For all the college students out there, I bet it feels good to gather a few friends and go to the dining hall, eating all of the fried foods and delicious desserts offered (talk about the freshman 15). However, if we have learned anything over the past few months, it is how to adapt and how to cook on your own.
Many college students are returning to dining halls and lecture halls and trading in homemade meals and virtual classes in bed. However, you can still indulge in some tasty and quick microwave treats that you would typically eat at home. And if you are living on your college campus, you may be snacking away a bit more in the comfort of your dorm to practice social distancing.
Below is a list of some of my favorite recipes that I created in my Sharp Stainless Steel Carousel Countertop Microwave Oven and that you can make in your Sharp Countertop Microwave oven or Microwave Drawer Oven.
We would love to hear from you. Connect with on social using #SharpHome on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and tag @SharpHomeUSA to let us know what your favorite microwave recipes are. Let’s get started!
The Perfect Fettuccine Alfredo Dish
One thing about college classes is that they can happen from as early as 8 a.m. and go on until at least 10 p.m., meaning that we may not be around during traditional mealtimes. I remember some semesters, my classes wouldn’t even start until 4 and last until 9:30, meaning I wouldn’t be around during prime meal hours and be on my own.
Let’s face it, if you are eating by yourself or late at night, you don’t want to prepare a five-course meal just for you and then clean up, which can take hours. But that shouldn’t mean you should skip an excellent meal.
As you may know, I am a pasta fanatic! So, when I found this microwave Fettuccine Alfredo recipe “Kimspired DIY,” I thought there was no better way to start this roundup. It is perfect for any time of day and can be prepared in under 10 minutes.
First, put on your mask and head on over to your local grocery or campus food store to pick up some of the ingredients, Fettuccine, heavy cream, salt and pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Now let’s go through some of the steps:
- Grab a small bowl and fill it with a 1/3 cup of water. Also, add a bit of salt for extra taste.
- Put your small bowl or mug in the microwave for about 4 minutes. After that, mix it for a bit and put it in for another 2 minutes and mix again, and then finally one more minute.
- The next step is to add grated cheese and heavy cream to the creation and stir it in. Make sure to stir w to each bite is just as tasty. Once done, cook it in the microwave for 45 seconds.
- Finally, take it out of the microwave and sprinkle it with pepper for a final touch and enjoy your meal.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
For many years in my childhood (okay and my teens too), macaroni and cheese would be the only thing I would eat. Whenever I would go to a local diner or steakhouse with my close family and friends, the first thing I would be to look at the last page on the menu and see if they had a macaroni and cheese offering.
Right before my freshman year of college, one of the first things I bought was a case of generic microwave macaroni and cheese, and ate it a little more than I would like to admit. Now being a bit older, I think it may be time to mature the recipe, and l decided to look into a more homemade style recipe.
While on social media, I came across a Homemade Single-Serve Microwave Macaroni and Cheese recipe from “Ella Claire and Co.“ This recipe offers more nutrition than store-bought packages and is just as creamy and delicious. And the even better part is that it takes only 15 minutes to prepare and cook with little ingredients required. I know you probably want the recipe by now, so let’s jump right into it.
Some of the things you will need to pick up from the store are elbow macaroni (whole grain, gluten-free, your choice), shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese, and a splash of milk. For the macaroni and the milk, feel free to substitute them according to your dietary restrictions or personal preference. Shall we begin?
- Grab an oversized microwave bowl (so the water does not boil over) and add 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup of water.
- Once you begin the microwave, please place it in there for 4 minutes, then stir and put it back in. Repeat this process after 2 minutes, and again after 1 minute. Make sure to check the water and feel free to add more if you think you some.
- Leave the tiny bit of water that will remain in the bowl and shred 1/3 cup of the cheese and place it back in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds.
- Finally, stir it and add a splash of milk. You now have unique and homemade macaroni and cheese to enjoy!
Let’s Not Skip Breakfast, How About an Omelet
Throughout my life, everyone around me always emphasized the importance of breakfast. College students can relate when I say I find mornings very stressful. No matter what environment you are in– whether you are adding some final touches to your research paper or cramming in 11 weeks’ worth of material for your exam in a few hours (trust me, I’ve been there), breakfast may be more critical than ever to give you the energy you need throughout the day.
