College dorms are not known for their culinary setup. Aside from lacking a kitchen, there is hardly any space to store food or a budget to afford the good stuff. 

     College students, in a nutshell, are forced to live off Ramen Noodles and uncooked Poptarts. And the ‘Freshman 15’ is not a myth but a predetermined future, right?

Wrong.

So wrong.

     I am here to tell you that you do not need a meal plan to eat well in a dorm. If you do prefer a meal plan, you can stray from your meal plan every now and again and enjoy some pretty darn good home cooking from your tiny little shared space.

     Here are a few practical meals you can cook in your pajamas between studying for exams and watching Netflix. Equip your room with a few essential gadgets and a simple grocery list, and you will be feasting like dorm royalty!

Fancy Avocado Toast 

     While this recipe can get pricey (and feel a tad bougie), there's something about the combination of crunchy bread, creamy avocado, and salty toppings that really get our mouth-watering! Plus, this is about as simple as it gets to make! And the benefits of healthy fat and add-ons make this a staple for dorm cooking. It is perfect for breakfast, but can also be bulked up and eaten as a lunch or dinner if the craving is there.

Shopping List:

• Avocados
• Bread

Gadgets:

• Toaster

Possible Toppings

• Eggs (hard-boiled, or any style)
• Everything But the Bagel seasoning
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Salt and Pepper
• Olive oil drizzle

Splurge

• Cheese (Feta or Mozzarella are great choices)
• Greens or sprouts

Directions: 

     There is no right or wrong way to make Fancy Avocado Toast here. You really only need bread and avocado–anything else is just extra! It’s kind of like an ice cream sundae, in that the more toppings, the yummier! Consider what you have on hand, what you can easily shop for, and what is within the budget. Don’t have a toaster? Crunchy French bread or sourdough will do the trick.

My favorite combination: Smashed avocado on sourdough toast, topped with sliced, hardboiled egg, cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of EBTB seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil. 

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Rice/Quinoa Bowls

Here is another healthy option that's great to share with roommates because there are usually plenty of leftovers. Invite everyone to bring one topping and have a “Rice Bowl Party”. The best part is that there’s no recipe to follow. Just make your rice and add whatever you like! 

Shopping list:

• Rice or Quinoa

Gadgets:

• Electric hot pot

Possible Toppings:

• Corn (canned or frozen)
• Black beans
• Nuts or seeds
• Assortment of fresh or frozen veggies
• Salad dressing or sauce (hot/soy)

Splurge:

• Edamame (fresh or frozen)
• Protein (steak or chicken)
• Avocado
• Herbs/Spices

Directions:

     Choose your rice or quinoa. Wash it first then cook it in your electric hot pot or buy the microwaveable kind. Determine which toppings you will have on hand and what you need to buy. Rice and canned veggies (or frozen if you have the space), nuts, and salad dressings or sauce are easy to store and have on hand so you don’t always need to plan ahead when making this one. Fresh ingredients to consider buying a day or two before might be greens, tomatoes, or other fresh veggies, and a protein such as pre-cooked chicken or steak.

My favorite combination: Quinoa, canned corn, black beans, diced tomato and/or pepper, sliced almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I love adding feta and chunks of avocado if I’m feeling extra spendy!

Loaded Potatoes

     Baked potatoes were a regular dinner item for me growing up. Potatoes are a comfort food yet it's easy to make a loaded potato healthy (and just as easy to make it unhealthy). Potatoes store well in a cool, dark spot for a while so you can plan this one far ahead and not worry about having fresh ingredients on hand. Like the other recipes before, there's not a set recipe to follow. Just start with your favorite potato and customize it to your liking. 

Shopping list:

• Potatoes (any variety)

Gadgets:

• Microwave

Possible Toppings:

• Butter
• Black Beans
• Frozen Veggies
• Salt and Pepper
• Salsa

Splurge:

• Sour Cream
• Bacon pieces

Directions:

     Choose your favorite potato: red, russet, yellow, sweet, or any of the varieties out there. Wash it well (they are, after all, grown in dirt). Poke a few holes in it. I like to wrap it in a wet paper towel before microwaving it to trap some moisture and prevent it from drying out. Most potatoes will cook in the microwave for about ten minutes depending on the size but check every five minutes or so. Once the potato is soft and can easily be squeezed with your fingers, it's probably done. Just cut into it and test it out.

