I'm Annoyed I Didn't Have These 17 Super-Easy Dorm-Friendly Recipes When I Was In College
Can you feel it? Fall is in the air, and that only means one thing—it’s back-to-school season! No matter how many years have passed since I was in college (ahem, let’s not talk about it), I still get a burst of new energy every September, and find myself reminiscing over everything from new notebooks (STG if I just find the right one, my whole life will improve) to learning how to live alongside roommates for the first time. Now that I work in food, I particularly love to think about all the things I attempted to cook for myself when all I had to work with was a hot plate or a microwave. These are the 17 dorm-friendly recipes I wish I’d had to help get me through. Learn from my misfortune, and bookmark them to reference all semester long!
Warm Tahini Ramen Noodles
This quick and satisfying meal lands somewhere between savory instant ramen and creamy peanut noodles. Throw in your favorite raw veggies for a dish that's healthy, filling, and delicious. (The trifecta!) For a little extra oomph, whisk in part of a ramen flavor packet little by little, tasting and adjusting along the way.
Get the Warm Tahini Ramen Noodles recipe.
Easy Overnight Oats
When busy mornings hit, nothing beats overnight oats. They’re an easy, no-cook version of the classic breakfast that only takes a few minutes to prepare. Prep them the night before, tuck them into your dorm fridge to soak, and you’ll have a chilled, creamy, on-the-go breakfast waiting for you in the morning.
Get the Easy Overnight Oats recipe.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
When you're hungry for more than a light meal, but don't have a ton of space, this Mediterranean-inspired chickpea salad is what you should make. Thanks to the chickpeas, this salad will keep you full for hours, and is satisfying in a way that leafy greens never could be (sorry not sorry, kale).
Get the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad recipe.
BBQ Chicken Twice-Baked Potatoes
These twice-baked potatoes (make them in your microwave!) are loaded with the makings of a full BBQ chicken dinner (and using leftover rotisserie chicken means they come together fast). If you love these, you're going to love these Mexican-inspired twice-baked sweet potatoes too.
Get the BBQ Chicken Twice-Baked Potatoes recipe.
Brownie In A Mug
Got an urgent brownie craving while doing some late night studying? This easy mug brownie is ultra-fudgy and ready in minutes. It's rich enough for two people, but it's okay not to share. 😏
Get the Brownie In A Mug recipe.
TikTok Green Goddess Salad
This is an ingenious chopped salad that is filled to the brim with green veggies. The whole thing comes together in minutes and ends up resembling a chunky guacamole, which is why we recommend serving this salad with tortilla chips for dipping. Eating a salad with chips?! BRILLIANT!
Get the TikTok Green Goddess Salad recipe.
Creamy Peanut-Lime Chicken With Noodles
Who can resist rice noodles bathed in an abundance of sweet and creamy peanut sauce? Not us! In this recipe, the prep actually takes longer than the cooking, so feel free to make some elements ahead. With all them behind you, the dish comes together in a snap.
Get the Creamy Peanut-Lime Chicken With Noodles recipe.
Grilled Chicken Salad
This grilled chicken salad—filled with cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado—is the healthy dinner we tend to make again and again. If you're vegetarian, try subbing in hard-boiled eggs for the chicken!
Get the Grilled Chicken Salad recipe.
Chickpea "Tuna" Salad
You (and your roommate!) won't miss the tuna when you've got this dupe: this creamy, zingy, crunchy salad will satisfy all your canned fish cravings. We like to keep a can of chickpeas in our pantry at all times, so this easy sandwich is always only 5 minutes away.
Get the Chickpea "Tuna" Salad recipe.
Chia Pudding
Chia seeds might sound intimidating, but in reality, they couldn't be easier to turn into a delicious, customizable breakfast. Not only do they pack in the health benefits, but once mixed with milk and refrigerated, they turn into an easy creamy pudding that only requires 5 minutes of prep time. The fridge does all the work!
Get the Chia Pudding recipe.
Chicken Shawarma Bowls
These flavorful rice bowls are filled with bright, crunchy veggies that make this dish filling, but also so easy to make. Top it with a simple yogurt sauce and your favorite store-bought or homemade hummus. The bowls are great on their own or served with some warmed pita to scoop up all of the components.
Get the Chicken Shawarma Bowls recipe.
Ramen Carbonara
Craving carbonara, but also in need of a cheap and easy dinner? Instant ramen is here to save the day. If you’re looking for a creative way to use up that last ramen package, this is the recipe that will class up the pantry staple. We bet this could come together in the microwave too!
Get the Ramen Carbonara recipe.
Chicken Caesar Wraps
A chicken Caesar salad is a timeless classic, only made better (and more portable!) in a wrap. Our best tips for greatness: seek out nicer croutons, but whatever store-bought Caesar dressing you can find will work!
Get the Chicken Caesar Wraps recipe.
Chicken Tacos
We say the more toppings the merrier. We like our chicken tacos (use rotisserie chicken!) topped with red onion (pickled onions would be great too), avocado, cilantro, and cheese. Pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, or some crushed corn chips would also be delicious, so have fun with it!
Get the Chicken Tacos recipe.
Avocado Toast
Love it or hate it, avocado toast is impossible to ignore. Luckily, we love it, and think it deserves more credit for being a hearty, delicious combo of creamy avocado and crisp-chewy toasted sourdough bread with whatever toppings your heart desires.
Get the Avocado Toast recipe.
Ground Beef Stir-Fry Teriyaki Bowls
This recipe combines ground beef with broccoli, carrots, and teriyaki sauce. Best part? Ground beef means no slicing or dicing the meat; just go from the package directly to the microwave or pan and get cooking.
Get the Ground Beef Stir-Fry Teriyaki Bowls recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
This Buffalo chicken wrap is just as easy to customize as it is to make. Feel free to adjust the spices to add more or less heat, swap out the slaw for lettuce, the blue cheese sauce with ranch dressing, or use cauliflower or tofu instead of meat. For the mayo-haters out there, try Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Wrap recipe.
You Might Also Like
