How to Cook a Meal in a Dorm Room

So, you've used up all the money on your meal card, or maybe your soccer game or study session lasted all the way through dinner. When you live on campus, you have to be resourceful. One key skill is the ability to cook an entire meal in your dorm room. That way, you'll never have to stress about a conflicting schedule or a particularly unappetizing dining hall menu.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2-quart microwave-safe dish
• Salt
• Microwave
• Dried pasta
• Pasta sauce or other topping

Know the Rules

1. Investigate your school's policies about what appliances you can have in your dorm room. Most schools allow microwaves, miniature refrigerators and personal coffeemakers; few schools allow hot plates.

2. Ask your dorm's resident assistant (RA) if there are any special rules that apply to cooking in your dorm.

3. Contact your roommate before the school year begins to decide who is bringing which appliance.

Savor Soup and Salad

4. Stock up on dry soups. Many popular varieties--such as chicken noodle, French onion and broccoli cheddar--are available in dehydrated, packaged form.

5. Pour the dry soup into the large mug that comes with your personal coffeemaker. Top with boiling water from the coffeemaker, and voila! You have soup.

6. Eat your vegetables. Your salad course can consist of baby carrots and celery sticks. Both of these crunchy veggies will stay fresh in your mini-fridge for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy them dipped in your favorite dressing or soft cheese. Celeray sticks dipped in peanut butter and topped with minched onion is an unusual but tasty treat.

Prepare Perfect Pasta

7. Boil the water by filling a large, microwave-safe glass or plastic dish with a quart of water and a pinch of salt. Heat the water on high for 11 or 12 minutes. Make sure it doesn't boil over.

8. Add 4 ounces of spaghetti or fettuccine, and microwave on high for another 6 to 8 minutes.

9. Drain the water from the pasta. You may need to use the sink in your dorm's communal area if you don't have a sink in your room.

10. Top the pasta with anything, including marinara sauce, shredded chicken in olive oil or lemon-pepper seasoning.

Tips & Warnings

• Be a considerate roommate. Before you cook a meal in your dorm room, ask your roommates if they mind.
• Don't overload electrical sockets. Unplug all other appliances, such as a hair dryer or a lamp, before plugging in your coffeemaker or microwave.

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