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Say "so long" to mystery meats in the dining hall with these 30 easy (and delicious!) recipes.

Most of these dishes are ready within 10 minutes, making them perfect for whipping up in between classes or for late-night study breaks. Ace these recipes, from ramen hacks to meals in a mug, this !

PB&J Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are such an easy and delicious way to wake up in the morning. Plus, you can make these in bulk for a nutritious breakfast every day. ( Munching with Mariyah)

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Our stomachs are grumbling just thinking about this colorful salad. ( Live Eat Learn)

Protein Packed Cookie Dough Bites

These are the *perfect* snacks for when you're on-the-go. ( Chef Bai)

15 Minute Buddha Bowls

We love Buddha bowls. They are such an amazing way to incorporate whatever's in your fridge into a fabulous meal, and are a perfect staple for busy college students. ( Live Eat Learn)

Frozen Blueberry Bites

These are basically DIY Tru-Frus for a whole lot less, so you know we'll be munching on these come dinnertime. ( Live Eat Learn)

G ranola bars are an absolute lifesaver when you're in a rush, but why are those little bars so expensive? For the college student on a budget, try these super delicious bars that are healthy for you and made in the microwave! (via Bakerita)

5-Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake

Grab a bowl and some over-ripe bananas (plus a few staple baking ingredients) for this champion breakfast, after-class snack, or late-night munchie. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Surprise! This soup was not made on a stove but was created in 10 minutes with the microwave. This hearty, fresh version of the Italian soup is packed with vegetables, beans and flavor for a meal that will get you through those math notes. (via Martha Stewart)
Want to get our latest foodie finds straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter! Check out our B+C Cooking and Baking classes on B+C Classes too! This article was originally posted on August 9, 2022 but has been updated with additional recipes. Header Image Courtesy of Luisa Brimble / Unsplash

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30 Easy College Meals You Can Make In Your Dorm Room

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You may think living in a college dorm means the end of good cooking and a constant diet of bad cafeteria food and ramen, but if you've got a waffle maker, a microwave and a mug, you can turn into a pretty incredible home cook with the right easy college meal recipes - and we have 25 of 'em for you!

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Sometimes you (and your wallet) need a break from dining hall food. These easy college meals are simple enough to cook in your dorm: all you need is a fridge, microwave or toaster. (Yep, even for that egg sandwich!)

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36 Tasty Recipes You Can Make in Your Dorm

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Sometimes you (and your wallet) need a break from dining hall food. These easy college meals are simple enough to cook in your dorm: all you need is a fridge, microwave or toaster. (Yep, even for that egg sandwich!)

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Students who aren't used to sharing a room may have difficulty compromising with roommates. Different personalities, friends or study and party habits can make it hard for students to maintain rules that work for everyone.

Colleges and universities typically provide students with tips on how to get along in the beginning of a school year, but many students struggle with communicating issues effectively year-round.

Learning how to get along with roommates isn't a skill that only new students will need. As upperclassmen migrate to apartments and other living arrangements, delegating chores and setting up rules can be just as complicated as living in a dorm room.

As a junior at the University of Florida, Vanessa Miller and her two roommates agreed on two simple rules: no illegal substances and no noise during exam weeks.

But Miller learned how complicated it can be to negotiate with other students when one roommate's continuous partying and indifference to the group's concerns led to tension in the apartment and sleepless nights for Miller.

Miller, who wasn't able to resolve the problems with her roommate, said the living situation was difficult, but she learned the value of dealing with problems as they surface.

"I should have told her constantly, 'Please don't do this, please don't do that. You can do whatever you want on the weekends, but you're my roommate and my friend and I hope that you would respect that,' instead of holding it all in and blowing up at the last minute," she says.

Students who are living in an uncomfortable living arrangement shouldn't suffer in silence. Experts recommend students try the following to resolve their issues with roommates.

1. Talk it out: Resident life directors recommend that students sit down face-to-face and try to reach an agreement by themselves before seeking intervention.

"Conflict is a healthy part of a relationship. It can lead to good things if managed early and if talked through and if negotiation and compromise can take place," says Kendra Hunter, director of university housing at Arizona State University.

When problems emerge, students should revisit their roommate agreements - the contract that students created in the beginning of the school year to lay out housing rules - and reexamine and discuss the rules they had set up.

