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. 
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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! 
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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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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Shakshuka 

Runny poached eggs, a spiced tomato sauce and crunchy chickpeas for a hearty zing. Breakfast food for dinner? Why the heck not. 
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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. 
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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. 
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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