Easy recipes every college student should know

Tired of the dining hall? We’ve rounded up our best shortcut, low-ingredient, make-ahead and dorm-friendly ideas.

For many, college means learning independence, including in the kitchen. Living away from home is a great opportunity to explore different cuisines, develop culinary skills, master a feweasy recipesand gain confidence in cooking for yourself. So, fill up themini fridgeand stock up ondorm-room essentials—we’ve rounded up recipes that coax big flavors out ofshort ingredient lists, use approachable techniques and give you dietary value to boot.

For instance, this deliciousbreakfasttakes 10 minutes, andyou’ll only have to wash one panafterward! Ham, cheese and baby spinach are used here, but you can swap them out for your favorite omelet fillings.

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (2)

Get the Recipe:Tortilla Breakfast Wrap

Microwave Mac and Cheese

This from-scratch mac and cheese cooks in one bowl, and you don’t have to boil the macaroni or cook the cheese sauce separately. Plus, it’s ready in less than half an hour. A blend of American and Jack cheeses makes the sauce smooth and tangy.

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (3)

Microwave Potato

A fully loaded baked potato can make for a hearty meal, but what college student has an hour to wait for a spud to cook?! This recipe yields a moist, steamy, fluffy potato with crispy skin in a fraction of the time.

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (4)

Get the Recipe:Microwave Potato

5-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Soup

Premade pesto delivers tons of herbal flavor in this 5-ingredient dish. The first step is simmering the chicken thighs in broth for 40 minutes, so you can study (or watch TV) while you wait. Then, simply shred the chicken, add it in with the spinach, and stir in some pesto.

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (5)

Get the Recipe:5-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Soup

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats surged in popularity a few years ago, and it’s easy to see why. They only take five minutes of prep, they’re super customizable and they’re nutritious—a breakfast trifecta! Not to mention, you can carry the jar with you if you’re rushing out the door. Registered dietician Min Kwon will get you started with this recipe, which is really a scaffold to help you choose your favorite ingredients and perfect your milk-to-oat ratio.

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (6)

Egg-and-Kimchi Rice Bowls

This quick, satisfying meal was inspired by the Korean rice dish bibimbap. Pre-cooked brown rice saves time, while eggs and bacon add satisfying, salty protein. Garnish with creamy avocado, sliced scallions and a simple, homemade kimchi sauce for a bowl of rich, tangy goodness.

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Get the Recipe:Egg-and-Kimchi Rice Bowls

One-Pot Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

This pasta recipe looks pretty, and it’s hard to mess up. The one-pot design means you add all of your ingredients to the pot, bring it to a boil, and stir until it comes together. Fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic are the stars of this dish.

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Get the Recipe:One-Pot Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Rice Cooker Pancake

If your dorm allows you to have a rice cooker, then you’re in luck because you can use it for more than just rice. For a fun treat, try making this spongy, Japanese-style pancake!

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Get the Recipe:Rice Cooker Pancake

Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap

This vegan recipe is a fast, convenient way to eat your veggies. You’ll fill a whole-wheat wrap with hummus, toasted pine nuts, grilled zucchini and fresh bell pepper, spinach, onions and mint. The combination of fresh and cooked vegetables has great nutritional value! This wrap also makes a great lunch since it’s easy to pack and carry with you.

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Get the Recipe:Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap

Microwave S’mores Mug Cakes

You only need a small amount of each ingredient to create this decadent chocolate, graham cracker, marshmallow treat—making it the ideal baking recipe for college students who don’t have a full kitchen or lots of storage for ingredients. Plus, it cooks up in the microwave in a matter of minutes—and makes just two, individual mug cakes.

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (11)

Get the Recipe:Microwave S’mores Mug Cakes

Shortcut Dan-Dan Noodles

This clever recipe is another way to dress up instant ramen. The secret to creating bold flavor with few ingredients? Pickle juice. Yep, bread and butter pickle brine adds sweetness, saltiness and acidity to the sauce. All you have to do is pop open a jar.

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Get the Recipe:Shortcut Dan-Dan Noodles

Easy recipes every college student should know | CNN (2024)