Dorm Dinners: Meals Only Using A Fridge and Microwave

I hate college dining halls. There are limited options, the food gets old quick, and there are even fewer allergen friendly options. A lot of the recipes I’m sharing with you are what got me through two years of college. The only appliances you need for these recipes are your mini fridge and microwave (which are both dorm approved)!

1. Microwave Quesadilla (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Gluten-free tortillas, shredded cheese, canned beans (black or pinto), salsa
• Instructions:
  1. Place a gluten-free tortilla on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Sprinkle with cheese, beans, and a little salsa.
  3. Top with another tortilla.
  4. Microwave for about 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are warm.
  5. Slice and serve!

2. Frozen Veggie Stir-Fry (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Frozen mixed veggies, microwaveable rice (make sure it’s gluten-free), gluten-free soy sauce or gluten-free tamari sauce
• Instructions:
  1. Heat frozen veggies in the microwave according to the package instructions.
  2. Microwave gluten-free rice according to package instructions.
  3. Mix the veggies and rice together, then drizzle with gluten-free soy or tamari sauce.
  4. Microwave for another 30 seconds to heat through.

3. Microwave Baked Potato with Toppings

• Ingredients: Large potato, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits (check they’re gluten-free), green onions
• Instructions:
  1. Pierce the potato with a fork and microwave on high for 5-7 minutes (flipping halfway through).
  2. Cut open, fluff with a fork, and top with sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onions.

7. Microwave Burrito Bowl (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Microwaveable rice (gluten-free), canned beans, frozen corn, salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream
• Instructions:
  1. Microwave rice and combine with canned beans and corn.
  2. Add salsa and cheese, then microwave for another minute to melt the cheese.
  3. Top with sour cream and enjoy.

8. Microwave “Fried” Chicken Wrap (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Gluten-free chicken tenders (frozen), gluten-free flour tortillas, lettuce, cheese, ranch or hot sauce
• Instructions:
  1. Microwave gluten-free chicken tenders according to package instructions.
  2. Warm the gluten-free tortilla for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.
  3. Add the chicken tenders, lettuce, cheese, and any sauce to the tortilla.
  4. Roll it up into a wrap and enjoy!

12. Microwave Sweet Potato with Toppings

• Ingredients: Sweet potato, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, bacon bits (check gluten-free)
• Instructions:
  1. Pierce the sweet potato with a fork.
  2. Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes (flip halfway through).
  3. Once soft, cut it open and fluff with a fork.
  4. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions, and bacon bits.

13. Gluten-Free Rice Paper Rolls

• Ingredients: Rice paper wrappers, cooked chicken or shrimp (frozen), shredded veggies (carrot, cucumber), peanut butter or soy sauce for dipping
• Instructions:
  1. Soak rice paper in warm water for 10-15 seconds, until pliable.
  2. Fill with cooked chicken, shrimp, and shredded veggies.
  3. Roll tightly and serve with peanut butter or gluten-free soy sauce for dipping.

14. Chicken & Veggie Microwave “Casserole”

• Ingredients: Pre-cooked chicken (frozen or rotisserie), frozen mixed veggies, shredded cheese, cooked rice (gluten-free)
• Instructions:
  1. Combine the cooked chicken, frozen veggies, and rice in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add shredded cheese on top and microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot.
  3. Stir everything together and enjoy!

15. Microwave Chili (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Canned chili (check for gluten-free label), shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips (gluten-free)
• Instructions:
  1. Heat the canned chili in the microwave according to the can’s instructions.
  2. Once heated, top with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
  3. Serve with gluten-free tortilla chips on the side.

16. Microwave Chicken Fajitas (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Pre-cooked chicken (frozen or deli), bell peppers (frozen or fresh), gluten-free tortillas, salsa, cheese, sour cream
• Instructions:
  1. Microwave the chicken and bell peppers until heated through (2-3 minutes).
  2. Warm the gluten-free tortillas for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.
  3. Fill the tortillas with the chicken and peppers, add salsa, cheese, and sour cream.

17. Gluten-Free Breakfast for Dinner

• Ingredients: Eggs, gluten-free bread (for toast), butter, cheese, avocado, salsa
• Instructions:
  1. Scramble or microwave eggs (1 minute in the microwave, stirring halfway).
  2. Toast gluten-free bread in the microwave (wrapped in a damp paper towel for softness).
  3. Top eggs with cheese, avocado, and salsa.
  4. Serve with toast on the side.

18. Microwave Enchiladas (Gluten-Free)

• Ingredients: Corn tortillas (gluten-free), canned chicken or cooked chicken, enchilada sauce, shredded cheese
• Instructions:
  1. Heat the corn tortillas for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.
  2. Layer the tortillas with chicken and some enchilada sauce.
  3. Roll up each tortilla and place them in a microwave-safe dish.
  4. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.
  5. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until everything is hot and the cheese melts.

19. Rice and Bean Stuffed Peppers

• Ingredients: Bell peppers, microwaveable rice (gluten-free), canned beans, shredded cheese, salsa
• Instructions:
  1. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
  2. Microwave the rice and beans together.
  3. Stuff the bell peppers with the rice and bean mixture.
  4. Top with shredded cheese and microwave for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts.
  5. Serve with salsa on top.

20. Gluten-Free Meatball & Veggie Bowl

• Ingredients: Gluten-free frozen meatballs, frozen mixed veggies, microwaveable rice, marinara sauce (gluten-free)
• Instructions:
  1. Microwave the frozen meatballs according to package instructions.
  2. Microwave the rice and veggies.
  3. Combine meatballs, rice, and veggies in a bowl, then pour marinara sauce over it.
  4. Microwave for another minute or until heated through.

Final Thoughts

These recipes are quick, easy, cheap, and dorm friendly! I hope you find this blog and these recipes as helpful as I did during my dorm days.

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