5 Microwave Recipes for Your Dorm Hall

Sick of dining hall food or need a quick meal without leaving your dorm building? Try our personal favorite microwave recipes that need little more than a bowl and lid! And if you’re feeling extra ambitious, you could also finesse some ✨fancy✨ dishes to impress your friends. These are in order of difficulty level!

1. Herby Potato Roast (Difficulty: ⭐️)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz of baby potatoes (~8-10 potatoes)

• Salt and pepper, or other herbs to taste

Instructions: 

1. Wash potatoes thoroughly and pat dry with a paper towel

2. Season potatoes generously with salt and pepper

3. Microwave on a plate on high for 5-6 minutes, or until tender

Upgrades:

Some classic herbs for potatoes: rosemary, thyme, garlic parmesan (put some minced garlic and grated parmesan before microwaving), parsley, etc.

Source: Anyday

2. Salmon Fillet (Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️)

Ingredients:

• One 4-6 oz (fresh or frozen) salmon fillet

• Salt and pepper

Instructions: 

1. Place the seasoned salmon fillet on a microwavable plate 

2. Cover with lid and microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork

3. If it’s not cooked through or if you’re cooking a frozen salmon, continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until it’s done

Source: Anyday

3. Steamed Egg (Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs

• 1 cups of water or chicken/veggie broth

• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and water/broth until very well combined and smooth; skim off any bubbles

2. Cover with a lid or saran wrap (poke a few holes in it)

3. Microwave on high for above 5 minutes (or until the eggs have set and are no longer liquid in the middle)

4. Let sit in the microwave for 1 minute before carefully removing

5. Drizzle soy sauce or sesame oil on top as desired

6. Top with green onions or sesame seeds as desired

Source: Anyday

4. Chocolate Mug Cake (Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour 

• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 

• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 

• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

• A pinch of salt

• 3 tablespoons milk (or milk substitute) 

• 1 tablespoons canola oil (or melted butter) 

• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 

• 1 tsp chocolate chips 

Instructions:

1. Spray the bottom of a microwave-safe mug or coffee cup lightly with cooking spray

2. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in the mug

3. Add canola oil, milk, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. Make sure to scrape the 

4. Add chocolate chips 

5. Microwave on high for 1-1.5 minutes or until the cake is just set

6. Let the mug cake cool in the microwave for 1 minute before serving

Source: Tastes Better From Scratch

5. Drunken Noodles (Difficulty: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp vegetable oil

• 2 tablespoons shredded carrots

• 1 garlic clove, chopped finely

• 1 tbsp (dark) soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 3/4 cup water or chicken/veggie stock

• 2oz wide rice noodles

• ½ cup firm tofu, chopped into cubes

• ½ bok choy, chopped

Instructions:

1. Place oil, garlic, carrots, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and stock/water in a bowl

2. Add the noodles and soak in the sauce until all the noodles are covered

3. Add the tofu and bok choy on top

4. Microwave for 9 minutes on high or until the noodles are soft

5. Let sit so the sauce thickens

Source: Anyday

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The author of this post is Lily Li, a PhD candidate in mathematics at Princeton. She loves mentoring students on the Princeton and Rutgers campuses and knows how to cook up a good meal even on a busy schedule.

You can email Campus Light at campuslightchurch@gmail.com.

You can also check out campuslight.org for more info.