Tips, tricks and recipes to help you concoct convenient dorm meals
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
There’s a special kind of despair that comes from staring down yet another dining hall dinner of chicken and rice or a lukewarm slice of pizza. Some college students spend their time debating the pros and cons of each dining center, but ultimately, the truth is that these meals can become tiring after a while.
DoorDash and late-night Marshall Street options are solid alternatives, but those who are balling on a budget have to make the most of what they’ve got. After a few weeks, many students begin looking for a way out; some turn to microwavable meals or makeshift cutting boards on their dorm room desks.
At Syracuse University, dining hall menus rotate, but many of the stations have the same options. I’m not a picky eater, but there are only so many times I can eat the same meal. The night I had microwave popcorn instead of dinner, I knew it was time to hunt around for other options.
For students with dining hall plans or ones that like cooking with simple recipes, The Daily Orange has a solution for you.
Don’t have a car and don’t want to Instacart
It’s okay, we’ve all been there. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get creative with dining hall ingredients in your dorm room.
Overnight Oats
½ packet brown sugar oatmeal
½ packet plain oatmeal
⅓ dining hall mug of milk
⅓ dining hall mug of yogurt
Pinch of shredded coconut
Handful of whatever fruit or other toppings are available
Simple, but delicious. This tends to work best if you have easy access to dining halls like Sadler and Graham, because they have more ingredients available throughout the day, but this recipe can work anywhere.
Overnight oats take about five minutes to prep and stay fresh for several days. They’re also easily customizable — I once had a friend make me five different types, one for each morning of the school week. The one catch: you’re going to need a container to store them in. I used mason jars from Target that cost around $2 each.
It’s also easy to just grab the premade oatmeal packets from the dining hall and take them up to your room — all you need is a microwave and it’s oats-o’clock.
Yogurt or acai bowls
Scoops of acai or yogurt
Fruit from the salad bar
Handful of granola
A drizzle of honey (can be found at the tea station)
A yogurt bowl is a personal favorite of mine — it’s healthy while still being filling and tasting like dessert. Plus, SU splurges on Chobani, so you’re getting the good stuff.
Have grocery access but only a fridge and microwave
Congratulations — the world is your oyster. If you’re willing to spend a little extra money on groceries, your options are almost endless. All it takes is a microwave and a dream. I didn’t level up to this stage until sophomore year, but it really saved my 2 a.m. snack quests.
College classics: microwavable noodles
The first “recipe” is the easiest: instant ramen and mac-and-cheese cups. These are classics for a reason. You may look down on them now, but they take five minutes to make, they’re cheap, filling and they’re always waiting for you after a long night out.
Many people I know would probably choose ramen over a mediocre dining hall dinner, and they all had different ways of elevating their instant ramen recipe. Some people like to drain the water and add cheese and an egg. Others go for some leafy greens, peanut butter and soy sauce to bring the ramen to the next level.
Eggs à la microwave
2 eggs
1 tablespoon milk
Pinch of salt
Shredded cheese, hot sauce or leftover veggies, to taste
You don’t know true desperation until you’ve stooped to microwave eggs. But they taste exactly like ones made in a pan, and don’t come from a bag like the ones in the dining halls.
Crack two eggs into a microwave-safe mug with a tablespoon of milk and a pinch of salt, then whisk with a fork. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then microwave in 15-second intervals until just set — usually another 30 to 45 seconds total.
Hot dogs
1 hot dog
1 bun from the dining hall
Condiments of choice (I prefer just ketchup and mustard, but to each their own)
During my freshman year, two roommates in my dorm made a hot dog restaurant out of their dorm room. They were very successful until they were shut down by the residence hall — do with that information what you will. But there are ways to make these safely while following the rules.
Wrap one hot dog in a damp paper towel to keep the microwave from turning into a grease explosion, and microwave for 45 seconds.
Burrito bowls
1 pouch of microwaveable rice
½ cup canned beans
¼ cup shredded chicken or precooked meat
2 tablespoons salsa or hot sauce
A small handful of shredded cheese
Many of these ingredients can be taken straight from the dining hall — if you have a meal plan — but you can also buy them yourself to make a bowl on demand.
Microwave the rice first, then add the other ingredients. Put them in for two minutes, stir, and microwave for another minute if needed. It all comes together in under five minutes and reheats well for leftovers.
Upscale microwavable meals
If you’re really missing your kitchen, there are a few Martha Stewart-worthy meals that can be made with just a microwave. Whether you’re craving a warm, home-cooked meal or have some time on your hands, there are options that can make your microwave feel like a stovetop.
Quesadillas
1 large tortilla
¼ cup shredded cheese
3 tablespoons filling — shredded chicken, black beans or leftover veggies
My personal favorite. While you’ll never be able to top Falk Cafe’s chicken quesadillas, you can try to recreate them from your dorm room. Fold the tortilla in half once the filling is added, and cook until both sides are golden and crisp. Microwave until the cheese is nice and melted.
Pancakes
1 cup pancake mix
¾ cup water or milk, or as directed on the box
2 tablespoons chocolate chips or ½ sliced banana, per batch
Follow the ratio on the box, then dress it up with mix-ins from the dining hall if you’re feeling fancy. Microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds until risen and firm on top. For an extra boost of flavor, add toppings like chocolate chips or bananas to the mix.
Vodka penne
2 ounces dry penne
⅓ cup jarred vodka sauce, or make your own using tomato sauce, vodka and heavy cream
1 tablespoon milk or cream
1 tablespoon grated parmesan
A pinch of red pepper flakes
My best friend’s favorite recipe. When the dining hall was picked over or had no good options, we could always rely on this for dinner. Microwave the pasta (yes, you can actually microwave pasta) with water until al dente. Then, warm the vodka sauce with the milk and red pepper flakes. Toss the drained pasta into the sauce and top with parmesan, letting it melt in before serving.
Editor’s recommendation:
Whether you believe it or not, the possibilities are endless. You don’t have to live on South Campus or be an upperclassman to enjoy some good home cooking. But don’t forget: be a responsible chef, clean up after yourself in common areas and maybe keep a fire extinguisher around, just in case.
