A thermal management system includes an evaporator that includes at least one cold plate configured to extract heat from one or more heat loads in proximity to the evaporator. The cold plate includes a housing and a plurality of channels disposed through the housing, with at least one of the plurality of channels being a meandered channel. The system further includes a receiver configured to store refrigerant fluid, the receiver disposed in a refrigerant fluid path with the evaporator; and an expansion valve positioned between the receiver and the evaporator in the refrigerant fluid path. The expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant fluid from the receiver and deliver a mixed liquid/vapor refrigerant to the evaporator.