Dorm-Friendly Microwave Meals

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Campus Life | 0 comments

Maybe you’re out of credit for the cafeteria or you simply don’t feel like leaving your room. Whatever the case, being able to whip up something delicious (and even nutritious!) from the comfort of your dorm opens up new possibilities for keeping yourself well-fed in college.

Being limited to a microwave doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or variety. Check out these dorm-friendly microwave meals that will keep your late-night cravings to a minimum.

1.  Elevated Ramen

Yeah, yeah. It’s a cliche to arrive at college with a case full of Top Ramen, but it’s a cliche for a reason!

Ramen is an easy, cheap, microwave-friendly meal that will fill you up, but a few tweaks can take it from a rather humdrum staple to a truly enjoyable dish you can make all your own.

Consider these add-ins to make your ramen bowl truly delectable:

•  Frozen peas

•  Fresh spinach

•  Shredded cabbage (grab a bag of coleslaw mix for a pre-shredded option)

•  Shredded carrots

•  Canned chili and shredded cheese (skip the provided flavor packet)

•  Hot sauce

•  Sweet and sour sauce

•. Chili flakes

•  Lime juice

Mix and match to get a flavor combo that will make you forget your meal came from a styrofoam cup!

2.  Loaded Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes and microwaves are a pairing that’s simply meant to be! (DO NOT use foil for this method!) Simply poke some holes in the spud with a fork and cook it for 8-10 minutes. Now you’ve got a fluffy, tasty base for the rest of your meal, which you can customize to your liking. Give these toppings a try:

•  Fresh broccoli

•  Shredded cheese

•  Canned chili

•  Bacon bits (or make the bacon fresh in the microwave, too!)

•  Black beans

•  Sour cream

•  Chives

3.  Mug Omelet

Have an 8 am class and no time to spare? Wouldn’t it be great if your hot breakfast came with a handle? Look no further than the mug omelet!

This is another meal that’s great for its complete customization. The basics include two eggs and a mug (and probably some salt and pepper). Scramble the eggs up in the mug and then mix in your ingredients. Cook for about 3 minutes, stopping halfway to stir.

Need some inspiration for mix-ins? Check out these combos:

•  Fresh spinach, bell peppers, and shredded mozzarella

•  Chopped artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, and goat cheese

•  Salsa, black beans, and shredded cheddar

4.  Pancakes in a Jar

Want fresh pancakes but don’t know how to get them without a griddle and stove? You can get that flavor you love with your microwave in the dorm!

Just get your favorite pancake batter recipe (like this one) mix it up, spoon some into a glass jar, add in any fresh fruit or flavors you’d like (frozen blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries would be great), and then spoon on some more batter. Cook it for about 2 minutes or until it’s fluffy and cooked through. Top with some syrup and enjoy!

There you have it! Just because you’re limited in how you can cook doesn’t mean you have to accept limits on what you can eat. Get creative and stock your mini-fridge with easy mix-ins that will make basic microwave meals feel much more decadent and filling.

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Compass Academics

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