Planning for your first year of college, or a returning sophomore, junior, or senior? Healthy eating should be one of your main priorities. Planning is key when thinking about college cooking. You may only have a microwave at your disposal, and Ramen noodles get old. Fast. Here are some great college recipes that anyone can cook, even if you’re living in a dorm room!
Want a great dinner? Try this Mexican Manicotti from www.microwaverecipe.net! You’ll need:
- large microwave-safe bowl
- large microwave-safe casserole dish
- 1 pound ground turkey (or beef, if you really like beef)
- 1 diced onion (try a yellow one!)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 can refried beans
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 8-oz package of manicotti noodles
- 1 cup water
- 1 3/4 cups salsa
- 1 cup sour cream (if desired)
- 1/2 cup shredded jack cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
To bake, start by placing meat into the bowl (crumble it up into tiny bits) with the onion and chili powder. Place in the microwave and cook on HIGH for 6.5 – 9 minutes. Make sure to stir the beef halfway through so it cooks all the way through. Drain the grease (you can put it in an old can, like the one the refried beans came in). Add the beans, cumin, and paprika and mix. Next, grease the casserole dish (try taking Pam or rubbing a stick of butter on all surfaces). Fill the manicotti shells with the beef mixture and put them in the dish. Mix the water and salsa together and pour that over the shells. Cover (loosely!) with plastic wrap and cook in the microwave for 10 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap, flip the shells over, and cook for 15 more minutes. You’ll know this dish is finished when the noodles are soft and most of the water/salsa mixture has been absorbed. Add cheese and let sit until it’s melted (or microwave for an extra minute or so to melt the cheese). Serve with green onions, olives, and sour cream as a topping. Yum!
Photo courtesy of http://www.microwaverecipe.net/mexican-manicotti.html.
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