Need inspiration for delicious microwave meals for cooking in a hotel room? You know I did too. After a lot of personal testing, I’m pleased to bring you my guide for how to steer clear of frozen meals and make a fresh healthy meal simply by getting creative with what you have for cooking in a hotel room.
Hey everyone, Phillip here, with some of the healthiest microwavable meals that you can make in a hotel room. Whether you travel a lot for work, or simply love weekend getaways and spend a lot of time away from your kitchen, this guide is for you.
For three years, I had to travel for work for an entire week once a month due to Tiffany’s Crohn’s flaring after we had our first child. If you’re interested, you can read Our Guide For Living With A Chronic Illness.
While on the road, the first few months were fun – I got a nice stipend for eating out. Since Tiffany’s health doesn’t allow her to experiment with different restaurants very often, I enjoyed this time to explore new dishes.
After a while, though, eating rich foods started to make me feel sick. I tried ordering salads at restaurants, but nothing seemed to really feel healthy. Tiffany’s focus on a positive body image was starting to wear off on on me. So I began to just go to the grocery store and buy things like apples, bread, and lunch meats to eat. That got old.
Over time (and lots of trial and error), I came up with 13 meals that felt like I was actually eating home-cooked food instead of a frozen dinner. And I know there are healthy frozen meals out there, but nothing tastes as good as a home cooked meal to me! Think sweet potatoes, chicken breasts, delicious sauces, as well as gluten free and dairy free options to eat a complete meal.
These dishes won’t only be satisfying and filling, but they won’t make you feel sluggish or tired that the whole family will love. Best of all, they take just minutes to make and could easily be a healthy choice or a good bit of comfort food when you’ve got a lot of busy nights to juggle.And if your kids like making their own food, then they’ll love our Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board Ideas!
Healthy Meals You Can Make in a Hotel Room
Some of these meals are healthy, some are more comfort food. But they are all budget-friendly, simple, and better than fast food!
1. Bagel Pizzas
Slice a bagel in half and warm it up in the microwave. (If your hotel room or the hotel kitchen has a toaster, that’s even better!)
Top with pasta sauce, shredded cheese, and pepperoni slices. Warm up for 30 more seconds in the microwave.
2. Pasta & Chicken
Here’s an easy, healthy dinner for you! Have you tried these Barilla ready pouches? It’s a quick way to get pasta in the microwave (that doesn’t taste like pasta in the microwave). So here’s what you do:
- Cook up the Barilla ready pasta
- Tear apart the Rotisserie chicken
- Warm up some alfredo or pasta sauce
- Cook up microwave frozen vegetables
Prepare chicken, veggies, and tomato sauce and mix all in with the pasta, and you have a delicious family staple ready!
3. Quesadillas
Get two tortilla shells and either lunch meat (ham) or Rotisserie chicken. Put the meat on one of the tortilla shells along with shredded cheese, and warm in the microwave until the cheese is melted.This is almost one of our favorite 5 minute meals for picky eaters
4. Mini Microwave French Toast
When you need French toast in a flash! 1, 2, 3 in the microwave, gluten-free and vegan; breakfast will never be boring again with this mini microwave French Toast, even when you’re in a rush! Plus there’s no mess to clean up!
5. Cinnamon Apples
Peel and cut an apple into slices or bite-size chunks. Put apple into a bowl or a mug. Add 2 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 2 tsp of cinnamon.
Cook in the microwave for 90-120 seconds for a delicious breakfast or dessert! It’s a perfect microwave meal you can make at your hotel!
6. Savory Veggie Quinoa Flakes
Looking for a savory protein-packed breakfast recipe that’s gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free? A quick & easy healthy bowl of savory veggie quinoa flakes will nourish and fill you up with what you need!
7. Cauliflower Macaroni & Cheese
Microwave 3/4 cups of frozen cauliflower in a lidded bowl for a minute. Chop into small pieces and microwave for another 50 seconds.
Added about 1 oz of shredded cheese and microwave for 10 more seconds. Then stir in 1 Tbsp of heavy cream until a sauce forms for an extremely healthy macaroni and cheese!It tastes almost as good as our Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, or the macaroni cheese we make from scratch.
8. Mediterranean Couscous Tuna Bowls
If you can heat up water in a kettle or a microwave, you can make this flavor-packed Mediterranean couscous bowl with shelf-stable ingredients!
9. Omelet
In a bowl or a mug, mix two large eggs, 2 Tbps shredded cheese, and any other omelet mix-ins you prefer (like lunch meat ham or peppers).Microwave for one minute, stir, and then microwave for another minute (or until eggs are set). Then top with more cheese for a simple microwave breakfast (that does not have rubbery eggs)!
10. Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
Cut a spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. Place the prepared spaghetti squash flesh side down in a bowl and fill it with 1″ of water. Cook for 10-15 minutes in the microwave until the squash is tender.
Use a fork to scrape the inside of the squash to create “spaghetti noodles” of squash. Toss into a bowl with 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 2 Tbsp oil, and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder. You can add in some basil, ground pepper, and salt to taste if you want.
11. Loaded Baked Potato
These chili loaded baked potatoes can easily be made in the microwave when cooking in a hotel room. They’re an easy and filling dinner option.
12. Rice & Beans
Get a cup of minute rice, and purchase a can of Bean with Bacon soup. Cook the soup in the microwave with half the water than the recipe calls for, and you get a nice coup with broth.
Then get some pork or other meat from the deli of the grocery store and add it in for a nice meal of rice and beans with meat.
13. Vegetarian Rice Bowl with Chickpeas and Tomato
A balanced meal made in a microwave? Yes, it’s possible–and easy to make. Enjoy this delicious vegeterian rice bowl with chickpeas and tomato.
An earlier version of this post was written by Tiffany on The Crazy Shopping Cart
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