Staying at home or spending more time in your dorm room may have eliminated the omelet lines in the cafeteria, but you can achieve a gourmet breakfast on your own in less than 2 minutes. With many different options to choose for breakfast, I found this 2 Minute Omelette recipe from “Jamie Sanders Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.” Just looking at this protein-filled creation made me want to dive right in (and stomach growl). So what do you say?
Listen carefully and head on over to the grocery store with your Simple DIY Face Mask and put a carton of eggs in your cart (you will need to use about 2-3 so the smaller, the better), a tablespoon of diced meat, salsa, shredded cheese, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Here we go!
- Use the olive oil (or cooking spray) to coat your bowl or mug to prepare it. Add 2-3 eggs in and mix it with your fork.
- Next, put 1 tbsp. of your choice of dice meat into the bowl along with 1 tbsp of shredded cheese, 1 tbsp of salsa, and a splash of salt and pepper. Mix all ingredients well.
- Place your mixture into the microwave for a minute on high. Keep an eye on it and break up any large chunks of eggs. Stir it after the minute and place it in there again for about 45 seconds.
- Finally, add a bit of cheese and salt and pepper to the top and enjoy!
Cinnamon Packed French Toast
One thing that I love about each of these recipes is that they require very little preparation and the ingredients needed are not overwhelming. That’s what makes them perfect for college students who are either living in a dorm hall or their childhood bedroom.
While I talked about the importance of breakfast before, I know that omelets may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Some of us may prefer something with a bit more taste, and that can be completed in such little time. This starchy and sweet 2-Minute French Toast from “Pretty Prudent” will satisfy any hunger and happy too.
To create this recipe, you won’t need many ingredients. Go through your cabinets and head to the grocery store to pick up:
- 1-2 slices of bread
- 1 tbsp butter
- an egg
- 3 tbsp milk
- dash of cinnamon
- vanilla extract
- First, divide the slices of bread into little cubes and place them into a small bowl or mug.
- Next, take the butter and melt it in the microwave and spread it over the cup, covering each piece of bread.
- Grab another cup, and mix the egg, cinnamon (yummy!), milk, and vanilla extract. Make sure to stir it well.
- Once this mixture is stirred, pour it over the bread and soak the bread to make sure the liquid has touched each piece.
- Then we are going to place it in the microwave. Dependent on your microwave, start with a minute and add 10 seconds at a time until ready. A minute and 20 seconds should work.
- If you are feeling up to it, top it off with some syrup and enjoy every bite.
Delicious Chocolate Cookies
Congrats! You just received a good grade on your exam, that calls for a celebration. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than rewarding our tastebuds with a special treat. If you think about it, any time a milestone or anniversary occurs, it is common to gather a group of people and celebrate with a cake or dessert of some type, so why not keep the momentum going.
While living on my college campus, I found myself indulging in baked goods and delicious desserts after any accomplishment. It could’ve been handing in a report or finishing up a presentation. Yes, a lot has changed over the past few months; however, one thing that hasn’t is my love for sweets, specifically chocolate chip cookies.
One thing that I find a bit inconvenient was the concept of needing huge appliances and a bunch of ingredients to bake desserts. When I saw this 1-Minute Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie from “Eugenie Kitchen,” I just knew I had to try it. The idea of having a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with the chocolate all soft and gooey. What makes this recipe even better, you don’t need to use eggs!
To whip up this tasty creation, you will need to gather:
- a tablespoon of unsalted butter (make sure to melt in before we begin)
- 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract (my favorite)
- 2 teaspoons of whole milk and chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
- Keep a bit of salt nearby.
Are you wondering how it’s done? Let’s see.
- Grab a small bowl and collect the light brown sugar and mix it with the melted butter. Then combine the whole milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to top it off.
- Next, add and fold the flour into the mix and add in some chocolate chips. I say the more, the merrier.
- Transfer the cookie onto a microwave-safe plate and shape the creation into a form of a cookie, thickening the middle.
- Dependent on your microwave, cook it for 30 seconds and check on it. If it’s not to your liking, try it again for 20 and then 10. You want to make sure the center is cooked as the cookie will get firmer once outside of the microwave.
