Cure for the Cold: Winter Recipes for the Dorm

Photo by: Sydney Meyer

You’re sitting in your dorm room, the wind is whistling through the trees, the temperature outside is well below a reasonable level and the sheer thought of going outside makes you want to cry. Despite the unpleasant outdoors, despite the desire to stay curled up under your blankets in a warm cocoon, it’s dinner time and your stomach is growling. 

If only you had some manual, some guide that would enable you to create a nice, hot meal to warm you from the inside-out, and, more importantly, keep you from the necessity of venturing outdoors. Well, look no further. Below is a list of recipes meant to bring you warmth in these dark and frosty days.

Mac in a Mug

There’s nothing quite like a good bowl, or, in this case, mug, of Mac & Cheese to warm both your body and soul. Recipe adapted from Gemma’s Bigger, Bolder Baking.

Ingredients:

1/3 c. pasta

3/4 c. water, cold

4 Tbsp. milk

1/4 tsp. cornstarch

4 Tbsp. cheddar cheese, grated

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the macaroni and water in an oversized mug.
2. Microwave for roughly 3 ½ minutes, or until the macaroni is fully cooked.
3. Remove from microwave and drain remaining cooking water.
4. Stir in milk, cornstarch and shredded cheese.
5. Microwave for one more minute, stir well, add seasoning with salt and pepper.

Minestrone Soup

After a couple of servings of this fragrant and inviting soup, you might be able to feel your toes again. Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.

Ingredients:

2 tsp. carrots, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, diced

8 oz. green beans, cut in 2-inch lengths

1/3 c. couscous

1 can chicken broth

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 can navy beans

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a 3-quart microwave-safe dish, combine oil, carrots, bell pepper, green beans and garlic. Stir to coat vegetables with oil.
2. Cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
3. Add couscous, broth, tomato paste, navy beans, 1 c. water, and ½ tsp. salt.
4. Cover and microwave until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with parmesan cheese, if desired.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup (In a Mug)

Satisfying and hearty, this is the epitome of comfort food, and it will have you wondering why you don’t cook for yourself more often. Recipe adapted from Gemma’s Bigger, Bolder Baking.

Ingredients:

 3/4 c. water

3 Tbsp. potatoes, cubed

1 Tbsp. onion, chopped

2 Tbsp. cheddar cheese, cubed

1 Tbsp. bacon, cooked (yes, it is possible to cook bacon in the microwave. Google it.)

2 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. milk

Salt and pepper

Sour cream for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add potatoes and water into a large mug.
2. Microwave 3-4 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Stir halfway through cooking time.
3. Once cooked, drain cooking water.
4. Add bacon, cheese, onions, and cornstarch.
5. Stir in stock and milk and season with salt and pepper.
6. Microwave for 2 ½ to 3 minutes, or until thick. Make sure to watch the mug closely so it doesn’t overflow.
7. Serve with sour cream.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup in a Mug

If this soup doesn’t warm you from the inside-out, you might as well accept your cold heart and go join Elsa in her ice-castle. Recipe adapted from Yummly.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. tomato paste

3 Tbsp. cheddar cheese, grated

1 c. dried, old bread, cubed

1 plum tomato, finely diced

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, add egg, milk, and tomato paste, whisking to combine.
2. Add cheese and bread and stir.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the mixture to a mug, pressing down to allow the bread to soak up the moisture.
4. Microwave for 2-3 minutes.
5. Garnish with diced tomato.

Hot Cocoa Brownie Mug

When these two worlds collide, you’ll be left with a masterpiece — perfect and, dare I say, essential, for enduring the wintry weather.  

Ingredients:

1/4 c. hot cocoa mix

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. milk

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

Vanilla icecream, optional

Instructions:

1. Stir together hot cocoa mix, flour, milk, and butter.
2. Microwave for 1 minute. Add more time, if necessary.