"Specifically communicate about what you need, what you have to offer, how you like to communicate in general since that is going to set up any relationship, whether it's living with someone or working with someone, or working on a group project with someone," says Wendy Wippich, director of campus living at DePauw University.

2. Communicate in person: Technology is a huge part of many students' lives, so it can be easy for them to share frustrations in a text or tweet. But divulging your feelings online can often cause more problems.

Diane Andrews, senior director for residence life at Pennsylvania State University-University Park, says her staff sometimes has to intervene in situations where roommates aren't talking to each other because of something posted on Twitter.

"People will say a lot of things on Facebook or through texting and Twitter, but they're not comfortable having a rational conversation face-to-face, so we try to talk to students about how to do that," Andrews says.

3. Keep outsiders out of the conversation: "The thing that puts the most strain on a roommate relationship is bringing other people into the dynamic that don't need to be there," DePauw's Wippich says.

Roommate conversations often deal with personal subjects, and things can get emotional quickly. Wippich says that even when your intentions are good, involving friends can leave one roommate feeling attacked or bullied.

"Be mindful how you're using other people as support or as sounding board and how they can be involved," she says.

4. If you live on campus, consult your resident assistant: "RAs are really skilled at navigating and embracing the awkward that comes with some of those roommate disagreement conversations. They're really skilled at mediating them, asking the questions and helping students understand that sometimes it takes a little time to navigate a difficult dialogue with someone but the time is worth it in the end," Wippich says.

If a roommate situation is particularly bad, most campuses have resident life staff who can evaluate complaints on a case-by-case basis and help students make the best choice for them, even if that means switching rooms or taking other action.

"Ultimately they're here at the institution to pursue their academic interest and get a degree and, fundamentally, that's what we as resident life staff are here for - to help them get that degree - so anything that we can do to help and assist is in our best interest and theirs as well." Hunter says.
Searching for a college? Get our complete rankings of Best Colleges.

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Students who aren't used to sharing a room may have difficulty compromising with roommates. Different personalities, friends or study and party habits can make it hard for students to maintain rules that work for everyone. Colleges and universities typically provide students with tips on how to get along in the beginning of a school year, but many students struggle with communicating issues effectively year-round.

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Tips for Living with a Roommate (Forbes)

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Tips for Living with a Roommate (Forbes)

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Right about now, thousands of college-bound students, including my daughter, are preparing to take their first steps on the hallowed grounds of the schools they dreamed of attending. Getting here has not been for the faint of heart, but no sooner had my daughter been admitted to one of her top colleges, she fell prey to the next high-anxiety issue: finding a roommate. My daughter obsessed over not just finding a decent roommate, but how a complete stranger (a psycho roommate ) could ruin her first year at school. And her life.

Whether your child finds a roommate on their own or through the school, there are some ways to manage this particular round of college-induced anxiety and have a positive roommate experience. Here are some ways to foster a good roommate relationship.

1. Don't expect a BFF on day one: Look at your college roommate as someone to get along with, not as your future best friend. Incoming freshman often place too many expectations on the roommate friendship to be more than it ultimately can or needs to be. The idea is to have a , not necessarily great - and definitely not bad - roommate: someone you can live well with, who does not interfere with your studies. If you get a close friend out of it, that's a bonus, but not all roommates turn into besties and that's ok too. Living pleasantly with your roommate and enjoying their company when you can is a great outcome.

2. Start the conversation ASAP: The sooner you can begin the relationship the better. Right before school, schedule a get-to-know-you discussion and begin to establish boundaries. If possible, do this in person. Even if you selected your own roommate and already know them well, this is a necessary step. Knowing someone well and living with them are two very different things.

3. Discuss alarm clocks: Try to compare class schedules with your roommate(s) before the semester begins to see if you can establish a working dynamic around those times. You may have lucked out with classes that begin at 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. (so much better than high school!), but your roomie may have had no choice but to take classes beginning at the ungodly hour of 8:30 a.m. Ouch! If you're the type of person that can sleep through anything, your roommate's alarm, five snooze buttons later, may not affect you. If you're a light sleeper however, the alarm clock is a possible source of tension.

