College life can get busy. I heard a phrase once that when you’re in college, you have to pick 2: social life, good grades, or sleep. And it’s so true! College life can get pretty busy. And for many, it’s the first time in life when you’re completely in charge of organizing your day and ensuring you get done what all that needs to be done.
Making the time to practice good nutrition is important, but with the pressures of college academics, preparing elaborate meals can be a challenge. Using the microwave is an easy and convenient way to make delicious and healthy meals in your dorm room. So today, I’m sharing a round-up of easy microwave meals that you can try, especially if you’re in college and super busy, but want to remain healthy.
10 Easy Microwave Meals For College Students
Going to college soon and will be living in a dorm on campus? In need of some simple meals you could make without the need of cookware because all you will have is a microwave? Try these easy microwave meals you can heat and eat right from your dorm room! Plus enjoy a few healthy snack choices we recommend for college.
Oatmeal packets
My go-to microwave breakfast idea is oatmeal. Just add milk and you’ve got a hot and hardy breakfast that can easily be ready within a couple of minutes. My favorite oatmeal is the raisin, walnut, and dates although there are many other flavors to choose from with quality ingredients.
Eggs
Did you know eggs can be cooked in the microwave? Just crack one open, scramble in a bowl and pop it in for a few minutes. Add cheese and woolah, you’ve got another quick and easy breakfast idea to try. Eggs are a super ingredient you’ll want to add to many recipes as it’s packed with every nutrient the human body needs.
Burritos
You can make burritos and cheese quesadillas in the microwave! The tortillas might not be crispy, but it’s a cheap and easy thing to heat and eat in the microwave. You can throw some beans on there for more protein too like refried pinto beans or even add kidney bean.
Canned soups
Canned soup is a great and easy microwave meal you can enjoy in college. Just be mindful of the sodium content. Tomato soup and soups with meat and vegetables are solid options to help keep you fuller longer and satisfied.
Ramen noodles
Not all ramen is created equal! If you’re looking for healthier alternatives, I’m a big fan of Mikes Mighty Good and Nissin Cup Noodles. You can get a small bowl and scramble some eggs in there, add seaweed and some diced protein to your ramen bowl to make it even more filling and nutritious.
Loaded baked potatoes
Potatoes dude. They are so freaking versatile with so many different things to do with them whether you’re opting for the classic potatoes or sweet potatoes. You can add precooked bacon, sour cream, chives, and shredded cheese as toppings. Or go bigger and better by adding even more protein varieties and veggies. Just make it your own. You’ll learn to love potatoes and feel like you’ve just got keep them in your pantry week after week.
Cheesy Rice Casserole
If all you have is a microwave, look for a box of minute rice. This easy microwave idea was found on the back of the box and serves four people as a side dish or two as a main meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 1/2 cups Minute Rice
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 10oz can Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups broccoli florettes (fresh or frozen)
- 1 small onion, chopped
Instructions
Step 1
Set aside 1/2 cup of cheese.
Step 2
Combine remaining ingredients in a 2 litre microwave safe dish.
Step 3
Cover, and microwave on high for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes.
Step 4
Sprinkle reserved cheese on top.
Step 5
Let stand covered for 5 minutes.
Frozen veggies / stir fry
Frozen produce is another great meal idea to prepare in the microwave. You can purchase a bag of frozen stir fry vegetables and cook them in the microwave along with shreds of a rotisserie chicken and topped with your choice of sauce like soy sauce or duck sauce.
TV dinners
The quality of tv dinners have changed so much since the 90s! There are a ton of great quality tv dinner meal options that are now available on the shelf, and many are low carb, low sodium, and high protein. Definitely don’t skip the frozen meal aisle when you’re looking for easy microwave meals.
Mug cake
I couldn’t share microwaveable recipes without also sharing this fun, quick and easy mug cake recipe!
Of course there’s so many other options that are easy to make in a dorm room, and your options open up even more when you add other appliances such as a slow cooker, rice cooker, or air fryer!
If you like this list, you’ll love these easy lunch ideas for college students!
Plus, start shopping and saving with this grocery list for college students to eat healthy on a budget.
