15 Dorm Room Cooking Hacks to Save You From the Dining Hall

Not every dorm room has a spare iron laying around, but if you happen to have one, flatiron grilled cheese is totally a thing (with extreme caution). Prepare your sandwich the way you normally would and butter both sides, then wrap the whole thing in aluminum foil. Lay the iron flat on both sides for four minutes each, and voila, it's grilled cheese. (Or a panini or basically any hot sandwich you want.) Just be sure to wait a few minutes for the foil to cool before you unwrap and enjoy.

Microwave mac and cheese is pretty simple: make sure the waterline is above the pasta and cook for about three minutes longer than the box's instructions. The key is using a large, deep bowl, because the water will almost definitely boil over if you don't. If all you have is a small bowl, just layer some paper towels underneath to minimize cleanup. The bowl will be HOT, so either use a potholder or wait 10 minutes to remove from the microwave. Strain and add the cheese packet or some cheddar and a splash of milk if you're feeling crafty.

You know that little freezer compartment that's pretty much good for nothing except melting your frozen food and freezing your refrigerated food? Stick a couple plastic bottles of juice in there and wait for them to half-freeze. Then you can scrape out the slush and mix it with any other beverage of your choice, if you should so desire.

Again, nothing wrong with a little ramen here and there, but a cup of noodles is not a sustainable food source. If it's all you have on hand or you're just in the mood to splurge (metaphorically), amp it up a little. Replace the MSG-loaded flavor packet with some of your own spices. Lots of frozen veggies can be steamed in the microwave without even opening the bag, and adding some greens can turn a bowl of empty calories into something that more closely resembles a meal.

This meal is perfect if you don't have a way to make a hot breakfast, and/or if you're allergic to mornings. There are a ton of recipes you can try, and almost all of them can be altered and made vegan. Just mix all your ingredients in a jar the night before, stick it in the fridge, and you'll have breakfast waiting for you when you wake up.

A good hard-shell taco is notoriously messier than the average dorm room can handle, both in terms of prep and actual consumption. Taco in a bag offers a beautiful, portable, mess-free solution. Just throw all your favorite taco fixings in a bag of Doritos or tortilla chips and shake, then grab a fork and enjoy.

Not every dorm allows candles (or any form of open flame), but if you can use one without breaking any rules, they make for some of the best campfire desserts around. Stick a marshmallow on the end of a fork and toast to your heart's content.

A fondue pot is definitely on the more extravagant side as far as dorm room cooking goes, but a good electric one can be great for study parties. Have everyone bring some bread and fruit for dipping and host a literal cheesy or chocolatey potluck. Trust me, you'll make friends in no time.

Not only is it cheaper to make your own popcorn, but it's healthier and tastes better, too. Plus, it's super easy — all you need is a paper bag, some popcorn kernels, and butter. You might need to play around with the amount of kernels that work for your microwave, but the general rule of thumb is 1/4 cup for about two and a half minutes, or until three seconds passes between each pop. Drizzle some melted butter on top and you're good to go.

Lots of delicious foods can be made without a heat source at all. From Rice Krispies Treats to edible cookie dough, there are tons of no-bake desserts that you can whip up in your dorm room without a single fire hazard.

Don't have the space for a microwave? Fear not. Coffee pots are super affordable and boil water unreasonably fast. You'll need to clean it regularly if you intend to make actual coffee in it, too, but either way, it's perfectly capable of cooking spaghetti to perfection.

If you prefer to eat breakfast in bed but don't want to live on cereal for four years, microwave scrambled eggs can be a great protein-packed meal from the comfort of your own room. Just beat your eggs in a bowl with a little milk, salt and pepper, then microwave on 45-second intervals until they're done, mixing in between. Add some cheese and veggies if you're really feeling like a master chef.

Again, is there really anything you can't make in a microwave? Rinse and dry a whole potato, then give it a few good stabs with a fork. Then just stick it on a plate and microwave for about seven minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Load it up with sour cream, butter, salt, or bacon (or any combination thereof), or mash it up with milk and butter for some homemade mashed potatoes.

Yes, it's totally possible to bake in a microwave, too. It's crazy easy to make just one brownie or chocolate chip cookie to satisfy your craving instead of committing to a tray of two dozen. Plus, making fresh, single-serving desserts massively cuts down on waste, because these recipes won't leave you with a tray of baked goods that go stale faster than you can eat them. Check out this recipe to get started.

Picking up a small plant from the supermarket can go a long way throughout your college culinary experience. So long as you can keep it alive, a mint or basil plant can make great additions in your pasta, eggs, or ramen endeavors.