4. Discuss bathroom habits: First of all, figure out if the bathroom is actually in your dorm room, or shared with your hallmates (very common). Arrive to school with a bathroom caddy to transport your toiletries to-and-from your room, as well as plenty of towels. Anything left in a shared bathroom - no matter how considerate you think your roommates are - will be used by others. This could be the start of slow, simmering resentment. To help protect your belongings, choose dedicated shelves or areas where you'll store your toiletries if you have a shared bathroom or a private sink. Label those areas with your name on a piece of masking tape. It worked in kindergarten, and it will work here, too. If everyone does it, the system is especially effective. You'll also want to invest in a good robe, or some kind of cover-up because a dorm is a public space.

5. Study habits matter: It's good to have a variety of places to work outside of your dorm room. This will take some pressure off. Nevertheless, a few all-nighters are inevitable and your exam schedules will never line up perfectly. At any given point, one of you will be celebrating that your big paper is finally done while the other one is still facing the world's hardest midterm. Set some expectations now, before you are stressed out with deadlines, and never forget that what goes around comes around.

6. Germs and illness: Two years ago, several thousand students at the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University developed pink eye. Merely entering into a dorm room, let alone living in one, is like jumping into a petri dish. Each of you will get sick at some point your freshman year, probably more than once. Disinfecting wipes can help, but if your roommate is really ill, try to find someplace else to bunk until the storm passes. And most importantly, if you have some concern they may not be improving, or worse, becoming more ill, do not hesitate to call in a dorm supervisor and get that roommate medical help.

7. Deal with pesky noise: There is no way to know who will snore or snort. Or talk too loudly, or too frequently, or on the phone. Along with study habits, you should discuss how to manage phone conversations and visitors in these close quarters. If you want to pleasantly drown out those unavoidable sounds, I recommend purchasing something called a sound machine - it makes wonderful white noise and should help drown out bothersome sounds and lull you to slumber. These machines also come loaded up with background sounds like whooshing wind or the ocean waves. You could also just buy a small, good old-fashioned fan; they make great white noise too. Turn it on high, and you won't hate your roommate

8. Address bad smells: Funky and malodorous smells can doom any roommate relationship. First, address whether or not to allow eating in the room, and establish some rules for food storage, including when the fridge should be cleaned and who takes the trash out and when. Beyond that, some pleasant-smelling room spray for a quick spritz works wonders. You might also come armed with a few of those scented plug-ins. (Make sure your roomie has no allergies or any aversions to particular smells.) When it comes to smoke, of any sort, put your foot down. Set your expectations early. When things are particularly invasive, like smoke, bad smells, or loud music, it is fine to insist that they stay out of your shared space.

9. Dealing with hook-ups and being "sexiled": Whether it's some light PDA, or an overnight visit, dealing with a roommate's romantic partner can become a major source of conflict. And if it's ongoing, the constant, unwelcome presence of your roommate's partner can eat at what little privacy you have. It's best to have an honest ground-rules conversation upfront about boundaries and visiting hours. Working things out may be as simple as saying, "Hey, I'm going to go to the library for several hours. The room is all yours." Or you may decide on an all-out policy of no sleepovers. Whatever you and your roommates decide, consideration for each other and your shared space should be the priority.

10. Nip problems early on: If it's bugging you, bring it up. Don't let it linger and fester and don't assume that your roommate has any idea that there is something wrong. Bringing it up directly and early will save you piles of stress and tension. Passive aggressive behavior towards an unwanted roommate is a habit that just makes it worse for both of you. Be the adult in the room, you will be happier for it. If that fails, ask for help; that's why RAs are there. No matter how many ground rules you establish in the beginning, no matter how compatible you think you are with someone, there is no way to avoid all unpleasant moments, or even one or two unexpected, unprovoked all-out bad experiences. Avoiding the issue, or not finding a reasonable way to manage the problem, is how most roommates go from pleasant dislike to all-out resentment.

In conclusion, many students heading to college are still working on advocating for themselves. I get it. Newbie freshman also fear any undue attention or drama. But you must speak up for yourself, and not let problems go on for too long. Students often try to "ride it out," but if the problem does not resolve, you should be able to go to a resident dorm supervisor for help. Beyond establishing boundaries and trying to be considerate, some issues may arise that have no solution other than to seek the help of an appropriate staff member. Resident advisors, and even housing staff, are well-trained in any and all possible roommate conflicts and scenarios. They should be able to diffuse the situation or resolve it in as effective and low-key way as possible.

