I asked college students to share their favorite 2-ingredient dinner ideas.

I'll admit it: A full dinner with only two ingredients seems almost too good to be true. Crafting a meal that's delicious, satisfying, affordable, convenient, and somewhat healthy is already a tough task. But pulling it off with just two ingredients? That seems impossible... right?

Not quite. It turns out there are plenty of experts out there who know how to make these super simple meals—if you know where to look. And no, they aren't top chefs or celebrity cooks. They're just college students.

As a college junior myself, I may be a little biased. But with limited kitchen space, packed schedules, and tight budgets, college students are basically forced to master the art of quick, easy cooking.

Over the past two years, I've picked up my favorite meal hacks. And I don’t plan on outgrowing them. No matter how old you are or what your cooking skills are like, a simple dinner with just a couple of ingredients and a few minutes to spare is always a win.

To find the best two-ingredient dinners, I turned to the experts: my college friends who know dorm cooking inside and out. Here’s a collection of their top recommendations (plus a few of my own) to keep in mind when you need a quick and simple dinner.

No-Knead Flatbread

This recipe, suggested by my friend Mia, might just be my favorite of the bunch. It feels gourmet, yet it’s so simple: just two ingredients and a little time. Mia mixes Greek yogurt with self-rising flour to form a dough, rolls it into a circle, and then cooks it in a pan with olive oil until golden brown. She cheats the two-ingredient rule by adding sliced tomatoes, salt, and pepper on top. You can also dip it in hummus or turn it into a mini pizza with cheese and pepperoni. This meal is ridiculously easy, packed with protein, and incredibly delicious—I'm still in awe of how brilliant it is.

Microwaved Pasta

While it may sound like an obvious choice, microwaving pasta was a top recommendation from the college students I spoke with. My friend Yana was adamant: 'You HAVE to include microwave pasta,' she texted when I asked for ideas. I had no choice but to listen. She gave it a solid 10/10 rating, adding that jarred vodka sauce pairs perfectly with microwaved penne. Another pro tip? Use store-bought dips as pasta sauces for extra flavor and variety.

I received multiple suggestions for a microwave pasta maker, a handy tool for making solo meals. My friend Barclay, for instance, often uses hers to whip up simple buttered noodles, as she finds classic college staples like instant ramen unappealing.

Rice and Beans

When I was in college, my mom's go-to two-ingredient meal was rice and peas. She passed her love for this odd combo onto me, though I’ve never met anyone else who shares our enthusiasm. The main issue with the dish is the lack of protein, which is why I prefer its more popular (and filling) cousin: rice and beans.

I don’t think there’s a more nutritious two-ingredient meal than rice and beans. All you need is a can of beans, some rice, and a microwave. My friend Delaney swears by adding taco seasoning for extra flavor—a hack she picked up from her brother.

Ramen Noodles and Eggs

How could I not include instant ramen noodles in this list? I can’t let my fellow college students down by missing out on the most iconic dorm meal ever. Ramen noodles are a reliable go-to, and it’s easy to see why: they’re quick, tasty, and versatile. Plus, you can easily make them more filling without losing their convenience.

It all begins with a solid noodle. I’ve tried many ramen brands, and Momofuku ramen noodles are my absolute favorite, whenever I can get my hands on them. Trader Joe’s ramen is also great. More often than not, though, I go for whatever I can grab at my campus convenience store.

If ramen feels too much like your college days, there are plenty of ways to elevate your instant noodles into something more meal-like. The easiest upgrade is adding an egg. I usually go for scrambled eggs, but a soft-boiled egg works too. For something less traditional, try mixing peanut butter into your sauce for a unique twist, turning it into carbonara, or even adding raw noodles to a bagged salad to make a ramen noodle salad.

Hash Brown Waffles

Your waffle iron isn't just for making waffles. While I’d never say no to a classic waffle dinner, sometimes you want to get a little creative. During summer, my mom often makes hash brown waffles as a side for flank steak with chimichurri. While steak is a bit too advanced for dorm cooking, I’ll happily settle for the hash brown waffles (they were always my favorite part anyway).

For this one-ingredient dinner, simply toss some frozen, shredded hash browns into a waffle iron that's been sprayed with cooking spray. If you want to get fancy, adding shredded cheese is a great way to boost the flavor. While a regular waffle iron works fine, a personal-sized waffle iron is a perfect dorm hack. Enjoy your crispy hash brown waffle on its own, with ketchup, or add hearty toppings like bacon, avocado, or a fried egg.

Charcuterie Board

Let’s be real: this 'meal' is just a college student’s way of saying, 'I ate whatever snacks I had in my fridge and called it dinner.' But I couldn’t leave it out of this list—charcuterie boards are a favorite among my friends. We love them so much that we even created one big board together for our Friendsgiving celebration last year.

My friend Sarine, a Trader Joe’s guru, swears by crackers and Brie when she’s craving an easy meal or snack. Another Trader Joe’s fan, my friend Lindsey, loves to add sliced apples and almonds for a touch of elegance. Charcuterie boards are a great way to turn random snacks and leftovers into a real meal. The best part is that it’s even more fun when you get a group together to share a variety of ingredients—popcorn, hummus, veggies, and salami are some of my favorites.

Overnight Oats

When it comes to easy dorm meals, breakfast for dinner is always a win. Think: frozen waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and my personal favorite—oatmeal. It’s easy to overlook oatmeal, but it’s a versatile base that works for both sweet and savory toppings. While hot oatmeal is quick to make in the microwave, overnight oats are a genius no-cook option for a quick grab-and-go meal.

To make overnight oats, simply mix equal parts oats and your choice of milk, then let it sit in a jar in the fridge overnight. My friend Colleen loves adding bananas and peanut butter for a quick breakfast (or dinner) option.

My friend Kate also swears by overnight oats for a simple meal, but she boosts the nutrition by adding Greek yogurt, protein powder, and chia seeds. While you could stick to just oats and milk, adding extras like chocolate chips or berries is a great way to elevate the flavor and make it extra delicious.

Chicken Nugget Salad

Don’t overthink it—channel your inner child and make some chicken nuggets (extra points if they’re dinosaur-shaped). When I asked my friend Zoe for her favorite dorm meal, her response was simple: 'Chicken nuggets.' I’ve also shared my love for putting fried chicken on salads, so why not take this up a notch by placing your chicken nuggets on a bagged salad? You’ll get your veggies and protein, but still have all the fun of eating nuggets.

While I’m looking forward to the day when I have access to a real kitchen and can cook 'real' dinners, it’s comforting to know that these simple two-ingredient meals will always be around. The only downside is that I won’t be able to use 'I don’t know what to make' as an excuse to order takeout. But with these easy meal ideas, I’ll always have a go-to dinner when I need it.