With these microwave recipe for college students, the student in your life can spend more time hitting the books and less worrying about where their next snack is coming from.
23 Microwave Recipes Your College Kid Can Make
Updated on May 27, 2024
1/23
Greek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls
Total Time
12 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It is short on ingredients but packs in so much flavor. For a hand-held version, leave out the rice and tuck the rest of the ingredients into a pita pocket. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 433 calories, 25g fat (4g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 1355mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein.
2/23
Microwave Egg Sandwich
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for a grab-and-go breakfast for busy days, this high-protein sandwich is low in fat and keeps me full all morning. Plus, it's only about 200 calories! —Brenda Otto, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 218 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 751mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.
3/23
Cheesy Snack Mix
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-1/2 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
Our love for Mexican food inspired me to make party mix with taco seasoning. The flavor is so mild that it's even kid friendly. —Elizabeth Wynne, Aztec, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 151 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 362mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
4/23
Asian Chicken Dinner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick microwave dish for two is perfect for a busy day. Soy sauce and chicken broth bring out flavors of the chicken and veggies. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 356 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
5/23
Microwave Pickles
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can enjoy a small batch of these sweet crunchy pickles anytime without the work of traditional canning methods. They're loaded with flavor and so easy to make. —Marie Wladyka, Land O'Lakes, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 115 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 395mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
6/23
Striped Chocolate Popcorn
Total Time
15 min
Servings
17 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
For a bake sale last year, I wanted to try something different. I’d seen chocolate popcorn in a candy shop and thought I’d try making it. This recipe was a great success. —Mary Schmittinger, Colgate, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 177 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
7/23
Mexican Leek Soup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup is so satisfying. You can substitute other beans, use kale instead of spinach or add leftover corn. For brunch, I add a fried egg on top. For dinner, my husband adds lots of hot sauce! —Donna Ahnert, Scotia, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 641 calories, 34g fat (19g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1240mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 11g fiber), 34g protein.
8/23
Pumpkin Cream of Wheat
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
This autumn-inspired breakfast tastes like pumpkin pie—without the guilt! Double the recipe if you feel like sharing. —Amy Bashtovoi, Sidney, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 314 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
9/23
Breakfast Potatoes
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These cheesy potatoes are a super morning side dish. I prepare them often for my husband and myself. They go great with just about any breakfast main dish. —Judy Dupree, Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 180 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
10/23
Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Wondering what to do with all those pumpkin seeds guests will be scooping out at your pumpkin-carving party? This yummy, microwave-easy recipe is the answer! Save some for yourself before they're gone! —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 87 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
11/23
Pizza Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
24 servings (about 3 cups)
From the Recipe Creator:
You can assemble this easy appetizer in a jiffy. The pizza dip goes very fast, so you may want to make two batches. —Stacie Morse, South Otselic, New York
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 62 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 144mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
12/23
15-Minute Meat Loaf
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined a few awesome-tasting meat loaf recipes to create this flavorful version, which my husband loves. And because it's made in the microwave, the entree is ideal for busy nights. —Deb Thompson, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 386 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 954mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
13/23
Coconut Acorn Squash
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Save yourself some time in the kitchen and toss the squash in the microwave for a quick dish. Sometimes squash can be a bit tasteless, so I conquer this by adding a bit of mango chutney and coconut. —Dierdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 filled squash half: 251 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 400mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
14/23
Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Total Time
5 hours 10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a meal on busy days, I pop ready-made meatballs in the slow cooker to make this tantalizing Asian-style specialty. Nothing is more convenient than walking in the door to dinner. —Lisa Stepanski, Munnsville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
8 meatballs: 794 calories, 29g fat (10g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 94g carbohydrate (63g sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein.
15/23
Black Bean Soup
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Black bean soup recipes are among my favorite because they're light and it most of the time don't contain meat. For this recipe, you could add lean beef or chicken for a variation. —Angee Owens, Lufkin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 222 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 779mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein.
16/23
Coconut Creme Chocolates
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a proud wife, mom of three and grandma of many. I've cooked many things over the years, including these marshmallowy chocolates. —Dolores Wilder, Texas City, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 91 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
17/23
Chocolate Chip Bars
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
People are always surprised when I tell them these chocolate chip bars come from the microwave. Chockfull of chocolate chips, the bars are especially good served with a big glass of cold milk. —Shirley A. Glaab, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 182 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
18/23
Pronto Vegetarian Peppers
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the summer I love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed pepper halves: 341 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 556mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 11g fiber), 19g protein.
19/23
Zucchini Frittata
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we travel by car, I make the frittata the night before, stuff it into pita bread in the morning and microwave for a minute or two. I wrap them in a towel so down the road we can enjoy a still-warm breakfast! —Carol Blumenberg, Lehigh Acres, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 261 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 304mg cholesterol, 459mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
20/23
Cod Delight
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I used to make this in the oven, but then I discovered that microwave lets me enjoy it even faster. It's a pretty dish to serve company. In fact, many of my friends and family now cook this at home. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 154 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat.
21/23
Honey-Lemon Chicken Enchiladas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Honey, lemon and chili flavors blend wonderfully in enchiladas. My family devours this dish, so I also use the chicken filling for soft tacos with toppings. —Kristi Moak, Gilbert, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
2 enchiladas (calculated without optional toppings) : 349 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch.
22/23
Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The savory coating on this chicken has the satisfying flavor of Parmesan cheese. It's easy enough to be a family weekday meal yet impressive enough to serve to guests. When I make this baked parmesan crusted chicken for dinner, we never have leftovers. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half : 270 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 552mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein.
23/23
Split-Second Shrimp
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use my microwave to hurry along the prep of this super fast shrimp scampi. It’s deliciously buttery and full of garlic flavor. We love it as a main dish, but it makes an excellent appetizer, too. — Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked shrimp: 157 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
