21 Cheap & Tasty Dinners You Can Make in a Dorm Room
College is expensive and dorm kitchens are basically nonexistent, but you don’t have to live on ramen forever. These recipes use stuff you can store in your room and make with just a microwave, mini fridge, and maybe a hot plate if you’re lucky. Most ingredients cost under $20 total and make multiple meals. Perfect for when you’re broke but tired of cafeteria food.
Ramen Stir-Fry with Frozen Vegetables
Cook the ramen noodles but throw away the flavor packet cause it’s mostly salt anyway. Mix the cooked noodles with frozen vegetables that you microwaved and add soy sauce or whatever sauce you got. The frozen veggies actually work better than fresh ones for this cause they don’t get mushy. This feels like real food instead of just processed noodles and costs maybe $2 per serving.
Get the recipe here.
Microwave Mac and Cheese with Tuna
Boxed mac and cheese is already cheap but adding a can of tuna makes it actually filling. The tuna adds protein so you’re not hungry again in an hour. Mix it all together while the mac is still hot so the tuna warms up. Some people think this sounds gross but it’s basically tuna casserole. Way more satisfying than plain mac and cheese.
Get the recipe here.
Rice Bowl with Canned Beans and Salsa
Instant rice cooks in the microwave in like 90 seconds. Add a can of any beans you like and some salsa for flavor. Black beans work best but kidney beans or pinto beans are fine too. This is actually pretty healthy and has protein and fiber. Add cheese if you got it or hot sauce if you like spicy food.
Get the recipe here.
Instant Oatmeal Savory Bowl with Egg
Oatmeal doesn’t have to be sweet – it works as a base for savory stuff too. Make it with less water so it’s thicker, then crack an egg on top and microwave for another minute. The egg cooks right in the oatmeal. Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce. This is super cheap and surprisingly filling for breakfast or dinner.
Get the recipe here.
Peanut Butter and Banana Quesadilla
This sounds weird but it’s actually really good. Spread peanut butter on a tortilla, add sliced banana, fold in half. You can cook it in a pan if you have one or just eat it cold. The combination is sweet and salty and way more interesting than a regular PB sandwich. Good source of protein and potassium or whatever.
Get the recipe here.
Microwave Baked Sweet Potato with Black Beans
Poke holes in a sweet potato and microwave for like 5-8 minutes depending on size. Cut it open and add canned black beans and whatever seasonings you got. Sweet potatoes are cheap, filling, and actually good for you. The black beans add protein and fiber. Top with salsa or cheese if you want.
Get the recipe here.
Cup Noodles with Added Egg and Vegetables
Regular cup noodles are mostly empty calories but you can make them better. Crack an egg into the cup before adding hot water – it cooks right in there. Add frozen vegetables or whatever fresh veggies you got lying around. This turns a 50 cent snack into an actual meal that might keep you full.
Get the recipe here.
Rice and Lentil Bowl with Hot Sauce
Lentils are cheap protein that cook fast. You can get them canned or dried – dried ones take longer but cost less. Mix with instant rice and add hot sauce, soy sauce, or whatever flavor you want. This is basically what poor college students in other countries eat and it’s actually pretty good. Very filling for not much money.
Get the recipe here.
Microwave Scrambled Eggs with Toast
Eggs scramble fine in the microwave if you stir them every 30 seconds so they don’t get rubbery. Way cheaper than eating out for breakfast and eggs are good protein. Serve with toast or bagel or whatever bread you got. Add cheese if you have it or just salt and pepper. Takes like 3 minutes total.
Get the recipe here.
Pasta with Jarred Marinara and Canned Chickpeas
Any pasta works but the small shapes mix better with the chickpeas. Drain and rinse the chickpeas then add them to heated marinara sauce. The chickpeas add protein and make it more filling than just pasta and sauce. You can microwave everything together if you don’t have a stove. Costs maybe $3 and makes 2-3 servings.
Get the recipe here.
