As a college student studying away from home in a dorm room, it can often feel daunting to create tasty and nutritious meals with limited cooking supplies, such as a microwave or single hotplate. However, with a few simple components on hand, you can easily make microwave rice and beans — a simple, hearty meal with canned beans and microwavable rice that will nourish and satisfy even the hungriest student.
The Basics: What You’ll Need
- 1 can of beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 micowavable pouch of rice
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, pepper and oregano to taste
- Olive oil or butter for cooking
- Optional – grated cheese, hot sauce, lime juice for topping
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
- Add the garlic and smoked paprika and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the drained and rinsed beans to the pan and season with salt, pepper and oregano. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- While the beans are cooking, microwave the pouch of rice according to package directions.
- Once the beans have finished cooking, add the cooked rice to the pan and stir to combine.
Improving the Nutritional Value
Aside from the basic ingredients listed above, there are plenty of ways to boost the nutritional value and flavor of your microwave rice and beans. Consider adding steamed or sautéed vegetables like peppers, mushrooms or spinach for additional vitamins and minerals. You can also try different types of beans for different flavors and textures, such as kidney, black, pinto or refried beans. You can also add fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley or basil for additional freshness.
For an extra boost of protein, consider topping your microwave rice and beans with grated cheese, crumbled feta or a fried egg. If you have access to hot sauce, that’s also a delicious topping. Finally, don’t forget the lime juice! A spritz of fresh lime juice can really brighten up the flavors and make your meal feel fancy.
With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can easily make a tasty and nutritious microwave rice and beans meal no matter where you call home. Enjoy!