A final note: Most first-year roommate situations work out for the best, even if they don't result in a best friend. The trick is to anticipate common areas of friction, and stay neutral and positive in navigating them. With any luck, you won't hate each other, and may even become a pro at navigating too-close-for-comfort dynamics, or better yet how to politely say, "Dude, you reek. Go take a shower."

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10 Tips For Living With A College Roommate

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Right about now, thousands of college-bound students, including my daughter, are preparing to take their first steps on the hallowed grounds of the schools they dreamed of attending. Getting here has not been for the faint of heart, but no sooner had my daughter been admitted to one of her top colleges, she fell prey to the next high-anxiety issue: finding a roommate.

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What should I bring to college? What items will I need to take to college? CollegePackingList's college checklist has your answer! Use this tool to create a customized packing and shopping list.

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What should I bring to college? What items will I need to take to college? CollegePackingList's college checklist has your answer! Use this tool to create a customized packing and shopping list.

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This page is your go-to guide for figuring out what to bring to college in 2019. Whether you'll be living in a dorm, an apartment, or in the steam tunnels that run underneath campus, you'll find most everything you'll need here. We've put a ton of work into this packing list; we hope you'll find it helpful.

To make it easy to navigate, everything is broken down into categories. We've also marked certain items as "essential" to help you prioritize.

Most links here go to Amazon. Full disclosure: College Info Geek participates in the Amazon Associates program, and we'll earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through the links on this page (at no extra cost to you). We've worked hard to recommend items that are both high-quality and inexpensive.

Do note that you also can also buy many of these things locally, and we've put together a printable checklist that you can take to the store if you like. Click the picture to download it!

Bedding/Bed Stuff

Computer Gear

Desk and School Supplies

General Stuff

Cooking/Kitchen Supplies

Laundry Supplies

Personal Items and Toiletries

Decorations

Fun Stuff

The individual items in this category are totally, completely optional. We just thought it'd be cool to suggest some of the games and other things that work really well for bringing friends together or for relaxing after a huge study session.

Other Useful Pages:
Resources And Tools Essential Books for Students The links on this page areaffiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you). Featured image via Matt Nazario-Miller

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What to Bring to College in 2019: The Ultimate College Packing List

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This page is your go-to guide for figuring out what to bring to college in 2019. Whether you'll be living in a dorm, an apartment, or in the steam tunnels that run underneath campus, you'll find most everything you'll need here. We've put a ton of work into this packing list; we hope you'll find it helpful.

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37 Ingenious Ways To Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home

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Most college kids live in kitchen-less dorms, relying on fast food and the cafeteria for sustenance. This gets old - and unhealthy - fast.

However, most college kids also have a microwave - and little do they know that it can do more than re-heat pizza.

Mug meals are the perfect college dorm cuisine, as they're quick and easy, and require minimal cleanup.

From breakfast, entrées, to dessert, here are 9 surprisingly delicious meals from Pinterest that any college kid can make in their microwave.

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9 easy mug meals any college kid can make in a microwave

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Most college kids live in kitchen-less dorms, relying on fast food and the cafeteria for sustenance. This gets old - and unhealthy - fast. However, most college kids also have a microwave - and little do they know that it can do more than re-heat pizza.

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Are you a college student who does not have a kitchen or are you not sure how to cook using actual pots and pans? Never fear, we have got you covered with the essentials meals that every college student can make using just a microwave and a mug. No longer will you have to heat up the oven or wait for water to boil on the stove while you should be on your way to your marathon class. Hungry to find out the 15 mug recipe essentials for the busy college student? Read on.

Mac 'n Cheese is the most well-known comfort food that every college student misses when they are at school. Now, with this mug recipe, you can make your comfort food and eat it too in less than ten minutes. Want to step up the classic mac 'n cheese? Try this Pizza Mac 'n Cheese.

Ever wanted to make French toast before your 8:30 am class but you never felt like you had enough time to get ready and make a real breakfast? Well you are in luck because this French Toast mug recipe only takes two minutes and since everything can be made in one mug, you can easily use the dishwasher for clean up. Looking for a different twist on this breakfast favorite? Try Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast.

