8 Easy Meals for Lunch or Dinner

by Ela Rybak ‘25

Sometimes cooking in college can feel overwhelming, especially if you share a kitchen, or maybe don’t have a kitchen in your dorm at all. However, there are many simple and healthy recipes that you can make, and some only require a microwave. Particularly, Trader Joe’s has some great microwavable meal options! Here are some meal ideas from my kitchen including favorite recipes from my mom.

photo credit: Dr. Rachel Paul

Avocado Salad

No stove or microwave needed

The credit goes to Dr. Rachel Paul for coming up with this staple recipe in my lunch rotation.

Ingredients

• ½ a small avocado

• ⅓ cup of crumbled feta

• ¼ medium onion diced

• 2 cups of lettuce or leafy greens

• 1 medium tomato

• 3 tbsp of nuts

• 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar

• a dash of garlic salt

Instructions

1. Cube avocado and chop tomatoes

2. Toss avocado, tomato, feta, lettuce, vinegar, and garlic salt

3. Garnish with nuts to taste

Burrata Pasta

Stove Required

Ingredients:

• ½ tbsp olive oil

• 1 clove of garlic crushed

• ½ of a 15 oz can of petite diced tomatoes

• ⅕  lb pasta (cappelini, thin spaghetti, penne rigate, or rigatoni)

• ¼ tbsp oregano

• ½ ball burrata cheese cut in small pieces

• ⅛ Cup fresh basil (chapped or freshly torn)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Heat 2 cups of water in a pot and cook the pasta as directed on its package.

2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the crushed garlic. After 1 minute, add the diced tomatoes, oregano, and salt and pepper.

3. Drain the pasta and place in a bowl/plate.

4. Add the tomato sauce and place the burrata cheese and basil on top of the pasta.

Meatball Stroganoff

Stove Required

Ingredients:

• 1/4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• ¼ medium onion diced 

• 4 oz cremini mushrooms sliced 

• 1 clove of minced garlic 

• ¾ cup beef stock 

• ¼ lb frozen meatballs (I use beef) 

• ½ tbsp paprika 

• 2 oz wide egg noodles 

• ⅛ cup sour cream 

• salt and pepper to taste 

• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add oil to pan and heat to medium. 

2. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the onions become tender

3. Stir in garlic. 

4. Add beef stock, frozen meatballs (no need to defrost), paprika, and egg noodles. 

5. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed, the noodles are tender, and the meatballs are heated through. 

6. Add sour cream and incorporate. 

7. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley to taste and serve immediately.

Tortilla Pizza

Oven or Air Fryer Required

Ingredients:

• 2 whole wheat tortillas

• ½ cup low-sodium marinara sauce

• ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper

• 2 cups fresh spinach coarsely chopped

• ⅔ cup grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.

2. Arrange tortillas on a sheet pan.

3. Bake until lightly browned for about 2-4 minutes.

4. Flip tortillas and spread ¼ cup marinara over each tortilla. Sprinkle crushed pepper over each tortilla. Arrange 1 cup spinach on each tortilla and sprinkle ⅓ cup mozzarella over each.

5. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly about 5-7 minutes.

 Nachos with Cheesy Beef or Beans

Microwave or oven required

Ingredients:

• ½ lb lean ground beef OR 1 cup refried beans

• ½ cup thick and chunky salsa

• 4 cups tortilla chips

• 1 cup shredded cheese

• ¼ cup chopped onions

• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes

• ¼ cup guacamole

• Optional: ¼ cup sliced black olives

• Optional: ¼ cup sliced jalapeño peppers or diced green chiles

Instructions:

1. Brown meat in skillet and drain OR mix refried beans with salsa.

2. Stir in salsa and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Arrange chips on a large microwavable plate or oven safe sheet pan and top with meat mixture and cheese.

4. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes rotating the plate each minute or place in the oven until melted.

5. Add other toppings as desired.

For Even Easier Meals, Try Out Some of My Microwavable Trader Joe’s Frozen Food Favorites:

Thai Vegetable Gyoza Dumplings and Gyoza Sauce

 Penne Arbiata

 Vegetable Pad Thai

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