Dorm Friendly Recipes

Alright y’all, it’s time to change up your college meals and stop heading to the cafeteria for burgers (we’ve all been there). I’ve compiled some of my favorite go-to recipes that I have used during my time as a college student. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my go-to fast-food places but I try my best to eat healthy when I can. I was able to find simple meals that I knew I could make without feeling like I should’ve just ordered a pizza. Some of these items you’ll have to grab at Trader Joe’s (I’m a little obsessed with them) but there are also alternatives at other grocery stores if you’re not a fan so don’t worry. You can always put your own spin on any of these recipes or you can take away, don’t be afraid to make it your own.  

Breakfast

Trader Joe’s Oatmeal

My go-to breakfast when I’m in a rush or don’t feel like cooking anything is Trader Joe’s Instant Oatmeal! It’s a must-have in your pantry! It’s gluten-free, and it’s made with whole grain oats, flaxseed, quinoa, chia, and amaranth. 

Step-by-step: 

1. Add almond milk (substitute for milk of your preference, you can also add water) 

2. Microwave for about 80-90 seconds 

3. Add slices of apple and strawberries. 

4. Add a smidgen of brown sugar for added sweetness, but of course, it’s your preference. 

I love that it’s easy to make, dorm room friendly, healthy, and it fills me up really quickly.  

Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Instant Oatmeal  

Waffle Iron Omelets

I added this one in specifically for those of you in a dorm room. If you have a waffle iron, you can make this very easily! You just need a couple of eggs, some non-stick spray, and whatever additives you prefer in your omelets. I’m kind of simple and enjoy spinach and tomatoes but you can go crazy and add ham, bacon bits, cheese, olives, or whatever else you can think of.  

• 2 Eggs

• Additives (I’ll be using spinach and tomatoes)

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray

• Waffle Iron

Step-by-step: 

1. Heat iron on low heat setting, if it’s too hot you’ll burn your omelet

2. Spray non-stick spray

3. Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Make sure to whisk and get lots of air in the egg in order for them to come out nice and fluffy. 

4. Add the extras. I added diced tomatoes and spinach and a pinch of cheese.

5. Pour into the waffle iron and allow to cook for about a minute. You can check on it and if it’s not done, you can give it one more minute. They usually cook in about two minutes.  

Yogurt Parfait

    I love Chick-fil-A and I’m obsessed with their yogurt parfaits! I typically don’t like yogurt BUT theirs is THE BEST. As it turns out, they have a contract with a popular milk company that makes their yogurt specifically for them so you can’t purchase it. I did a lot of research and taste tests and found something very similar though.“The Greek God’s Greek Yogurt” in the flavor Honey Vanilla is a quality dupe. I find mine at my local H-E-B but I’ve included a link just in case. You can add in slices of strawberries and blueberries or whatever fruit you prefer. I top mine off with coconut granola from Trader Joe’s or I crumble pieces of Oreo’s, which of course, makes it a million times better!

Greek God’s Yogurt 

I encourage you to shop locally and buy your produce from a local farmer’s market. If you’re from San Antonio, take the short drive to Poteet and buy some fresh strawberries! A family-owned farm that I trust is Sanchez Family Farm. You can follow them on Facebook and they update on where they are selling during strawberry season. I’ve included the link below! 

Check Out Sanchez Family Farm 

Lunch/Dinner:

Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers

For these dorm-friendly stuffed bell peppers, you’ll need Trader Joe’s Beefless Ground Beef, cheese (optional), instant brown rice, stewed tomatoes, pinto beans, and frozen corn.

• 2 large sweet red peppers

• 1 cup of canned crushed or stewed tomatoes

• 1/3 cup of instant brown rice

• 2 tablespoons of hot water

• ¾ cup of pinto beans

• ½ cup of thawed frozen corn

• ½ cup of Mexican three cheese blend

Step-by-step: 

1. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise from the top of the stem down. Remove the seeds. Place the bell peppers in a shallow, microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave for about 3-4 minutes until the peppers are tender. 

2. Combine the tomatoes, rice, and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Cover and follow the instructions on the rice packet to ensure the rice is tender. It typically takes about 5-6 minutes. 

3. Stir in the beans and corn and sprinkle with cheese on top. Microwave for about 2-3 minutes.  

4. Place the filling in the sweet red peppers and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Enchilada Orzo

I was shown this recipe by a friend when I had decided to start eating vegetarian throughout the week in order to make my diet a little healthier.  I decided to add some of the Trader Joe’s Beefless ground beef into my recipe but this recipe is great as is!  I honestly thought I wouldn’t like it at first and I had never heard of orzo, and now I love it!

Slow Cooker Enchilada Recipe 

Ramped Up Ramen recipe from Food and Wine

This recipe is dorm friendly, super easy, and simple with only a few directions and so yummy!  College students are already known for eating Ramen noodles on a daily basis as a joke but this is an upgraded new version and I honestly could eat this every day! 

Ramped Up Ramen Recipe

Healthy Snacks:

Trader Joe’s Trek Mix

While I’m studying or watching a zoom class, I love snacking on this trail mix. I don’t like raisins and especially not in trail mix because they get way too salty, this trail mix does not contain raisins! This is a simple mix of cashews, almonds, and chocolate. They have a variety of trail mix’s so there’s more than likely one of your preference.  

No-Bake Energy Bites

These easy-to-make bites are super delicious and best of all you don’t need an oven! You can substitute the rolled oats for the oat mix in the trader joes instant mix if you prefer. All you need are equal parts of the following ingredients:

• Rolled oats (Old Fashioned Oats) 

• Creamy Peanut Butter

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Honey

• Vanilla Extract 

You can always substitute or add coconut, chia seeds, or granola. 

Step-by-step: 

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl

2. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour

3. Roll them into balls

4. Enjoy!