This mug recipe is one of my favorites because it only uses one mug to make it and it takes less than five minutes which is the time it would take to heat up a pan on the stove top. Not an omelet fan? Try poached eggs or scrambled eggs.

Are you lacking a fire pit and sticks or are you already counting down the days until summer vacation? We have got you covered with convenience and ease giving you a mug recipe to make s'mores. Not ready to commit to the whole s'more? Try our mug recipe for s'mores dip.

This picture may look like this cake was not made in a mug but I can assure you that it was. Don't believe me? Check out the recipe in the heading above. Are you a chocolate fanatic? Try our mug recipe for Nutella dark chocolate cake. Not a fan of dark chocolate? Try the Nutella mug cake.

Nachos in a mug? Yes, you read that correctly. Impress your friends by handing them their own mug of nachos. They are the perfect personalized party snack for the germ phobic people of the world.

Have banana's from the dining hall that have already browned before you had the chance to eat them? Never fear, you can make them into this banana nut bread. Are you more of a visual learner? Here's a video tutorial of banana bread being made. Have more of a sweet tooth? Try the mug recipe for Banana Carmel Pie. Or try this banana pancake.

Oreo cheesecake that can be made in less than ten minutes and in a mug for one? Yes please. Love anything Oreo and cheesecake flavored in general? Try these Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.

Who knew that pizza could be made in a microwave? Have you ever wanted to order pizza but you knew that the next day the pizza would not be as good? Well, this recipe allows you to make one serving of pizza without having to leave your apartment to get take out or having excess pizza. You can also follow a video tutorial on how to make this recipe here. Want to eat pizza for breakfast? Try this breakfast pizza.

I make this heart healthy meal, oatmeal, for a quick and easy lunch before a long afternoon of classes and it really helps power you through the day. Are you an oatmeal fanatic? You can try more oatmeal recipes here.

What breakfast doesn't get better by adding a baked good along side it? Satisfy your sweet tooth with these three simple muffin mug recipes including chocolate peanut butter, apple cinnamon, and blackberry crumble. Looking to use your oven? Try these blueberry oatmeal flaxseed muffins.

Baking is one of the best study breaks you can take (this recipe only takes six minutes) and with this recipe, who could resist a personalized chocolate chip cookie? You can even add a scoop of ice cream on top to step up your dessert game. Looking for a healthier version of this cookie? Try this chocolate chip cookie ball recipe.

Can't wait in line at Starbucks or Dunkin' before your first class? We've got your coffee fix covered with this coffee cake recipe that you can make in only five minutes in a mug. Looking for another replacement for your cup(s) of coffee? Try these Chocolate Mocha Pancakes.

This recipe will take you back to your childhood and you won't believe how much easier and quicker it is to make it in the microwave. You can check out the recipe here. Reminiscing about your childhood? Keep dreaming with these exotic takes on the classic Rice Krispy cereal here.

A mug recipe for brownies? Just add ice cream and you have the perfect brownie sundae all in one mug. This mug recipe also creates less of a mess to clean up using just a mug that can easily be put in the dishwasher. Like the idea of having a brownie in a mug? Try making a brownie parfait.

Now that you have a complete list of the mug recipe essentials, you should not feel overwhelmed next time you have 5-10 minutes to make a meal.

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15 Mug Recipes Essential for Every College Student

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Are you a college student who does not have a kitchen or are you not sure how to cook using actual pots and pans? Never fear, we have got you covered with the essentials meals that every college student can make using just a microwave and a mug.

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Maybe you're a first-year student who can't wait to get out of your parents' house.

Either way, a college student's gotta eat. And trust me, after a couple of months, that meal plan situation gets old. Yes, even if the lady at the omelette station is really, really nice.

Your College Diet Doesn't Have to Be Awful... or Expensive

You're probably going to spend some money on those kinds of places - you do need sort of social life, after all - but you stand to save a huge chunk of cash, both in college and "the real world," if you learn to cook.

And no, your humble dorm room living status is no excuse.

How to Save Money in College - By Eating in Your Dorm

To help you start acquiring this way-more-useful-than-calculus skill, we've assembled 16 recipes perfect for college students, no matter what you're in the mood for. Because, let's be real - you're as likely to need food at 4 a.m. as you are at dinner time.
For the purposes of this post, we'll assume you have access to a microwave and a mini-fridge only.
Well, and a mug. As you'll soon see, mugs feature prominently in dorm-room-friendly recipes for one.

