If you’re tired of living off dining hall food this semester and are looking to expand your food repertoire, here are some super simple dorm recipes that are cheap and minimal with ingredients. Don’t worry, they’re still absolutely delicious!
- Oatmeal
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Come on, you can’t go wrong with a good bowl of oatmeal. These days, there are so many ways to spice up your basic bowl of oats and many simple ways to do it. Here is a basic list of ingredients to mix and match your revolutionary oats:
Rolled oats, blueberries, milk (or milk alternative of your choice) peanut butter, honey, bananas, strawberries, chia seeds, granola, greek yogurt, apples, cinnamon, jam/jelly (flavor of your choice), maple syrup, chocolate chips, nuts, shredded veggies (carrots or zuchinni tend to taste best), raisins, vanilla, peaches, coconut flakes and brown sugar
Mix up some oats and milk, stick it in your microwave for 1:30, take it out and add ingredients of your choice, microwave for another 1:30, add some toppings and enjoy! For baked oats, you may have to leave them in the microwave for a bit longer, but the length you microwave your oats is up to you. For overnight oats, mix up your ingredients in a jar or bowl the night before, and stick them in your fridge for an easy and quick breakfast to-go the next morning. Using these ingredients, you can make a million different styles of oats, including:
Carrot cake, banana bread, apple cinnamon, peanut butter and jelly, peaches & cream, strawberries & cream, cinnamon roll, blueberry, chocolate covered strawberry, vanilla, banana PB, choco-nut and cookie dough.
There are so many more options as well, but you can’t go wrong experimenting with a delicious breakfast of oatmeal.
- Healthy Apple Cobbler in a Mug
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This recipe is so easy and delicious. Make it for a yummy breakfast or a quick and healthy dessert. The ingredients you will need are:
1 Apple, chopped into cubes
Oats
Granola
Honey
Chia Seeds
Milk (or milk alternative)
Cinnamon
Lemon Juice (optional)
Step 1: In a large mug, mix apple, honey, cinnamon, chia seeds, and lemon juice.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together oats and granola with a 3:1 ratio, and then add in a splash of milk, cinnamon and honey. Mix until you have a crumble consistency.
Step 3: Pour oat mixture over apple cubes in mug, and add extra cinnamon on top.
Step 4: Microwave for three minutes.
Step 5: Let cool and enjoy!
This recipe is so yummy and absolutely easy to do, and it doesn’t have any added sugars to the mixture.
- Mac & Cheese in a Mug
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If you’re in college, you have probably already heard of this one, but have you ever actually tried it? If you haven’t, you’re missing out. A gooey and delicious pasta for one, you are sure to fall in love with this recipe. The ingredients you will need are:
Pasta
Water
Milk
Cheese
Step 1: Place the pasta in your mug, about 1/3-1/2 of the way. Fill the mug with water, just until it covers the pasta.
Step 2: Microwave for three minutes. If your water starts to boil over, take your mug out, stir, and place it back in the microwave. You may have to do this several times to prevent spillage!
Step 3: Take out your mug, add in a splash of milk and stir. Add in as much cheese as you want.
Step 4: Microwave for another 30 seconds, and then stir.
Step 5: Let cool and enjoy!
You may have to add more cheese or milk depending on your desired consistency. Step up your meal game with this recipe by using different types of cheese, adding seasoning or mixing in some veggies and meats to create a revolutionary meal that is quick and easy.
- Revolutionary Ramen
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We all know that most college kids’ bodies are made up of at least 20% ramen noodles, but sometimes you want something more than your basic carbs to fulfill your cravings. Mix up your ramen by adding some more ingredients for a delicious meal that will make your roommate jealous. You will need:
Ramen
1 Egg
Veggies of your choice
Soy Sauce
Step 1: Prepare ramen as instructed on package.
Step 2: Mix in veggies and soy sauce to taste, and then add the egg.
Step 3: Microwave for one minute.
Step 4: Stir and enjoy!
A delicious step-up for ramen and for your body, who is thanking you for finally adding some veggies to your diet.
- Breakfast in a Mug
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Need some quick protein? This is the recipe for you. Here is what you will need:
1 Egg
Chopped veggies (can be frozen)
Cheese
Bacon (optional)
Step 1: Mix ingredients in a mug.
Step 2: Microwave for one to two minutes.
Step 3: Let cool and enjoy! Add salt and pepper as needed.
Quick, easy and delicious!
- Tortilla Roll-Ups
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If you have tortillas lying around, make use of them by adding a variety of ingredients to make all different kinds of delicious tortilla roll-ups. Here are some roll-up options you could make using your microwave or just plain:
PB&J, pizza, ham and cheese, cream cheese and fruit, banana and peanut butter, cookie butter, cheese, meat and veggie, cinnamon and honey, avocado and ham, tuna salad and caprese.
Those are just a few options of many out there. Really, you could just throw anything on a tortilla, roll it up and it will probably be delicious.
So, there you have it, a few simple and easy dorm recipes with some quick ingredients to spice up your meals this semester. Many of these recipes are very versatile, and ingedients can be easily changed and altered to make your own version of deliciousness. If you are looking for even more options, Pinterest is a great place to go scrolling for more food ideas. Enjoy!