Healthy microwave meals in 30 minutes or less
If you don’t have Jamie Oliver on speed dial or a MasterChef kitchen at your disposal, join the club! Having less tools and a slim budget to work with doesn’t mean you can’t cook for yourself. With a little planning you can bite into a healthy and delicious meal every day of the week. And hey, it usually costs less than eating out. Keep reading to level up on your on-campus cooking game. All you need is a microwave and a pinch of creativity, sprinkled Salt Bae-style.
Ideas for microwave-only, fuss-free food
Who says you need fancy kitchen shenanigans to eat well? Check out these delicious and healthy recipes that can be prepared using not much more than your trusty microwave.
Ratatouille
Fancy schmancy, you say? Nah. Even if you can’t pronounce the name (rah-tah-too-hee), it doesn’t make this dish any less delicious. And healthy. This microwave recipe means it’s easier than ever to make.
View recipe
Butternut squash and sage risotto
“But I love standing by the stove stirring risotto non-stop for a full hour!” Said no one ever. This recipe also includes ideas to make mushroom & thyme risotto AND bacon, kale & mushroom risotto. Score!
View recipe
Chickpea and eggplant curry
Curry is the uni student’s best friend. This particular recipe calls for chickpeas, eggplant, carrots and capsicums, but you can add other vegetables and nuts in there to crank up the health factor. Try adding cauliflower and a handful of cashew nuts.
View recipe
Asian chicken and rice
Chicken broth and soy sauce, together – it’s like music to our ears. This recipe doesn’t use ginger, but if you want to splash out a little, we’d add some minced or grated ginger into the mix for that little bit of oomph. Toss in more veggies, like bok choy or baby spinach to pack a nutritious punch.
View recipe
Zucchini ham frittata
Want to know a secret? A good frittata can be had for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This recipe doesn’t use any, but we like adding a dash of ground cumin for that extra layer of flavour.
View recipe
Shakshuka
Runny poached eggs, a spiced tomato sauce and crunchy chickpeas for a hearty zing. Breakfast food for dinner? Why the heck not.
View recipe
Salmon cakes with sriracha mayo
If you want seafood on a budget, go for salmon in a can. (Have you met our bestie, John West?) This particular recipe doesn’t call for it, but adding sriracha sauce mixed with mayo will give an extra delicious kick. Bonus points for the megahit of omega-3 fatty acids to boost that brain power come exam time.
View recipe
Vegetarian burrito bowl
This recipe uses pre-cooked frozen brown rice, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious. Add sautéed vegetables, fresh pico de gallo and chipotle tofu to build on the flavour fiesta.
View recipe
Rinse and re-heat
Don’t be left out in the cold. Get microwavin’ at these Hawthorn campus microwave stations and kitchens:
Lounge off Wakefield Street
- Indoor seating area with chairs, tables and sofas
- Boiling, chilled and normal water taps
- Three microwaves
- Two sinks
- Storage lockers
- Student Life Book Exchange station
Kitchen (Building TD)
- Microwave
- Sink
- Table and seating
- Refrigerator
Kitchen near Reception off Wakefield Street
- Kitchen with microwave
Postgraduate Lounge
- Small lounge and kitchen with microwave
Kitchen at Swinburne Queer Department & SSU Women's Collective
- Microwave
- Fridge
- Sink
- Kettle
- Toasters
Kitchenette (Building AR)
- Boiling, chilled and normal water taps
- Microwave
- Mini refrigerator
- Espresso machine
Kitchen off Burwood Rd (Building ATC)
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Sink
Kitchen off Henry St (Building IS)
- Microwave
- Oven
- Sink
- Kettle
24G106 Green Room, off George St
- Microwave
- Sink
- Kettle
- Refrigerator
- Card access required
2L lobby area, Study Space, off Glenferrie Rd
- Comfortable seating with chairs and tables
- Kitchenette with microwaves and sinks
- WiFi available
Did you know?
Swinburne offers on-site health services and fully confidential counselling to students at all campuses. To book a free sexual health appointment, simply call +61 3 9214 8483. If you have symptoms, book with a GP at the Hawthorn or Wantirna campus. If you don’t have any symptoms, book with your on campus nurse or the weekly sexual health clinic at the Hawthorn campus. You'll need 30 minutes for your first appointment.