The microwave is also a surprisingly versatile culinary tool. You can even poach an egg, steam vegetables or cook grains like quinoa in your microwave.

You can make each meal on the list in 10 minutes or a lot less, and each costs $5 or a lot less. Plus, most of the recipes are make a perfect serving size for just one. Talk about convenient!

Oh, and another important qualifier? None of them are ramen. Goodness knows you know that's an option, and it's not a terribly good one.

Estimated ingredient prices come from the cheapest easily-Googleable version of each item we could find.

So if you're frugally grocery shopping and hitting places like - rather than Whole Foods - they should be accurate no matter where you're going to school... with a few notable exceptions. I'm looking at you, New York and San Francisco.

Best of all? They all look awesome. As in, seriously, I will make some of these for myself even though my college days are further behind me than I'd like to admit.

Hungry yet? Here's what we found.

The best thing about breakfast is you can have it any time of day - especially since you're on your own and mom's not around to give you side-eye for your frozen waffle dinner.

With these recipes, you'll probably never want to hit your dining hall's breakfast buffet again.

For the purposes of this post, we'll assume you're buying conventional eggs, since you're in college...

1. Two-Minute Scrambled Eggs

That's right: You can have the go-to quick breakfast mom slaps together on the stove at home, even if there's not a hot plate in sight.

Not only is it easy, it's super cheap:

2 eggs: 30 cents 2 tablespoons milk: 10 cents (based on the pricier pint-sized version, since we'll assume you can't fit the more cost-effective gallon in your mini fridge, especially when you totally need room for beer. By the way, the milk is totally optional; if you don't have any, just beat your eggs extra-well.) 2 tablespoons shredded cheese: 50 cents Seasoning to taste: 10 cents, as long as you don't get fresh herbs!
Total price: $1
2. Microwave Breakfast Cookie in a Mug

Bigger Bolder Baking 's Gemma brings us this gem (sorry) of a recipe.

It's a cookie. For . Because you're an adult now, and you get to make that decision if you want to.

Plus, it's pretty healthy - and cost-effective:

1/2 medium banana: 10 cents (based on Trader Joe's 19-cent single bananas ) 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter: 9 cents 1/2 tablespoon honey (or agave): 20 cents 1 tablespoon milk: 5 cents 4 tablespoons oats (rolled or quick oats): 44 cents 1 tablespoon raisins (seeds or nuts): 20 cents (or more, if you choose nuts or fancier dried fruit)
Total price: $1.08
3. Two-Minute French Toast in a Cup

Most important thing you'll learn today, no matter what classes you've got: You can make French toast.

"I prefer my French toast soft-ish," she writes, "but if you like a little crunch go for a baguette. It truly does not matter. An old croissant. A nutty multigrain. A pile of tortillas might even work."

So what are you waiting for? Cost certainly shouldn't be a factor:

1-2 slices white bread (or whatever you have around): 10-25 cents
1/2 tablespoon butter: 6 cents
1 egg: 15 cents
2 tablespoons milk: 5 cents
Sprinkle of cinnamon (optional): 2 cents
Drop of vanilla extract (optional): 3 cents
Total price: 41-87 cents
With a price that low, you have tons of money leftover to splurge on delicious maple syrup to drench it in. Mmm.

4. Spinach and Cheddar Quiche in a Mug

I. Love. Quiche.

I mean, to be completely honest, who doesn't love quiche? It's an egg pie, and although it's more breakfast than lunch, it's completely acceptable any time of day.
Total price: $2.46
Seriously, quiche is versatile. Here's Full Thyme Student 's mug quiche, complete with bread crust and grape tomatoes and still costs just over a buck if you skip the fresh herbs. Yum!

5. Avocado Toast, You Guys

If you've been within 10 feet of any Instagram account on the planet, you probably know avocado toast is *so in* right now.

And why not? Creamy avocado on crunchy toast, and with endless possibilities for further toppings? We're pretty much talking about the perfect food, here.

