I love creating uncomplicated dorm recipes that satisfy my cravings, allow me to live my life in a frenzy, and help me save time. Here are my very favorites: Ramen Stir Fry, Mug Pizza, Overnight Oats, Instant Pot Chili, Avocado Toast, Quinoa Salad, and Smoothie Bowl.
Gifts to the busy student.
The 10 Best dorm recipes
1. Microwave Mac and Cheese
Elbow macaroni, water, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper combine to make a creamy and convenient cheesy pasta dish known as Microwave Mac and Cheese. You can enjoy this dish in the comfort of your own home, and it takes practically no time at all to prepare.
Ingredients
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
1. In a large bowl that is safe for microwave use, stir together the elbow macaroni and the water. Place the bowl in the microwave and set it to cook on high for 4-5 minutes, stirring the contents at the halfway mark. The result should be perfectly cooked macaroni.
2. Remove the bowl from the microwave with care (it will be hot) and do not drain the remaining water.
3. Combine the milk, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix them together so that they are well combined.
4. High for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, microwave the mixture. Serve after stirring well.
2. Ramen Stir Fry
Ramen Stir Fry is a quick, delicious dish starring ramen noodles, mixed vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli, all stir-fried with garlic in olive oil and soy sauce, and, if you like, finished with a little protein and some green onions.
Ingredients
Ramen noodles (1 package, any flavor)
Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
Garlic (1 clove, minced)
Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
Mixed vegetables (1 cup, such as carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli)
Green onions (2, sliced)
Optional protein: Cooked chicken, beef, or tofu (1/2 cup)
Instructions
1. Prepare the ramen noodles according to the package directions, but omit using the flavor packet. Drain and set aside.
2. In a wide pan, warm olive oil over a medium-high flame. Add chopped garlic and cook until you can smell it—about half a minute.
3. Combine the pan with the mixed vegetables and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until they begin softening. If you are using protein, then add it now and give everything a good stir to make sure it’s distributed well.
4. In the pan, add the ramen noodles that have been cooked with soy sauce. Toss everything together so that it’s well-mixed, well-coated, and heated through—like they say, a pan full of noodles is a happy pan. Serve it up with the pre-sliced green onions you are certainly not pre-slicing in the heat of the moment.
3. Mug Pizza
Unearth the rapid and delectable mug pizza, prepared with such commonplace components as all-purpose flour, baking powder, milk, and olive oil, and crowned with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and, for those who choose, a sprinkling of mini pepperoni and Italian herbs.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/16 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon pizza sauce
1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese
5 mini pepperoni slices (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
1. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mug that can go in the microwave.
2. Combine the milk and olive oil with the dry components and stir until a thick, creamy batter forms.
3. Distribute the pizza sauce across the batter and shower it with mozzarella cheese, mini pepperoni (if you’re using it), and Italian herbs.
4. Nuke on high for 1 minute and 20 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until the cheese has melted and the dough is done.
4. Overnight Oats
An easy and healthful breakfast can be achieved by blending rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and berries—the five key ingredients for overnight oats. Left in the refrigerator overnight, this mixture transforms into a deliciously creamy and ready-to-eat meal.
Ingredients
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup fresh or frozen berries
Instructions
1. In a jar or bowl, combine the milk, rolled oats, and Greek yogurt.
2. Add the chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract, and stir until everything is nicely incorporated.
3. Place the berries on top of the mixture, or if you prefer a more uniform distribution, mix them in.
4. Place the lid on the container or cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least for 6 hours. Serve it well-stirred, and relish!
5. Instant Pot Chili
Chili prepared in the Instant Pot marries ground beef, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes with chili powder and cumin and lets them cook quickly in the popular kitchen device. What you get is a savory meal that is as close to a “cooked-all-day” sort of chili as you can get with the convenience of a pressure cooker.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
1. Switch on the Instant Pot and choose the ‘Sauté’ function. Place the ground beef in the pot and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon.
