Think your microwave is just for Popcorn and Easy-Mac? Think again! 

We all know that college food leaves much to be desired. Dining halls are bad enough, but when we try to cook something on our own, we struggle (and sometimes burn things badly enough to set off fire alarms). But how do we avoid such shame-inducing disasters?

I've compiled and tested three of my favorite microwave recipes that you can make in your room (with ingredients mostly taken from the dining hall), and thrown in some twists on old favorites too. 

Apple Crisp

You will need:

1 Apple

3-4 Sugar Packets

Cinnamon (to taste)

1 Coffee Cake Muffin

1 Microwaveable Bowl

Cut the apple into bite sized pieces, and mix with sugar and cinnamon in microwaveable bowl. Crumble the muffin top, sprinkle on top, and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Caution! Will be extremely hot. 

Quinoa

You will need: 

1 Part Quinoa

3 Parts Water

1 Mug/Cover

Pinch of Salt

Mix the quinoa, water, and salt in the mug. Cover, cook on high for 3 1/2 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cook for another 3 minutes. Let sit two minutes. 

I love quinoa because you can mix it with ANYTHING. Want it for breakfast? Try some cinnamon, brown sugar, and banana pieces. Lunch or dinner? How about some veggies or cheese. Try different things. Personally, I like to raid the dining hall's salad/sandwich bar and see what I can find. 

Pro Tip: Make sure that your cover is either attached to your mug or heavy (like a ceramic plate). While the quinoa is cooking, it bubbles over the sides of the cup and takes paper plates with it. Trust me, cleaning the tiny bits of quinoa out of the microwave is not a good time. 

Quiche

You Will Need:

1 Teaspoon Butter

Splash of Milk

1 Egg

Pinch Salt/Pepper 

1 Mug

Melt the butter in the mug, then add the milk, salt and pepper, and the egg. Whisk with a fork until it looks smooth, then add whatever mix-ins you want to flavor it with. All kinds of veggies, cheeses, sandwich meats, and even bits of bread taste great. Just make sure that whatever you mix in is chopped into bite sized pieces. Cook in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes and BAM! Quiche in a cup. 

Updated Old Favorites

~ Adding a splash of milk into a bowl of Easy-Mac once its cooked makes it taste creamier and more like the boxed macaroni and cheese you make on the stove. 

~Okay, so this one isn't cooked in a microwave, but brewing a cup of Keurig coffee over a scoop of ice cream puts a nice, frothy foam on top.  

Bon appétit!