Microwave Pasta Recipe (2024)

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Microwave Pasta is one of the easiest mug recipes. It is a one-pot pasta dish that takes less than 10 minutes in a microwave.

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Trending Mug Recipes

The credit for popularizing easy-peasy mug recipes goes to short video format on social media platforms. These mug recipes perfectly fit in the 60-second video frame and anyone with a microwave can make them. You don’t need a full-fledged kitchen or a pro-level cooking experience.

From mug pasta, omelet, bread pudding, and chocolate mug cake to dhokla, these mug recipes are always trending among food lovers on Instagram or Tik Tok.

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Microwave Mug Pasta

Microwave Mug Pasta is one of my favorite one-pot recipes for busy weekdays. You don’t have to bother about boiling pasta separately on a stovetop or preparing the sauce. All you have to do is dump it all in a mug and hit the microwave button.

And trust me it tastes delicious and so much better than the packaged instant pasta with a preservative-loaded tastemaker.

More Reasons To LOVE Mug Pasta

  • highly customizable
  • delicious and fulfilling
  • takes less than 10 minutes
  • minimum effort, maximum flavor
  • perfect dish for Airbnb stay or college dorm rooms
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Ingredients Required

Pasta: Use small, bite-size pasta like shell, elbow, or macaroni.

Cheese: You can add cheese of your choice to this microwave pasta. I love the combination of mozzarella and parmesan.

Pasta Sauce: From marinara, arrabbiata, and Picante, to Bolognese, pick a good quality, flavorsome pasta sauce.

Cherry Tomato: You can add green peas, sweet corn, sun-dried tomato, or any other easy-to-cook vegetable to this mug pasta.

Herbs: Fresh Italian Basil, Chives, Parsley, they all taste great.

Other Ingredients: Milk, Garlic, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Italian Herbs (Oregano, Chili Flakes, Thyme), Olive, Water

Equipment: A microwave-safe, large-size coffee mug and of course the microwave.

How To Make

Step 1) Add pasta, water, garlic, salt, and olive to a mug. Stir to combine (image 1). Microwave at full power for 5 minutes. Stir after 2 ½ minutes to avoid lump formation (image 2).

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Step 2) Once pasta is cooked, add tomato sauce, cherry tomato, milk, seasoning, and cheese, and stir to combine to coat each piece of pasta with sauce (images 4 & 5).

Step 3) Microwave once again for 2 minutes. By now cheese will melt, the sauce is thick and creamy, and the pasta is ready to eat. Garnish with olives and fresh herbs.

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My Tried & True Tips

DO NOT USE big-size pasta like penne, farfalle, or spaghetti for this pasta recipe. The smaller, bite-size pasta cooks quickly and easily in a microwave.

The cooking time of pasta may vary from 5 – 8 minutes depending upon the quality and quantity. For 1 Cup of durum wheat semolina pasta, it takes 8 minutes on high power for a perfectly al-dente texture. Make sure to stir the pasta halfway through the cooking time.

DO NOT OVERFILL your mug. As pasta shells need room for expansion while boiling in water. Also, overfilling might lead to liquid spillage all over the microwave glass tray.

Follow the microwave pasta recipe measurements otherwise, you might end up with a big bowl of uncooked or overcooked mess.

Be careful when handling the mug loaded with pasta.Allow time to let the pasta/mug cool down a bit or use mittens to handle the mug.

DO NOT USE Bambino Macaroni or other light-quality pasta for cooking in a microwave. They get mushy, sticky, and break apart.

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More Pasta Recipes

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Makhani Sauce Pasta

Chicken Broccoli Pasta

Instant Pot Pumpkin Pasta

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Microwave Pasta Recipe (7)Pin

Microwave Pasta Recipe

Microwave Pasta is one of the easiest mug recipes. Learn how to make 10-minute mug pasta in a few simple steps.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 765kcal

Author: Hina Gujral

  • Coffee Mug

  • Microwave

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup elbow pasta, uncooked
  • 1 Cup water
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ Cup milk
  • 2 tablespoon tomato pasta sauce (see recipe)
  • ¼ Cup cherry tomato, cut into halves
  • 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella or pizza cheese
  • ½ tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, sage etc)
  • 1 teaspoon green onion or chives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon black olives, sliced

Instructions

  • Add pasta, water, garlic, salt, and olive to a mug. Stir to combine. Place the mug inside the microwave. Close the door of the microwave. Set the microwave button for 5 minutes at full power. Stir the pasta after 2 ½ minutes to avoid lump formation. And cook once again for the remaining 2 ½ minutes.

  • Once pasta is cooked or al-dente, add tomato sauce, cherry tomato, milk, seasoning, and cheese. Stir to combine to coat each piece of pasta with sauce. Taste and add more seasoning if required.

  • Microwave the pasta once again for 2 minutes. By now cheese will be nicely melted, the sauce thickens, and the pasta is ready to eat. Garnish with olives and fresh herbs.

  • Microwave Pasta is ready to serve!

