As a college student, you’re busy and always on the go. Between classes, homework, and extracurricular activities, there’s not always a lot of time to cook a meal from scratch. Fortunately, with a little bit of planning and a microwave, you can whip up delicious and nutritious meals in just 7 minutes or less. In this blog, I’ll share some of my favorite 7-minute microwave meals that will keep you fueled and ready to tackle whatever college life throws your way.

The Benefits of Microwave Cooking 🌡️

Microwaving has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the years, with some people believing that it’s not a healthy way to cook food. However, there are many benefits to using a microwave that make it the perfect kitchen tool for college students.

Time-Saving ⏱️

The most obvious benefit of microwave cooking is that it saves you time. With a microwave, you can cook food in just a fraction of the time it takes to cook on a traditional stove. This makes it perfect for college students who are short on time but still want to eat a healthy, home-cooked meal.

Energy-Efficient đź’ˇ

Another benefit of microwave cooking is that it’s energy-efficient. Microwaves use less energy than traditional ovens or stovetops, which means that you’ll save money on your energy bills.

A person standing in front of a microwave with a thumbs up

7-Minute Microwave Meal Recipes 🍱

Now that you know the benefits of microwave cooking, it’s time to dive into some delicious and easy 7-minute microwave meal recipes.

Mac and Cheese 🧀

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? With this 7-minute microwave recipe, you can have a piping hot bowl of cheesy goodness in no time.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup water
  • â…“ cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine macaroni and water.
  2. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, stirring every minute.
  3. Add milk and cheese to the bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

A bowl of mac and cheese with a fork

Baked Potato 🥔

A baked potato is the ultimate comfort food, and with this 7-minute microwave recipe, you can have one anytime you want.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large potato
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Wash the potato and poke several holes in it with a fork.
  2. Rub the potato with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the potato on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
  4. Flip the potato and microwave on high for an additional 2 minutes, or until the potato is cooked through.
  5. Let the potato cool for a few minutes, then slice it open and add your favorite toppings.

A baked potato topped with sour cream and chives

Vegetarian Chili 🌶️

This hearty vegetarian chili is packed with protein and flavor, and it can be cooked in just 7 minutes in the microwave.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin.
  2. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, stirring every minute.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

A bowl of vegetarian chili with tortilla chips on the side

Final Thoughts đź’­

With these 7-minute microwave meal recipes, you can have healthy and delicious meals in no time. And the best part is, you don’t need to be a master chef to make them. So the next time you’re crunched for time, don’t reach for a bag of chips or order takeout. Instead, try one of these quick and easy microwave meals.

A group of college students enjoying a meal together