Dorm Room Dining: 3 Easy Recipes

College dorm living can be tough. New roommates that are complete strangers, experiencing co-ed showers for the first time, and random neighbors barging in without notice to come mooch off your snacks for those late night study sessions. One thing that should not be tough is eating healthy, balanced brain food while getting your degree. These Kenmore microwave and blender recipes are not only budget friendly for college students, they are also filled with nutritional ingredients to give your noggin a power boost. Plus, being able to utilize only two small appliances in your dorm room is a genius space saver!

Microwave Blueberry Muffin Oats

Ingredients:
1 package instant oatmeal
¼ cup water
2 Tbsp. almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
1 Tbsp. almond butter or peanut butter (all natural kind)
Handful of blueberries
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt

Directions: Pour the oats and water into a microwave safe bowl or glass Mason jar. Heat in your Kenmore microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Stir in the remaining ingredients and serve immediately.

Microwave Mug Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 cup water
½ cup whole wheat elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper

Directions: Place pasta in a large coffee mug and add water to cover. Heat on high for 7 minutes and stir at minute 4 and minute 1 remaining. Add in the cheese, salt, pepper and stir till melted. Reheat for 30 seconds if cheese is not melting completely. Top with sources of protein including broccoli, beans, or pre-cooked chicken.

Blender Tomato Soup and Hot Iron Grilled Cheese Sammies

Ingredients:
1 can crushed organic tomatoes
¼ cup raw cashews
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
Kosher salt and pepper
2 slices whole wheat bread
2 slices American or cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. butter
Tin foil

Directions: Toss the tomatoes, cashews, dried herbs, salt, and pepper into your blender. Puree until smooth and creamy. Taste for seasoning and heat in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute or until hot. To make the grilled cheese sammie, tear off 1 square foot of foil and butter one side of your bread. Place the piece of bread butter side down on the foil and top with cheese. Butter the remaining piece of bread on one side and place on top of cheese with the butter side facing upwards. Heat your Kenmore iron on the high setting and turn off the steamer (if you have one). Wrap the grilled cheese tightly with the foil and place the hot iron on top of the packet. Press lightly for 5 minutes per side. BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THIS IS VERY HOT! Remove foil carefully and enjoy your grilled cheese alongside the blender tomato soup.