I love to cook, and I know you do too! Cooking in college can be complicated. On top of work and school, it is hard to find the time. Plus, my college kitchen and I are not always best friends. I am going to share with you three easy college kitchen staples that keep me happy and full!
Also, I have a full kitchen and car in my off-campus apartment, so getting ingredients and cooking whatever I please is easy. I acknowledge that not everyone can do that, so some of these meals are microwave-only!
Mini Chicken Nugget Tacos
This sounds crazy, but it is so good.
Start by cooking your chicken nuggets however you need to. I had dino nuggets and put them in the microwave for a few minutes. Next, take two mini tortillas and put them in the microwave to soften them.
On the plate, put two or three (maybe one if you have dino nuggets like me) in each mini tortilla. Add shredded cheese on top and put it in the microwave until melted.
I like to add ranch, but you can add any condiment on top! Lettuce would also be a good addition if you have it.
This is a super simple meal I like to eat for lunch or a quick dinner before going to a club meeting. It tastes better than it looks.
Cheese Tortellini in Marinara with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Chicken Sausage
The mini cheese tortellini from Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite things to get when I go grocery shopping. I was tired of it being so simple, so I added things to improve it and make it healthier.
Boil the cheese tortellini and strain it when done. Make sure you save some of the pasta water!
While the tortellini is boiling, sauté the mushrooms with butter, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Wait a few minutes before adding cut-up chicken sausage. I used garlic and herb chicken sausage, but any kind would taste just fine.
After the sausage pieces are crisped up, add the spinach.
With the cheese tortellini in the pot, add marinara sauce and the sautéed extras.
I love this meal on a rainy day with a movie on the couch. It’s comforting and delicious. Another easy college kitchen staple.
Microwave Rice Bowl with Chicken and Veggies
I am obsessed with rice bowls of any kind. I found 90-second microwave rice packets with multiple different flavor options at Target.
This bowl features white rice, chicken, avocado, and a microwave vegetable mix.
For the chicken, you can use chicken nuggets if you have to! I had chicken thighs I cut up and baked.
Target and Aldi have microwaveable fajita chicken that could last a few days for different meals.
The vegetable mix I had consisted of fajita peppers. I often see Mediterranean-style vegetable mixes that are also microwaveable.
After heating the rice, chicken, and veggies, I put the rice in a bowl. I placed the chicken and veggies on top of it. I cut up avocado for the “cherry on top,” and it was done!
You can spice it up by adding spicy mayo or even sour cream, which would be good, too.
There are so many varieties to choose from when it comes to making your own rice bowl. This makes it one of my favorite meals to make.
Have easy college recipes you want to share? Send us a DM, and we will share it on Instagram!