Overnight oats
To make overnight oats, you need rolled oats, milk, sweetener, like maple syrup or honey and toppings like fruit, nuts or greek yogurt. Combine one part rolled oats with one part milk in a sealable container, most commonly a mason jar, and mix it together.
Leave it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to let it thicken, then add your toppings and about a spoonful of sweetener. Some good topping combinations include bananas and strawberries or apples and maple syrup. You can also add a scoop of protein powder or Greek yogurt for a protein boost.
Microwave rice poke bowl
For this recipe, you need microwavable rice and your favorite poke bowl toppings, like canned tuna or imitation crab, edamame, avocado, cucumber, seaweed, sriracha mayo or soy sauce. Canned tuna and imitation crab don’t need to be cooked, so all you’ll have to do is pop the rice in the microwave and prepare it according to the package instructions. Then, top with your favorite vegetables and proteins and add a drizzle of sauce.
“Baked” potato
Potatoes can actually be baked in a microwave — just pierce your russet potato a few times with a fork to let the steam escape, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and microwave on high for five minutes. Flip the potato over and microwave it for another three minutes or until the potato is soft enough to be pierced easily with a fork.
Slice the potato down the middle and top it with sour cream and cheese. You can use imitation bacon bits as a topping if you don’t want to cook real bacon, but bacon can also be cooked in the microwave. Lay it on paper towels and microwave on high for three to four minutes or longer until it’s no longer translucent.
Macaroni and cheese
To make microwave macaroni and cheese, you need equal parts pasta and water. Combine them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for four to five minutes until the pasta is cooked. Make sure to use a big bowl so the water doesn’t bubble over.
Drain the water and add one part shredded cheddar cheese. Then add milk, salt and butter to taste. Microwave for another minute or two until the cheese is melted and serve.
Chia pudding
Similar to overnight oats, this easy breakfast only requires a fridge and no cooking. Combine a cup of milk with a quarter cup of chia seeds, sweeten with maple syrup or honey to taste and store in the fridge in an airtight container overnight to let it thicken. In the morning, top with fruit, granola or jam.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student’s spring 2026 Housing and Living Guide.