Also, it's cheap. Let's start with the basics:

1 slice good bread: 20 cents, tops
1/2 hass avocado: 75 cents

Then, you've got your topping options: You might add an egg (15 cents), some shredded cheese: (about 25 cents per tablespoon), some salsa (about 22 cents per ounce). The base recipe is less than a dollar, so feel free to go nuts on your toppings. Fresh veggies! BACON!
Total price: 95 cents or more... but it would take a lot of doing to make a $5 piece of avocado toast.
Technically, this list item breaks the microwave rule because it's likely on your dorm floor has a toaster. Even if not, they're cheap ... usually, anyway. But apparently some folks will for a really, really good one.

Lunch and Dinner

Feeling egged out, for once? These meals will satisfy cravings you might otherwise end up splurging on - any time of day.

6. Pizza Mug Cake

So, this is a thing.
Cost per mug: $1.72
Fitness Treats has a great list of savory mug cakes, and pizza is on the list. And now I'm going to allow myself to eat pizza basically every day forever.

3 tablespoons 1 egg: 15 cents1 tablespoon mozzarella: 25 cents kamut flour : 33 cents (but you could probably use regular all-purpose flour, which would bring this down to just 7 cents) 1 tablespoon olive oil: 13 cents
1 tablespoon tomato paste: 10 cents 1 tablespoon black olives: 50 cents 1/4 teaspoon baking powder: 1 cent Basil and oregano to taste: optional, but if dried, not more than 25 cents

Cheap, healthy pizza always within reach? I didn't even know college got this good.

7. Mug Mac and Cheese

So you may be wondering - what's the point? Has the author never encountered the ubiquitous blue box, with a college campus presence eclipsed only by red Solo cups?

She has. And she says: You can do better, college students. And it won't cost much more.
Total cost: $2.31
Made by Monique assembles this super-simple recipe to seriously upgrade your mac and cheese experience.

1 cup water: $0 1/2 cup elbow macaroni: 31 cents 1/2 cup cheeses of choice: $2.00

Kraft mac and cheese is about 90 cents per serving, so this is definitely a step up... but trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

8. Five-Minute Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

Healthy Liv 's got the right idea about skipping the line - and the price tag - at with this make-at-home burrito bowl.

Play your cards right, and the whole meal will cost only a little more than what you'd pay for your side of guacamole.

1 cup brown rice: $1.06 - if you use the frozen, pre-cooked Trader Joe's brown rice from as Liv suggests. You can also make regular (much cheaper) brown rice in the microwave , although it'll take significantly longer than five minutes - try 30! Then again, one of the best parts of living in a dorm is that you're not paying your own electricity yet, so... 1/2 cup black beans: 58 cents 2-3 tablespoons salsa, or to taste: 22 cents 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt: 9 cents - or sub sour cream for 7 cents 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese: 25 cents Diced avocado (optional): $1.25 for a WHOLE avocado

Total price: $3.45 - better than the $8-$10 I somehow always end up paying at everyone's favorite burrito joint!

Sides and Snacks

Need a quick holdover between big meals? Just craving mashed potatoes? This is the section for you.

9. Corn Mug Muffins

You know what's comforting when you're facing finals week? Heck, you know what's comforting when you're facing down the fact Monday keeps happening no matter what you do?
Total price: $4.13, or $2.06 per serving - and less if you keep it vegetarian
Corn bread. Corn bread fixes a of problems. And you can whip some up fresh in no time flat.

Cooking spray: 3 cents
1 package corn muffin mix: $1.97
3 to 4 pickled jalapeño rings: 5 cents
4 microwavable pre-cooked frozen sausages (optional): $1.99
maple syrup to taste: 13 cents

10. Spinach and Feta Mashed Potatoes
Total post: $4.79, or 80 cents per serving
Basically, the fact you can cook potatoes in the microwave is a serious college game-changer.

I mean, she even priced it all out already - how much happier can a Penny Hoarder get?
Total price: $1.53
11. Loaded Baked Potato

Large russet potato: 38 cents if you go ahead and buy a 5-pound bag - and why not?
1/2 tablespoon olive oil: 7 cents
1 tablespoon butter: 16 cents
3 tablespoons shredded cheese of choice: 75 cents
1 tablespoon sour cream: 7 cents
sea salt: 5 cents
pepper: 5 cents

Other options: bacon (about 45 cents per slice), canned chili (about 14 cents per ounce), salsa (about 22 cents per ounce). Your imagination is the only limit to how you prepare this starchy treat.

