1. Make your own grain bowl
I was slightly skeptical of this at first, unsure of how satisfying this meal would actually be. However, once I found the perfect ingredients, I found myself content and full after eating it. Get a piece or two of grilled chicken. Make sure that it is fresh off the grill because we all know that it can sometimes be slightly dry and unappetizing.
Add any type of lettuce or spinach you prefer. For me, arugula never fails. With my grain bowls, I always include quinoa, chickpeas, edamame, feta, tomatoes, and if your dining hall has it, I highly recommend hummus. For the dressing I typically use balsamic. If you're looking for a healthy meal, a grain bowl is a way to go.
2. DIY Pasta
Typically I find the pasta in the dining halls to be relatively reliable. However; there are definitely times where you need to take it upon yourself to spice it up. No matter what kind of pasta, I typically will add chicken and broccoli to it, giving it that extra hint of flavor. Also, if your feeling bold, there is no such thing as too much Parmesan cheese. If you're looking for a carb loaded meal with some protein, this is the way to go.
3. Make your own bacon, egg and cheese
We all know that the pre-made eggs can be pretty sketchy. I don't usually resort to eating them unless it's necessary. On those Saturday and Sunday mornings, it is absolutely necessary to have a breakfast sandwich that hits the spot. Whether you prefer English muffins, croissants, or a bagel, all of these can be found at the dining hall.
Find a type of bread you like and stick it in the toaster. You can add basically anything you'd like. For me, I usually always add bacon, I order an egg instead of using the pre-made ones, and I always put arugula and cheese on top. I promise you, it's even better than Dunks.
4. Can't forget dessert
For me, dessert is the best part of a meal. Deciding what I want is honestly always a struggle. My recent favorite has been to take a chipwich from the freezer, put it into a bowl, crunch it up, and add whatever you want. My personal favorite thing to add to this is the m&m's and Oreos. Doesn't get much better than this folks.
5. Cheesy fries
My roommate recently did this and it was honestly one of the best ideas I've ever heard of. On the days the dining hall has tacos, they will ALWAYS put out Queso. My roommate will get the French fries and layer it with the queso and the ground beef on Taco Tuesdays. Definitely not the most healthy idea, but REALLY good comfort food.