Quick and Easy Microwave Recipes for Dorm Living

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Dorm rooms are typically small and may not have an in-built kitchen, meaning you may have to rely on fast food and the cafeteria to survive. As if your struggle to live healthy isn’t hard enough, you also need to juggle classes and assignments, leaving little time for a proper meal. The good news is that you can use microwave recipes to prepare delicious meals in a short amount of time using just a few basic ingredients and your microwave oven. This way you’ll be able to devote more time to studying and writing papers. 

In this article, we will explore 11 easy microwave recipes you can easily make as a college student with minimal effort.

Cooking Equipment for Microwave Recipes

The microwave oven is the most essential tool to make your quick-hack meals. However, you might also need the following kitchen items:

• Microwave-friendly mug or bowl
• Spoon
• Knife
• Paper towels
• Bowl

You won’t even have to spend money to get these utensils since they are often the first cookware most students purchase. Now, let’s look at the recipes you can easily make with a microwave. 

Microwave Oatmeal

For a complete meal at breakfast time, try this quick and easy microwave oatmeal recipe.

Ingredients For Microwave Oatmeal

• 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats 
• 1 Cup Low-Fat Milk Or Water
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Honey Or Maple Syrup (optional)
• Fresh Fruit i.e., Apples or Blueberries (optional)

How to Make Oatmeal in the Microwave

Combine oats and milk or water in a microwave-safe bowl and add salt to taste.

Cook on HIGH for two to three minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the oat becomes soft.

Next, top your microwave oatmeal with honey or maple syrup and fresh fruit if you like. 

You can also make this delicious oatmeal for the whole family. It can become a family staple when looking for a fast breakfast in the morning.

Microwave Egg Muffins

Looking to make egg muffins cooked in the microwave? You only need a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients For Microwave Egg Muffins

• 1 or 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper To Taste
• Veggies (e.g., Bell Peppers, Spinach, Tomatoes)
• Grated cheese (optional)

How to Make Microwave Egg Muffins

Beat the eggs and add salt and pepper. Slice your veggies and sprinkle them over the egg mixtures. Then, add cheese if you like.

Cook on HIGH for 1–2 minutes, pausing to stir every 30 seconds until fully cooked. 

Serve with tomato sauce if desired and enjoy your healthy egg muffin!

Microwave Mug Omelette

Looking for a high protein meal to keep you going on busy nights? Try making a microwave omelet.

Ingredients For Microwave Omelette

• 2 or 3 Eggs
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• Salt and Pepper To Taste
• Toppings Of Your Choice (e.g., Diced Veggies, Cheese, Cooked bacon)

How to Make a Microwave Omelette

To make this easy recipe break the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a microwave-safe mug and mix.

Next, add your choice of toppings, whether cheese, cooked bacon, or veggies.

Microwave this mixture for 1–2 minutes and check in-between to ensure the egg cooks properly.

Vegetarian Enchiladas

If you love enchiladas then this is the perfect recipe for you. Even better you can reheat leftovers such as black beans or kidney beans for the perfect vegetarian dinner.

Ingredients For Vegetarian Enchiladas

• Flour Tortillas
• Black Beans
• Corn
• Salsa
• Shredded Cheese
• Sour Cream and Guacamole (optional)

How to Make Vegetarian Enchiladas

Fill each tortilla with black beans, corn, salsa, and shredded cheese.

Roll up the tortillas and place them in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for two to three minutes, or until the cheese melts, whichever comes first.

If you want, you can put sour cream and guacamole on top.

Baked Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins and minerals that will help you stay healthy during college. Best of all, they’re easy to make in the microwave!

Ingredients For Baked Sweet Potato

Ingredients for Making Baked Potato (Kumara)

• 1 Sweet Potato (medium-sized)
• Olive Oil
• Salt 
• Pepper

How to Make Microwave Sweet Potatoes

Wash the potato and pierce it with a fork a few times. Rub it with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Use a paper towel to wrap the potato and place it on a microwave-safe plate.

Microwave your sweet potatoes on HIGH for 5–7 minutes. Don’t forget to turn and rotate the potato to ensure every part cooks properly.

Add the toppings that you enjoy the most.