12. Microwave Kale Chips

"Cheap" and "healthy" don't have to be mutually exclusive. And kale chips are one of the very tastiest ways to get this superfood into your system.
Total price: $2.67-$2.80 for an amount you'll totally want to share with a friend
Andrea at Five Months Fat brings this super-simple and delicious recipe for kale chips to the table - you can make them in the microwave! What?

1 bunch kale: $2.49
1-2 tablespoon olive oil: 13-26 cents
sea salt: 5 cents

You could also microwave potato chips for about the same price or slightly cheaper - but without a mandolin, kale's easier healthier, so you have no excuse!

Sometimes, you've gotta let your sweet tooth win... especially when you're studying.

13. Overnight Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
Total price: $2.70-$3.09, or 68-77 cents per serving
Although this one takes a little forethought, it looks delicious - and crazy good for you!

Plus, the recipe makes four servings, so you can feed your suitemates, too. Check it out!
Total price: $1.06, plus mix-ins
14. Cheesecake in a Mug

Let me come clean: Cheesecake is my favorite non-ice cream dessert, and a cobbled-together, microwave version of this immaculate confection makes me... nervous.
Total price: 60 cents
15. Healthier Chocolate Mug Cake

The one single-serving food I've been familiar with almost forever is the chocolate mug cake. It's perfect for those moments when you're for something dense and chocolatey, but don't have time to run to the store.

That's one affordable sweet-tooth satisfier!

More Ways to Save on College Eats

Although these recipes are sure to keep you busy and full for a while, you can't eat everything out of a mug.
Your Turn: Which of these recipes are you going to go make RIGHT NOW? Disclosure: A toast to savings! Thanks for allowing us to place affiliate links in this post. Jamie Cattanach is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Her writing has also been featured at The Write Life, Word Riot, Nashville Review and elsewhere. Find @JamieCattanach on Twitter to wave hello.
And if you've just got to go out to eat (and drink), you can still be a savvy spender. Here are 25 ways to save money eating out - and next time you head to the bar.

Cheers - and bon appetite!

The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here's why you can trust us and how we make money.

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Maybe you're a first-year student who can't wait to get out of your parents' house. Either way, a college student's gotta eat. And trust me, after a couple of months, that meal plan situation gets old. Yes, even if the lady at the omelette station is really, really nice.

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These 5-star recipes don't require a ton of kitchen gear. And they're quick and easy, so you can get back to the books. Or whatever.

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Bowling Green What to Bring/Not to Bring

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Bowling Green What to Bring/Not to Bring

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Wood Furniture must either be constructed with pretreated lumber or must be coated with fire retardant. Pretreated lumber will be stamped. Look for one or more of these identifiers:

Class A ASTM

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 17PO

Fire retardant paints and varnishes will list one or more of these standards: ASTM-E 84, NFPA 701, or UL 723. Be sure to get a paint or varnish that is fire retardant, not "heat resistant".

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all rooms are furnished with Two loftable, extra-long twin beds (80" x 36") Two closets or wardrobes Two desks with chairs Two dressers Two wastebaskets Computer connection One analog telephone line - Request only. Fee applies. Most rooms are carpeted Window blinds BGTV Connection What to pack On Move-In Day, you will find a space waiting for your personal touch!

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Packing List/What Not To Bring | Wittenberg University

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Click Here for Packing List Download Items NOT permitted in any campus housing: Hoverboards of any kind Candles, incense, plug-in air fresheners, oil lamps, oil or wax warmers, or any item with an open flame Triple/quad sockets, plug multipliers, or power strips; extension cords that are not UL approved or have visible signs of fraying or breakage Appliances over 120 volts AC, 60 cycles, 200 watts, or 2 amps Halogen, oil, lava, or sun/heat lamps

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What to Bring and What Not to Bring | Residence Life and Housing | Wright State University

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What to Bring Towels, Extra-long twin size sheets (mattress size 36"x80") Mattress pad or cover, pillows, and comforter/bedspread Rugs, Bath mat Desk lamp, Power strip Television, Computer, Charging cords Wastebasket, Trash bags, Hangers, Hamper, Laundry soap Toiletries (shampoo, soap, razor, toilet paper, etc.)