Nothing is better than the convenience of a dining hall on campus. You can grab a quick meal in between classes and choose from an assortment of food offered every day. But what do you do when you just don’t feel like walking across campus on a rainy day? Or when you are studying so hard you only have time for a quick snack? Believe it or not, there are easy recipes you can make right in your dorm room—with the help of a refrigerator and a microwave of course! Here are a few that will make you say, “Who needs Ramen noodles?”
1. Breakfast in a mug
A fast, healthy, tasty breakfast choice—and you can take it on the go? What more could you need? Well, you need these things first actually:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water (or milk)
- salt
- pepper
- cheddar cheese
Directions: Microwave butter in a ceramic mug for 30 seconds. Add eggs, water, and a dash of salt and pepper to the mug. Use a fork to whisk the ingredients together. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Remove and give a quick stir to ensure even cooking. Return to the microwave and cook on high for an additional 45 seconds. Top with cheddar cheese to taste. Try dressing up these eggs any way you like or do different things every day! Add fresh vegetables, pre-cooked bacon, sliced ham, or hot sauce.
Related: The Best College Meals for Your Taste Buds and Budget
2. Meat and cheese wraps
The best part about making this easy recipe is you can mix things up with any of your favorite deli meats. It's great for lunch if you fill it up with extra veggies and meats or just a light snack with a little bit of the goods! All you need is:
- Flour tortillas (white or wheat)
- Slices of your favorite deli meat
- Sliced deli cheese
- Tomatoes or other veggie of choice
Directions: Place your meats, cheeses, and preferred vegetables evenly across your tortilla to your liking. Roll up the tortilla and microwave at 70% for 90 seconds. Remove and enjoy! You could also combine this with the breakfast-in-a-mug recipe for a delicious breakfast burrito! Or try combinations for other wraps like peanut butter, jelly, and banana; turkey and Swiss cheese; or canned chicken, barbecue sauce, and pineapple.
3. Cheesy quesadillas
Who doesn't love a good quesadilla? They're perfect for a snack in between classes or a quick meal during a study break. And the beauty of a quesadilla is you can be as simple as cheese and as complex as every topping ever if you want to. But without going overboard, consider getting:
- Flour tortilla wraps (white or wheat)
- Shredded cheese (Mexican blend is best)
- Tomatoes and peppers
- Pre-cooked chicken
- Salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for topping
Directions: Lay one tortilla on a microwave-safe plate and sprinkle evenly with cheese, Add layers of any other ingredients of choice on top of the cheese. Top those with one more layer of cheese when you lay the second tortilla on top, it sticks. Place it into the microwave for about 45–50 seconds. Once the cheese is completely melted, remove the quesadilla, cut it into fourths, dip it into your favorite side, and enjoy!
Related: How to Eat Healthy in College (on the Cheap!)
4. No-Stove Pasta
Think you can’t enjoy a pasta dinner in your dorm because you don't have a stove? Think again. All you need is a microwave, and this easy list:
- Uncooked pasta
- Water
- Pasta sauce
Directions: Pour about one cup of pasta into a small microwave-safe bowl. Next, fill the bowl with water until the pasta is completely covered by a few inches. Find the suggested cooking time on the pasta box and add an extra three or four minutes to get your microwave cooking time. Once the pasta is done, sample a piece to make sure it's cooked to your liking. Remove most of the water from the bowl by placing a large spoon on the edge and tipping the bowl slightly to drain the water into another bowl or the sink. Then heat up your pasta sauce for about 35 seconds in a separate bowl.
5. Microwave Chocolate Cake
Craving something sweet? This dessert is simple and quick to make and will do just the trick. You'll only need five ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons chocolate cake mix
- 2 tablespoons yogurt (plain or vanilla works best)
- 1 tablespoon diet soda (cola or root beer)
Directions: Combine cake mix, yogurt, and soda in a coffee mug and stir with a fork until smooth and thick. Microwave on high for 60–90 seconds or until the top of the cake begins to crack and pull away from the edges. Remove and allow it to cool for a few minutes. You can eat directly out of the mug or use a knife to separate the cake and transfer it to a dish. Top with powdered sugar or a scoop of ice cream with chocolate syrup if desired.
Related: What Holiday Treat Should You Stress-Bake and Eat?
Get creative with what you can do right from your dorm. Sometimes you're not going to make it to the dining hall for a study session or your friends are going to get caught up chatting before realizing they've closed. Having a good stash of delicious food options in your dorm is not only smart but also completely possible. Food fuels your mind and your body, so take care of them!
Need the CX version of a master class on how to make Microwave dorm recipes? We've got you covered with Tyler's Ultimate College Cooking Collection!