2. In a pot, combine the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté them until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Combine the chili powder and cumin with the kidney beans and diced tomatoes.
4. Make sure the lid on the Instant Pot is secure, and choose the ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ function; set the timer for 10 minutes. When the cooking is complete, release the pressure and serve.
6. Avocado Toast
Toast topped with avocado features mashed avocado mixed with lemon juice, salt, and pepper, spread on whole-grain bread. You can add flavor and texture with optional toppings like cherry tomatoes, sliced radishes, or red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
1 ripe avocado
2 slices of whole-grain bread
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Optional toppings: cherry tomatoes, radish slices, or red pepper flakes#
Instructions
1. The whole-grain bread should be sliced and toasted until golden and crispy.
2. Toast the bread while you halve the avocado, take out the pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add the lemon juice and mash until smooth—if you like it a little chunky, stop mashing sooner. Then, season it with salt and freshly ground pepper.
3. Distribute the mashed avocado uniformly over the toasted bread.
4. Add your selected optional toppings to the dish, such as halved cherry tomatoes, sliced radishes, or pinches of crushed red pepper flakes. Serve promptly and savor!
7. Quinoa Salad
A nutritious dish centered on quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese makes up the salad being prepared. This is a light dish that is perfect for a summer picnic, even if one is not gluten intolerant.
All the colors of this salad combination seem to signal that summer is near at hand.
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
1. Wash the quinoa with cold water. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a vigorous boil, then quickly reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the water is absorbed. Uncover the pan and let the quinoa cool.
2. In a big bowl, mix together the cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.
3. Combine by drizzling with olive oil and tossing. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
8. Yogurt Parfait
A yogurt parfait is a delightful layered treat comprising Greek yogurt, crunchy granola, and mixed berries, all drizzled with honey and topped with chopped nuts. Perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack, yogurt parfaits are a go-to for anyone seeking a balanced meal or a moment of guilt-free bliss.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup granola
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. In a bowl or glass, place half of the Greek yogurt.
2. Put half the granola on top of the yogurt.
3. Add a layer of assorted berries.
4. Half of the honey is drizzled over the berries.
5. Make more layers using the rest of the yogurt, granola, and berries.
6. Drizzle the leftover honey on top and sprinkle with diced nuts.
7. If you wish, for extra flavor, stir the vanilla extract into the yogurt before layering.
9. Banana Pancakes
Pancakes with banana in them use a ripe banana, all-purpose flour, and ingredient essentials like baking powder and baking soda. Mixed with milk, an egg, and melted butter, these pancakes are a warm and wonderful breakfast.
Ingredients
1 ripe banana
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons melted butter#
Instructions
1. In a bowl, smooth the banana until you get a nice mash. Pour in the milk, and crack in the egg. Then, add the melted butter. Mix all together very well.
2. In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and mix well.
3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring them together until just mixed; don’t overmix.
4. Preheat a medium non-stick skillet, then pour in 1/4 cup of pancake batter for each pancake. Cook on one side until bubbles burst and the edges are set, then flip. Cook until pancakes are lightly browned on the other side. Serve warm with syrup.
10. Smoothie Bowl
Nutritious and tasty, meal smoothies combine the following ingredients into a creamy, dreamy base: a frozen banana, almond milk, nut butter, and berries. Fresh fruit, granola, and an ample sprinkling of coconut flakes finish the bowls and take them to another level in terms of taste and texture.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, or mixed berries)
- 1/2 cup almond milk or preferred milk
- 1 tablespoon nut butter (e.g., almond or peanut butter)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Toppings: sliced fresh fruit, granola, and coconut flakes
Instructions
1. A frozen banana, frozen berries, almond milk, nut butter, and honey or maple syrup, are blended together in a blender.
2. Mix until smooth and creamy. You might require to halt and scrape down the sides or add a bit more milk to reach your desired consistency.
3. Transfer the smoothie to a bowl and top with sliced fresh fruit, granola, and coconut. Enjoy without delay!
