The only problem with the turntable in my dorm microwave was that it would only rotate about a half turn before stopping, so whatever I nuked would be molten lava hot on one side and frozen on the other, which I realized after doing the same thing three times with leftovers. I also learned that “cooking” in a dorm basically boils down to figuring out what a microwave and kettle are good for, and bad.
For half a school year I cooked exclusively using these. I had no stove, no oven, not even a toaster. Just a microwave that could cook everything in less than 5 minutes, a $15 electric kettle, a $2 bowl, a 16 ounce mug, and a shelf in the mini-fridge. Here’s what I learned, from 8th favorite to 1st favorite meal, and the real verdict on each.
What I Had To Deal With
One quick disclaimer before the rankings – they change every time I run through the list. All microwave times listed below are for a 1000-watt microwave. If you have a 700-watt one, add about 30 percent of time.
If you have a 1200-watt, cut about 15 percent. When in doubt, go short and add 15 seconds at a time. Most of the bad results in this post were due to overshoots, not undershoots.
Another thing, look up your dorm’s policy on kettles. Several dorms prohibit them entirely, and a handful only permit ones with auto shutoff.
| Rank | Meal | Time | Approx. cost | My score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loaded microwave baked potato | 12 min | $1.75 | 9/10 |
| 2 | Mug mac and cheese from scratch | 8 min | $1.00 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Mug scrambled eggs | 3 min | $0.75 | 8/10 |
| 4 | Upgraded instant ramen | 6 min | $1.25 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | Kettle couscous chickpea bowl | 8 min | $1.50 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Kettle oats with banana and peanut butter | 6 min | $0.80 | 6.5/10 |
| 7 | Microwave quesadilla | 2 min | $1.00 | 5.5/10 |
| 8 | Mug brownie | 3 min | $0.90 | 5/10 |
8. Mug Brownie (5/10)
3 tbsp flour 2 tbsp cocoa 3 tbsp sugar Pinch of salt 2 tbsp oil 3 tbsp milk 1 tbsp choc bits all stirred into a 12oz mug microwave for 70 seconds.
Good for 4 minutes when you get it right then it goes into a dense semi rubbery thing if you get to 90 seconds the edges turn into a hockey puck. Use a bigger mug than you think you need as it does spill over in a small mug. No this is not a meal just a dessert and I would say alright not wonderful.
7. Microwave Quesadilla (5.5/10)
An 8″ flour tortilla, 1/3 C cheese on one half, fold over. Microwave on a plate 35 seconds, flip, microwave an additional 15 seconds.
If the cheese melted perfectly, the tortilla was soft and chewy (not crispy, which is the whole point of a quesadilla) instead of satisfying crunchy. A snack, not a dinner. One secret: a paper towel underneath the tortilla prevents it from turning soggy on the bottom.
6. Kettle Oats With Banana and Peanut Butter (6.5/10)
“1/2 cup rolled oats in a bowl, 3/4 cup of boiling water from kettle poured over the oats with a plate on top for 4 mins. Mix in 1 tablespoon peanut butter and half a sliced banana.”
Yields an extra-smooth mash; can be a little pricey, however, and it loses points for just being, as. Once I started playing around with different quantities of water, I learned that I needed.75 cups of water for half a cup of oats in order to get a consistently thick but not over-lose!
5. Kettle Couscous Chickpea Bowl (7.5/10)
1/2 cup plain couscous 1/2 cup boiling water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 Tbsp olive oil Mix and cover for 5 mins with a plate. Fluff and add 1/2 rinsed canned chickpeas, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and any fresh veg you have on hand, such as cherry tomatoes or diced cucumber.
This is the only meal of the six I listed to require any time in the microwave and having to wait for a line to form at the microwave was a godsend. It’s also tasty cold the next day from the mini fridge. Nothing special, but you can jazz it up with any sauce you’ve got. You can also read:
- 15-Minute Garlic Butter Pasta That Saved My Weeknights
- Apple Crisp Without Oats: Three Topping Versions Tested Side by Side
4. Enhanced Instant Ramen (7.5/10)
1 pack instant ramen noodles in a large bowl: pour over 2 cups boiling water, then cover and leave for 3 mins. Beat 1 egg and, while still hot, stir into the noodles then microwave for 45 secs so the egg becomes rippeds. Mix in 1 tsp soy sauce and a handful of frozen peas.
Here’s where I went wrong. I used the entire season packet. It was way too salty and I didn’t realize it until I’d done it three times.½ packet plus soy sauce is perfect. A one-dollar pack of noodles suddenly feels like an actual food.
3. Mug Scrambled Eggs (8/10)
You will need: 1 teaspoon butter in a 16 oz mug 2 eggs 1 tablespoon milk a pinch of salt Whisk with a fork in your mug Microwave 30 seconds, stir, 30 seconds, stir, 20 to 30 seconds more until just set.
I did my first version on the first try with a solo 90-second run and got a good – albeit a bit souffle-ed over and it deflated into a rubbery egg that clings to the mug for a week. That stir-in-between method is what makes these soft and seriously eggy. Add shredded cheese in last 20 seconds.
2. Mug Mac and Cheese From Scratch (8.5/10)
Easiest Mac & Cheese: 1/2 c elbow macaroni 3/4 c cold water pinch of salt Large bowl or 16 oz mug Microwave 3 min. Stir, 2 more min. Stir again, 30 sec.
Add in: 1/4 c milk 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese.
Microwave 30 sec., Stir until smooth.
First time I made the sauce in a little mug, and then the starchy water boiled over all over the microwave and left behind a gooey mess. Second time was a charm! Second time, I didn’t have time to stir constantly until the cheese melted and it started to turn into mac n’ cheese sauce. Give it a quick stir after adding the cheese and after 20 seconds it’ll become thick and cheesy and delicious.
1. Loaded Microwave Baked Potato (9/10)
This one was a winner because it actually tastes like a real dinner and you don’t need any skill to make it. I probably made it at least twice a week all year and never got sick of it. Recipe card below.
Loaded Microwave Baked Potato
Prep Time: 3 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Yield: 1 | microwaves: based on a 1000-watt oven
Ingredients
- 1 medium russet potato (about 8 oz)
- 1/3 cup canned black beans, drained
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar
- 2 tablespoons of salsa
- 1 teaspoon butter
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- Wash the potato and pierce it 6 to 8 times with a fork to allow the steam to escape.
- Microwave on a plate for 5 minutes.
- Turn the potato and microwave again for 3 to 4 minutes until a fork goes in easily.
- Sit it aside for 2 minutes. Cook it through and ensure that the centre is not dry.
- Heat the beans in a small bowl for 45 seconds.
- Take a scoop from the potato, mash the inside a bit with a fork and add the butter, salt and pepper.
- Top with the beans, cheese, and salsa.
Notes: Avoiding the poke step is why potatoes explode. Do not do that. For a large potato, add an additional 1 minute for every additional 2 oz.
Two That Didn’t Make the Cut
I attempted microwave spaghetti in a bowl of dry noodles and water cooked for 8 minutes. It was chewy on the outside, somehow still crunchy in the middle. Shorter shapes work better than long spaghetti shapes in the microwave.
I also made a mug pancake and it turned out really dense and strangely spongy, more like a horrible muffin top than a proper pancake. I haven’t made it again.
What I’d Buy With $25 and a Shelf
If I were building a dorm kitchen from scratch today, I’d purchase a dozen eggs, a box of macaroni, a box of couscous, a couple of cans of black beans and chickpeas, block of cheddar cheese, russet potatoes, instant ramen, oats, and a jar of peanut butter. You can get through most of this list in 2 weeks.