Instant Mashed Potatoes with Cheese and Broccoli
Instant mashed potatoes get a bad rap but they’re not terrible and they’re super cheap. Add frozen broccoli while the potatoes are still hot so it thaws out. Mix in shredded cheese for protein and flavor. This is basically loaded mashed potatoes and it’s comfort food that fills you up. My roommate ate this like every night junior year.
Get the recipe here.
Tortilla Pizza with Tomato Sauce and Cheese
Spread tomato sauce or pizza sauce on a tortilla, add cheese and whatever toppings you got. Cook in a toaster oven if you have one or just microwave until the cheese melts. It’s not real pizza but it scratches the itch when you’re broke. Way cheaper than ordering pizza and you can make it exactly how you want.
Get the recipe here.
Couscous with Canned Tomatoes and Feta
Couscous cooks super fast – just add hot water and wait 5 minutes. Mix with canned diced tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese. This tastes kind of Mediterranean and fancy even though it costs like $2. The feta adds protein and the tomatoes give it moisture so it’s not dry. Good hot or cold the next day.
Get the recipe here.
Microwave Jacket Potato with Baked Beans
“Jacket potato” is just British for baked potato but it sounds fancier. Microwave a potato until soft, cut open, and top with canned baked beans. This is actually a classic combination in England. The beans have protein and the potato is filling carbs. Add cheese or butter if you got it but it’s good plain too.
Get the recipe here.
Rice with Soy Sauce, Egg, and Frozen Peas
This is basically fried rice without the frying. Cook instant rice, scramble an egg in the microwave, add frozen peas and soy sauce. Mix it all together while everything’s hot. The peas thaw from the heat and add some vegetables to your meal. Simple but satisfying and costs almost nothing to make.
Get the recipe here.
Bagel with Cream Cheese and Cucumber
This is more of a light dinner but sometimes that’s all you want. Toast a bagel, spread cream cheese, add thin cucumber slices. It sounds too simple but the cool cucumber with creamy cheese is really good. Add salt and pepper or everything bagel seasoning if you have it. Good when it’s hot outside and you don’t want anything heavy.
Get the recipe here.
Quinoa Bowl with Canned Corn and Avocado
Quinoa is trendy health food but it’s actually pretty cheap if you buy it in bulk. Cook it like rice but with more water. Add canned corn (drained) and avocado if you can afford it. This has complete protein from the quinoa plus healthy fats from avocado. Dress with lime juice and salt or whatever dressing you like.
Get the recipe here.
Microwave Chili with Canned Beans and Salsa
Mix different kinds of canned beans with salsa and microwave until hot. Add chili powder or hot sauce to taste. This isn’t traditional chili but it works and takes like 3 minutes. Serve over rice or with crackers. The beans have lots of protein and fiber so it actually fills you up. Make a big batch and eat it for days.
Get the recipe here.
Instant Rice with Peanut Butter and Sriracha
This combination sounds crazy but it’s actually really good. Cook instant rice, stir in a spoonful of peanut butter while it’s hot so it melts, then add sriracha to taste. It’s like Thai peanut sauce but easier. The peanut butter adds protein and makes it creamy. Surprisingly addictive once you try it.
Get the recipe here.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
This timeless comfort food pairing delivers pure nostalgia in every bite. Golden, buttery grilled cheese features melted cheddar or American cheese sandwiched between crispy, toasted bread.
Paired with rich, creamy tomato soup made from ripe tomatoes, onions, and herbs, this classic duo offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The sandwich’s crunchy exterior and gooey center complement the soup’s smooth, warming embrace—ideal for chilly days or whenever you crave simple, satisfying comfort.
Get the recipe here.
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing and Vegetables
Cook any small pasta and let it cool down. Add bottled Italian dressing and whatever vegetables you have – canned olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, whatever. This keeps in the fridge for days so you can make a big batch.
Good for when it’s too hot to eat warm food or you want something you can grab between classes without reheating.
Get the recipe here.
