College students make a majority of their meals in the microwave. This is a fact. Whether they purchase TV dinners because they're on sale or simply order way too much pizza so they can reheat it for the remainder of their meals throughout the week, the microwave is the trusted cooking appliance for no other reason than its ease and convenience. If you're attending school this year and don't consider yourself much of a cook, take a look at the recipes below which can be prepared completely in the microwave.
Turkey Bacon and Veggie Breakfast Frittata
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals, turkey bacon and veggie breakfast frittata]()
How fancy does this sound? Plus, it's really damn good for you - just in case you don't want to gain that that freshman 15.
Ingredients:
1 egg
3 egg whites
2 slices turkey bacon
1 cup of chopped veggies (broccoli, bell pepper, red onions)
1 tbsp mozzarella
How to make:
1. Add ingredients into bowl and mix
2. Pour mixed ingredients into ramekin or baking dish
3. Cook for 2 ½ to 3 minutes
Scrambled Eggs
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
For an easy take on a traditional breakfast, throw some bread in the toaster, crack some eggs into a coffee mug, and mix up this recipe.
Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp shredded cheddar
Salt and pepper
Salsa (optional)
How to make:
1. Coat mug in cooking spray; add eggs and milk; beat until blended
2. Microwave for 45 seconds on high; stir; microwave again for 30 to 45 seconds
3. Top with cheese; add salt and pepper (and/or salsa) to season
Feta and Spinach Chicken Meatloaf with Marinara
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
This meaty meal packs a measly 363 calories and 41 grams of protein.
Ingredients:
5 oz lean ground chicken breast
1/2 cup instant oatmeal
1 egg white
1 cup chopped raw spinach, bell peppers, onions
2 tbsp feta
Marinara
Seasonings: salt, pepper, chipotle
How to make:
1. Add ingredients into bowl and mix
2. Pour mixed ingredients into ramekin or baking dish
3. Cook for 6 minutes
4. Top it off with salt, pepper, and marinara
Chicken and Savory Quinoa
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Cooking quinoa in college? Who are you, Jamie Oliver?
Ingredients:
1/2 rotisserie chicken (12 oz skinless)
1/2 cup quinoa (uncooked)
1.5 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup red onions
Green onions to taste
How to make:
1. Add quinoa, chicken broth and red onions to a bowl; microwave for 3 minutes; stir; microwave for another 3 minutes; stir; microwave for three minutes again
2. Remove skin from chicken; chop; add chicken to quinoa; mix
3. Top with green onions
Mason Jar Pancakes
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Mix up this recipe, toss it in the microwave, then eat your portable breakfast on the way to class.
Ingredients:
Bisquick mix
Syrup
How to make:
1. Mix up Bisquick; add pancake mix to fill ⅓ of the jar
2. Microwave for 90 seconds
3. To test if it's ready, dip a butter knife into the bottom of the jar and pull it out. If done, knife will appear clean
Brownie
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Just like mom used to make.
Ingredients:
Nonstick spray
2 tbsp white whole-wheat flour
⅛ tsp baking powder
1½ tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2½ tbsp reduced-fat milk
⅛ tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp light olive oil (not extra-virgin)
How to make:
1. Coat coffee mug with nonstick spray
2. In bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar and cocoa with a fork; add milk, vanilla, and oil; mix
3. Transfer mix to mug
4. Microwave on high for 40 to 60 seconds
Macaroni and Cheese
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
It's not Easy Mac, but it'll be better for you and your budget.
Ingredients:
⅓ cup whole grain elbow macaroni
¼ cup water
⅓ cup shredded cheddar-jack cheese
Splash of milk
How to make:
1. In a bowl, add macaroni and water; microwave for 6 minutes, stirring at four minutes and two minutes
2. Add shredded cheddar cheese; microwave for 30-45 seconds
3. Add milk; stir well
Loaded Baked Potato
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Potatoes, paper towels, and a microwave is all you need to cook a killer potato.
Ingredients:
1 russet potato
Desired toppings for baked potato (butter, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, shredded cheddar cheese - even chilli - are always good options)
How to make:
1. Wash potatoes; poke with fork
2. Place in microwave on top of paper towel; cook on high for 10 minutes
3. Flip potato; cook for another 10 minutes. Should feel soft when done
4. Top off with desired ingredients, beginning with butter and sour cream
Creamy Ham Casserole
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Comfort food at its finest. This recipe serves eight, so you can eat it throughout the week.
Ingredients:
2 cups frozen broccoli florets
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 ½ cups chopped ham
1 ½ cups rotini pasta, cooked
½ cup Miracle Whip Light
½ green pepper, chopped
¼ cup milk
How to make:
1. Mix all ingredients except for ½ cup of cheese
2. Spoon into a 1 ½ quart casserole dish
3. Sprinkle remaining cheese
4. Microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes
5. Sprinkle with croutons (optional)
Chocolate Chip Cookie
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Everybody loves a warm chocolate chip cookie. Everybody.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp granulated white sugar
1 tbsp of packed dark brown sugar
3 drops of vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
1 egg yolk
Slightly less than a ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
2 heaping tablespoons of semi sweet chocolate chips
How to make:
1. Melt butter in microwave; add sugars, vanilla, salt; stir
2. Separate yolk from egg; add yolk to cup; stir
3. Add flour; stir; add all purpose flour and chocolate chips; stir
4. Cook in microwave for 40-60 seconds
Orange Glazed Salmon
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
I suggest you try this one on a date at your dorm. Impress the crap out of her. Just make sure it's plated before she arrives so she doesn't know you cooked it in the microwave. It tends to lack romanticism.
Ingredients:
1 lb salmon
1.5 tbsp orange marmalade
1.5 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp coconut sugar
Juice from 1/2 orange or 1 clementine
How to make:
1. Into a bowl, mix marmalade, dijon mustard, coconut sugar and juice from half an orange or 1 clementine; stir
2. Rub mix on salmon; microwave for 3 to 4 minutes until salmon is flaky.
Potato Soup
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
This hearty soup is even better topped with bacon, which can also be cooked in the microwave.
Ingredients:
2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed (raw)
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 cup water
1 ½ cups half-and-half
1 tbsp butter
½ tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Bacon bits or chives to garnish
How to make:
1. Microwave potatoes, onion, and water on high for 8 - 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender
2. Cover potatoes for 10 minutes, mash potatoes with fork to large pieces
3. Add remaining ingredients except cheese; microwave for 8 minutes
4. Garnish with cheese (and bacon, chives, etc.)
Quesadilla
![microwavable meals for college students, microwavable meals]()
Quesadillas are easy to make, and this microwave recipe is about the easiest. If you want to add more protein, pick up a cooked rotisserie chicken and toss it in.
Ingredients:
2 10-inch tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
How to make:
1. Place flour tortilla on plate, sprinkle with cheddar cheese; place second tortilla on top
2. Microwave on high until cheese melts, around 1 minute
3. Top with salsa, sour cream, green onion (optional)
