For many college students, the allure of the dining hall wears off quickly. The endless buffets viewed with wonder by incoming freshmen quickly turn into a bland rotation of familiar options, and within a few weeks, Mom’s cooking seems like a far-away dream from the omelet lines on a Saturday morning.  

The solution to this common problem lies beneath students’ feet. McGloin Market is an unassuming goldmine—a diamond in the rough. Among the shelves of chips, candy and paper towels, and next to the 4-foot-tall monument of beef jerky, there are a few treasures: lifesavers for hungry college students. 

All you need is a little effort, creativity and a small frying pan. The recipes below require little more than this. 

Besides the frozen meals, one thing McGloin Market does well is “Taco Tuesday.” The market supplies everything you might need to make tacos and more. Hard and soft shells, ground beef, cheese, salsa, tomatoes, peppers, beans and rice can be mixed with taco seasoning and tomato paste in a frying pan to make some easy tacos or other Mexican-style meals.  

“Taco Tuesday” doesn’t just have to include tacos or even occur on Tuesdays. The same ingredients can be used for burritos or burrito bowls on Wednesday, quesadillas on Thursday and nachos for Sunday football.  

McGloin Market also contains all the essentials for a complete American breakfast: eggs, bacon, juice, Eggo waffles and pancake mix. If you choose to make your own pancakes or waffles, McGloin Market also offers all baking essentials. It’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning with friends instead of eating at Brandeis. 

To bring a special flair to brunch, consider making some French toast. It’s easier than you think. Soak sliced bread in a mix of beaten milk and eggs (you can add some vanilla, cinnamon and butter for extra flavor) and fry it in a pan. Add powdered sugar, syrup and berries to finish it off.  

Stir-fry is another classic: easy and adaptable. Dress up some ramen by ditching the flavor packet and frying the cooked noodles with soy sauce, brown sugar, peanut butter and siracha. Add bacon with some peppers, tomatoes, canned vegetables or whatever you like. 

Similarly, microwave rice packets topped with a fried egg or tuna and a mix of sauces make for a super easy dinner after class.  

Now let’s talk about protein. Everyone these days is trying to hit their macros, but you don’t need to rely on the available ground beef and rice to get your protein.  

McGloin Market has bacon, eggs, brats and hotdogs, sausage, tuna and yogurt—an under-rated breakfast, afternoon snack or even light dinner. Of course, there is always the impressive beef jerky section as well.  

Sloppy joes are a great option for some home-style cooking that can also feed a crowd. Made with ground beef and a sauce of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt and pepper on a hamburger bun, they can be topped with pickles, cheese or potato chips for some added texture. 

Make use of the sauces McGloin Market supplies; flavor is key for keeping meals interesting. 

The market stocks ice cream, cookie dough, donuts, all types of candy, boxed cake mix and canned frosting, but when you’re craving something warm and comforting, try a mug cake. 

Mug cakes have been highly debated over the years, but boxed brownie mix as a base creates a perfect single-serving dessert within the comfort of your own microwave. Combine a half cup of brownie mix with milk and one egg white in one coffee mug and microwave the mug for 90 seconds. The proportions and timing are forgiving, so experimentation is part of the process. Add chocolate chips or Nutella to the mix and top with ice cream or sweetened condensed milk for extra decadence.  

Remember: an easy formula is base (carbs), protein, veggies and seasoning. Don’t be afraid to get creative and spend your dining dollars on flavors that break the dining hall routine.