Sometimes, you just need comfort food — and nothing beats mac and cheese. The only problem? Dorm life doesn’t exactly come with a stovetop. So, I figured out how to make a quick, cheesy, allergy-friendly version right in my microwave. No dairy, no mess, no problem.

Here’s my go-to recipe for Dairy-Free Mug Mac & Cheese — perfect for lunch, late-night studying, or whenever you want something warm and cozy.

A couple things to note about the recipe: (1) I like to use a bigger mug so the water doesn’t boil over as easy. This one is perfect because it is microwave safe and has plenty of room. (2) As you make the recipe more and more, you can start to “wing it” with the proportions, but I recommend starting with exact measurements, using measuring cups and measuring spoons, (3) the hardest part of the recipe is making sure the water doesn’t boil over the top of the mug. The way to avoid this is to keep an eye on the mug as it microwaves and when you start to see bubbles come up to the top of the mug, open the microwave, give the pasta a stir, and then start it up again. You might need to do this frequently in the first few minutes. Once the water level has gone down and it’s not bubbling up as much, you should still stop it every 30-45 sec to stir. (4) This Violife Dairy-Free shredded cheese is my favorite! If you can’t find it in a local store or have it delivered, you can also ask in your dining hall. When we have tacos at our allergy station the chef puts out dairy-free cheese. I will ask him if I can have a little to take home and then I use that to make my mac and cheese in my dorm room.

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup uncooked pasta (I think elbow pasta works best)
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp water
• ¼ cup shredded dairy-free cheese
• 2 tsp dairy-free milk (I use oat milk… you can buy shelf stable oat milk that doesn’t need to be refigerated until after you open it. I usually buy a 6-pack of Plant Oat Oatmilk to keep on hand)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add pasta and water to a microwave-safe mug (at least 14 oz, like this one).
2. Microwave for 5–6 minutes, stopping and stirring every time the water starts to rise near the top.
3. Around the 5-minute mark, check the pasta for doneness — it should be tender and most of the water absorbed.
4. Stir in the shredded cheese, then microwave another 20 seconds to melt it.
5. Add oat milk and stir until creamy.
6. Season with salt and pepper if you like — or just enjoy it plain!

That’s it! In less than 10 minutes, you’ve got a hot, cheesy snack that’s completely dairy-free and allergy-friendly. Perfect for dorm life and late-night cravings.

If you try it, tag #CampusAllergyLife so I can see your mug creations!

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