Recently, the weather has taken a distinct turn towards fall. The leaves are changing, pumpkins patches are open and Halloween is fast approaching. However, the weather is getting colder and colder by the day. 

For college students, who mainly walk to get around campus, this change is not always welcome. Some may find themselves wishing they didn’t have to leave their dorm rooms, especially on cloudy or rainy days. 

Even walking to the Marketplace, Jay’s Nest, Fresh Nest or Jay Truck can be a hassle in the cold. Luckily, there are a number of meals students can make without having to step foot outside their dorm!

The best recipes for hungry college students are simple ones. On a cold fall day, there’s nothing better than a warm cup of soup: it’s quick, easy and pairs well with the weather outside. 

My favorite way to make soup on campus is with a simple packet mix, specifically Lipton’s Cup-a-Soup instant mixes. These are great to make in the microwave or with a Keurig, so students don’t have to leave their rooms. But, sometimes these mixes don’t have quite enough substance.

An extra add-in to simple soup mixes could be plain white rice. Most grocery stores sell small containers of rice that microwave in a minute or less; this is easy to prepare and something you can add to an instant soup for a more filling meal. 

It may not be gourmet, but this combination is an easy dorm meal that requires almost no preparation and few ingredients. This works well for students who don’t have the supplies for a more involved meal in residence hall kitchens, but who don’t want to venture outside to the Marketplace. In addition, this is a great meal for someone who needs to eat quickly before class—this can be cooked and assembled in under five minutes. While it isn’t anything fancy, this meal is just right for fall and convenient college living.