Sometimes, eating in Eastway or the Hub can get old. Take advantage of the food sold in on-campus grocery stores and make some quick, easy, microwavable meals that will remind you of home cooking.

What you will need: A mini fridge and a microwave

MICROWAVE CHOCOLATE CAKE

1/4 c. Hershey’s Cocoa

2/3 c. hot water, divided

3/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. all purpose flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Grease round micro-proof baking dish, 7 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches or 8 x 1 1/2 inches; line bottom with plastic wrap. In small micro-proof bowl combine cocoa and 1/3 cup water. Microwave on high (full power) 40 to 50 seconds or until slightly thickened. In medium bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add oil, remaining 1/3 cup hot water, egg, vanilla and chocolate mixture; beat until batter is smooth and well blended.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Microwave on high 5 to 6 minutes without turning until cake begins to pull away from sides (some moist spots may remain, but will disappear on standing). Let stand 5 minutes; invert onto serving plate. Peel off plastic wrap; cool. Frost.

Time is for 600 to 700 watt microwave ovens.

-Cooks.com

MICROWAVE RAVIOLI CASSEROLE

Quick! This four-ingredient Italian main dish goes together in less than 20 minutes. Add some steamed broccoli and a loaf of garlic bread, and dinner is on the table in no time.

Prep Time: 5 min

Total Time: 20 min

Makes: 6 servings (about 1 cup each)

1 pound lean ground beef

1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

2 cans (15 ounces each) beef ravioli

1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Crumble beef into 2-quart microwavable casserole. Add onion. Cover loosely and microwave on high 5 to 6 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes, until beef is no longer pink; drain.

2. Stir in ravioli. Cover tightly and microwave 5 to 7 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes, until hot. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand until cheese is melted.

-BettyCrocker.com

DORM ROOM CHEESY TUNA AND NOODLES

PREP TIME: 2 minutes

COOK TIME: 5 minutes

1 cup boiling water

1 (3 ounce) package any flavor ramen noodles

1 (3 ounce) can water-packed tuna, drained

2 slices American cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pour water into a microwave safe bowl, and cook in the microwave until very hot, about 2 minutes at high heat. Add ramen noodles, and microwave 2 minutes more to cook.

2. Drain and discard water from noodles, then stir in seasoning packet, tuna, and American cheese. Place back into microwave, and cook until hot, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir before serving.

-Allrecipes.com

ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZA

When you don’t want a whole pizza to share or you simply don’t want to wait for the pizza delivery person, try this mock-pizza instead.

Shredded mozzarella cheese

English Muffin

Pizza sauce, pasta sauce or tomato sauce

Toppings of your choice

DIRECTIONS:

Build like a pizza and microwave for 30-40 seconds

MAC AND CHEESE IN THE MICROWAVE

When a small portion of Easy Mac just isn’t enough, make this in the microwave in just twice the time.

Need a large microwavable bowl

A large plate to cover the bowl

Box of you favorite brand of macaroni and cheese

Milk

butter

DIRECTIONS: Add box of macaroni to bowl and fill with water until pasta is covered

Microwave covered with plate for 8 minutes or until water is almost gone and pasta is tender. Stir halfway through cooking process.

Once finished in microwave, prepare according to instructions on the back of the box.

Contact news editor Melissa Dilley at [email protected].