     Once cooked, you can add your toppings. I like to start with a pad of butter, then add whichever toppings are available. Beans are great for protein. Frozen veggies are an easy add-on and make a super healthy meal. 

My favorite combination: Sweet potato, butter, frozen broccoli, Himalayan salt, and a dollop of sour cream.

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Smoothie Bowls

     Good nutrition can be hard to come by in a dorm. It is easy to grab a pre-packaged breakfast bar and head to class. Smoothies, while they often sound great, can be a lot of work. But they really don't have to be. A lot of grocery stores sell pre-portioned smoothie mixes in individual bags. This can eliminate the need to store fresh fruit and the mess that comes with cutting and preparing it. Have a few bags stored in your freezer and whip up a delicious smoothie before class. Go a step further to pack in even more nutrients and bulk up your breakfast by adding some easy toppings (and a spoon!) and you will start your day off strong.  

Shopping list:

• Portioned frozen smoothie packets
• Milk or juice
• Yogurt

Gadgets:

• Blender

Possible Toppings:

• Almond or peanut butter
• Granola
• Seeds or nuts

Splurge:

• Fresh fruit
• coconut flakes
• Dark chocolate chips

Directions:

     Head over to the frozen fruit aisle at your local grocery store. Next to the frozen fruit, you will see smoothie packets, already pre-portioned for you. Pick the flavor that sounds tastiest. This one is my favorite because of the lime and mint (and the price is pretty great too). Keep these packets on hand in your freezer, and when you’re ready, blend the mix with water, juice, or milk. Ice isn't necessary because the fruit is already frozen. Once your smoothie is ready, dump it all into a bowl and add your toppings of choice. While fresh fruit is nice to add, it's not always readily available. Have some toppings that are easy to store and don't spoil such as almond butter, granola, seeds, nuts, or even yogurt. Then grab a spoon and dive in. 

My favorite combination: Banana mango berry smoothie pack, orange juice blended, topped with granola, slivered almonds, and dark chocolate chips. Fresh strawberries or sliced bananas are a refreshing add-on, if available. 

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A Spin on Traditional Tuna

They say there is no such thing as too much tuna and this has never been more true than when living in a dorm! Tuna is an easy meal because it is inexpensive, stores well for a long time, and doesn't take up much space. It's nice to have canned tuna on hand when you are in a food rut because it can be prepared in many different ways. It can be eaten cold, warmed with melted cheese, stuffed with condiments, between some crunchy bread, or stuffed into a delicious wrap. There are endless ways to make tuna a satisfying dorm meal.   

Shopping list:

• Canned tuna
• Bread or wraps
• Mayo

Gadgets:

• Can opener
• Toaster (optional)

Possible Toppings:

• Relish or pickles
• Hots or pickled veggies
• Salt and Pepper
• Cheese

Splurge:

• Avocado
• Fresh lettuce
• Celery or red onion

Directions-

     This one does not require a lot of direction and chances are you know how to make canned tuna. But do you know how to make your canned tuna a mouthwatering meal? Drain your tuna first and mix it with the right amount of mayo that you desire. Add some salt and pepper if you like a little extra flavor. Then add your toppings! Diced veggies like celery and onion can give it the right amount of crunch. A spoonful of relish adds a cool punch of tanginess. If you like adding pickles to your tuna, try relish or a pickled veggie like peppers as an alternative. Then dump it onto some soft bread or squeeze it into a wrap. Not feeling like a traditional sandwich? Scoop your mixture with crunchy crackers instead. If you prefer a warm dish, toast your bread first, then let a slice of cheese melt on top before adding your tuna. The crunchy bread, combined with warm cheese and cold tuna, makes the perfect comfort meal.

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My favorite combination: Solid white albacore in water, drained and mixed with mayo. Add a spoonful of relish into the mix and picked red peppers or mild pepperoncini rings. Toast two slices of sourdough bread and add a slice of provolone cheese on one side. Wait a minute until melted then top with tuna mixture. Top with bib or iceberg lettuce. 

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Are you getting hungry yet? I hope so! These meals, while simple, are mouthwatering at any time of day and will conquer those cravings in no time. You don't have to live with your parents to eat well. With a little preparation and a few handy gadgets, you can prepare some amazing meals in your small space. Which of these dorm meals do you plan on trying first? 

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