For a more complete meal prepare chicken slices or vegetables to enjoy with your sweet potato!

White Rice

White rice is a go-to staple for many college students. For an easy and quick meal, you can cook it in the microwave.

Ingredients For White Rice

• White Rice
• Water

How to Make Microwave Rice

Pour white rice and water in a 1:2 ratio (e.g., 1 cup rice to 2 cups water) in your microwave-safe bowl.

Cook for 10–15 minutes or until the rice is tender, fluffing with a fork halfway through. 

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is an all-time classic comfort food. You can make it in the microwave with minimal effort!

Ingredients For Macaroni & Cheese

• 1/2 Cup Elbow Macaroni
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Salt & Pepper To Taste

How to Make Microwave Mac and Cheese

Place the macaroni and water in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 2–3 minutes.

Make sure to stir every minute until the macaroni is tender. Drain any excess water, then add the milk, cheese, salt, and pepper.

Cook again for 1–2 minutes, turning it until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.

I like to add a spoon of Dijon mustard to my mac and cheese and if you have some bacon in the fridge you could add some microwave bacon into the recipe.

Banana Bread

In just minutes you can have a tasty banana bread loaf to enjoy while you study for your exams.

Ingredients For Banana Bread

• ½ Cup Ripe Bananas 
• 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• ½ Cup Brown Sugar
• ¼ Teaspoon Baking Powder
• ½ Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Egg
• ¼ Cup Vegetable Oil Or Melted Butter
• ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

How to Make Banana Bread

Mash ripe bananas in a bowl. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, vegetable oil (or melted butter), egg, and vanilla extract, making sure to mix them well.

Pour this mixture into your microwave-safe bowl, but be sure to place a wax paper in the bowl before turning your mixture.

Cook on MEDIUM for 5–7 minutes. 

French Toast

A friend gave me this recipe for french toast and it’s super simple and tasty.

Ingredients For Microwave French Toast

• 6 to 8 Slices Of Bread (or more)
• 3 Eggs
• ½ Cup Milk
• ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
• ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

How to Make Microwave French Toast

In a bowl, whisk egg, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Dip the bread slices into the mixture and cook on MEDIUM for 1–2 minutes per slice until it is ready.

Nachos

You can enjoy nachos anytime for lunch, dinner or supper!

Ingredients for Nachos

• Tortilla Chips
• Shredded Cheese
• Salsa
• Meat (shredded chicken breasts)
• Sour Cream (optional)

How to Make Microwave Nachos

Pour the tortilla chips on a microwave-safe plate.

Sprinkle the shredded meat, cheese, and salsa over the chips and cook until the cheese melts.

Let the nachos cool for a few minutes. Then, top with sour cream if desired and serve.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Cook chicken tortilla soup in the microwave. It’s packed with nutrition and great for cold weather days.

Ingredients For Tortilla Soup

• Cooked Chicken Breasts (shredded)
• Chicken Broth
• Diced Tomatoes
• Frozen Corn
• Chili Powder
• Taco Seasoning
• ¼ Cup Olive oil
• Onion

How to Make Microwave Tortilla Soup

Pour olive oil into your microwave-safe bowl, add your sliced onions, and heat this mixture for 2 minutes.

Add the cooked chicken, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and taco seasoning to the heated oil and onion mixture.

Season with salt and microwave the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy Cooking as a Student

When you live in a dorm, you really do not have to survive on instant noodles. Preparing microwavable meals in college is all about getting creative and making the most of what you have. So whip up tasty dishes in no time. Also, don’t forget to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to find something that suits your taste buds and dietary preferences. You can also make microwave desserts such as mug cakes and microwave cookies for a sweet treat. Enjoy.

Resources

Emerson, B. J. (2022, July 15). Try these easy microwave meals for college students. University of South Florida. https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/try-these-easy-microwave-meals-for-college-students

Ro, H. (2016, August 30). 9 easy mug meals any college kid can make in a microwave. Insider. https://www.insider.com/easy-microwave-meals-for-college-students-2016-8

Sanchez, V. (2016, September 30). Microwaveable dorm room meals for under $5. Yahoo Finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/microwaveable-dorm-room-meals-for-under-5-200826669.html