is complete without pasta so here's an easy pasta sauce.

Heat the oil in the pan and add the onion.

Bash the garlic clove with a tin or jar, peel off the skin, and add that to the oil and the onions.

Cook on a low heat until the onions have softened and coloured slightly and pour in the passata.

Add the oregano and stir. At this point you can add any of the following variations, or keep the sauce plain and simple: tuna, sweetcorn, olives, anchovies, ham, spinach, broccoli, roasted peppers - the list is endless.

Keep the sauce hot until ready to serve over cooked pasta. Serve with cheese or fresh basil leaves or on its own.

Adding this sauce to cooked mince turns it into spaghetti bolognese.

You will need...

Lentil and bacon soup (serves 2-3) 250g red split lentils 3 rashers smoked bacon 1 litre cold water 1 vegetable stock cube 1 tablespoon tomato puree

Pitta Pizzas (serves 2) Four pitta breads Tomato puree Pinch of dried oregano Grated cheese Assorted toppings: ie sliced peppers, onions, sweetcorn, mushrooms, ham etc.

Basic pasta sauce (serves 2 hungry people) 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar passata (sieved tomatoes - thicker and less fiddly than tinned tomatoes) Large pinch oregano Small red onion 1 clove garlic