Recipe Notes:

  • The cooking time of pasta may vary from 5 – 8 minutes depending upon the quality and quantity. For 1 Cup of durum wheat semolina pasta, it takes 8 minutes on high power for a perfectly al-dente texture. So I would recommend checking your pasta after 2 ½ minutes.
  • DO NOT USE Bambino Macaroni or other light-quality pastafor cooking in a microwave. They get mushy, sticky, and break apart.
  • Store the leftover pasta in the mug covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It will last about 3 – 4 days in the fridge, although it is best consumed immediately. Add a splash of water or milk while reheating in a microwave.
  • Be careful while handling the hot mug. The microwave heat makes the glass object very hot to touch or handle.

Nutrition

Calories: 765kcal | Carbohydrates: 113g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 3799mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 488IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 3mg

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating. This helps us grow and reach more food lovers like you.

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Microwave Pasta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook pasta in the microwave? ›

Yes, it is possible to cook pasta in the microwave. Place your pasta in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water and microwave on High for the same amount of time stated on the packet directions, plus 3 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and stir in your favourite pasta sauce.

Is microwaved pasta good? ›

Purists might insist that boiling in salt water is the only way to cook pasta, but the microwave holds its own when it comes to perfectly al dente noodles. Not only is it faster than boiling water on the stove, but it's also more convenient and saves precious time in the kitchen. Why use an Anyday?

Can you cook egg noodles in the microwave? ›

Add egg noodles or pasta to a microwave-safe bowl with tall walls. It is important it has tall sides because water tends to bubble over when cooking pasta. Lightly cover, then microwave for 6 – 10 minutes, or until the noodles are soft, ensuring it does not bubble over.

How long does it take to microwave uncooked pasta? ›

How long does it take to cook pasta in the microwave? We used a 900W microwave to test, so lower wattage microwaves may vary, but it takes around 9-10 mins to cook pasta. It is best to cook it on high for 5 mins, then continue to cook and check every minute to ensure it doesn't stick or overcook.

Does microwave pasta taste the same? ›

Food with a high water content that is cooked in a microwave tastes just like it has been boiled, but if you microwave food with a lower water content, the little moisture it originally had gets steamed out of it, leaving the food unpalatably dry and brittle. It depends on what you are cooking.

How do you make microwave pasta taste better? ›

Reheated pasta can sometimes lack the freshness and texture of freshly made pasta, but there are several tricks you can use to make it taste better: Add a Splash of Water: When reheating pasta, especially in the microwave, add a small amount of water (about a tablespoon per serving) to the dish before reheating.

How do you cook pasta without boiling it? ›

You can simply cook the pasta in whatever sauce you're planning to toss it with. It takes longer and the trick is to add more sauce. You can also make lasagna without pre-boiling the noodles. You'll need more sauce and more time.

Can you microwave Barilla pasta? ›

Yes, because Ready Pasta is already fully cooked but we don't recommend it. Heating for 60 seconds in the microwave or in a skillet is recommended to bring the product to the optimal texture for eating.

Can I microwave its skinny pasta? ›

You can heat It's Skinny with your method of choice—stovetop or microwave for approximately 2 minutes. For a quick and easy “no break-fast(Opens in a new window)” pasta, simply microwave It's Skinny with a small amount of butter, herbs, salt, and pepper.

How do you keep pasta moist in the microwave? ›

Adding a bit of extra sauce, a splash of water, or even a drizzle of olive oil helps keep your pasta from drying out. Cover: Using a microwave-safe lid or some plastic wrap helps trap steam, adding moisture and heating the pasta evenly.

Is it better to boil or microwave noodles? ›

If you do want to microwave a pot noodle, you can empty the contents of the pot into a microwave-safe bowl, and then microwave it for a few minutes. However, it's better to be safe and cook it on the stove top according to the instructions on the package.

How do you cook macaroni in the microwave? ›

Place the pasta, water, and salt in a deep, microwave-safe bowl and stir to combine. Microwave the pasta for 2 minutes. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes, then stir. Watch to see if the water is foaming over the side of the bowl and stir earlier if needed.

Can you make ramen in the microwave? ›

Cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes, or for the indicated cooking time in the back of the package. Cooked noodles should be tender, bouncy, and easily spin on a fork or chopsticks. Add the seasoning packet, if desired. Customize with your favorite toppings like an egg or strain and use in quick noodle dishes.

How do you cook pasta without a stove? ›

These methods will help you cook pasta even without a hob, which is pretty straightforward and handy!
  1. #1. Microwave method. Microwaving pasta works quite well. ...
  2. #2. Slow cooker method. ...
  3. #3. Electric kettle method. ...
  4. #4. Soak method. ...
  5. #5. Rice cooker method.
Feb 23, 2021

Does microwaving pasta make it healthier? ›

It doesn't actually lower the calories, but it does cause chemical changes that cause your body to digest the reheated pasta differently than fresh cooked. Reheated pasta causes less of a spike in blood insulin levels and makes the carbohydrates harder to digest, like fiber.

Does pasta get softer in microwave? ›

I can't boil it but I want it softer. If your pasta dinner is ruined you can save it by adding a little water and place in a quart pot and simmer on LOW x 15 minutes. Or, place in the microwave for 6 minutes.

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