Microwave Bowl Pasta (Printable View)

Prepare tender pasta in a microwave-safe bowl in 12 minutes. Perfect for quick meals and small kitchens with minimal equipment.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 3 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni)

→ Liquids

02 - 1 ½ cups water
03 - ¼ tsp salt

→ Optional Add-Ins

04 - 1 tsp olive oil or butter
05 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 tbsp marinara sauce or pesto

# How To Make It:

01 - Place the dried pasta in a large, microwave-safe bowl ensuring it fills no more than half the bowl. Add water and salt, stirring to combine.
02 - Microwave uncovered on high power for 4 minutes.
03 - Stir the pasta thoroughly, then microwave in 2-minute intervals, stirring after each interval, until pasta reaches al dente texture and most water is absorbed (total cook time 8–10 minutes depending on pasta shape and microwave wattage).
04 - If any excess water remains, carefully drain from the bowl.
05 - Stir in olive oil or butter, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and sauce if using. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The water-to-pasta ratio Ive perfected here ensures your pasta cooks evenly without becoming gummy or starchy.
  • Its truly kitchen-proof cooking thats impossible to mess up even when youre multitasking through emails or helping with homework.
02 -
  • Never cover the bowl while microwaving pasta or youll end up with a volcanic pasta eruption and a microwave cleanup project.
  • The pasta will continue cooking slightly after removing from the microwave, so its better to undercook by 30 seconds if you prefer a firmer texture.
03 -
  • For creamier pasta without any dairy, reserve about 2 tablespoons of the starchy cooking water before draining and stir it back in with your olive oil to create a silky emulsion that coats every piece.
  • Sprinkle dried herbs like basil or oregano into the water before cooking rather than after, as the hot water blooms their flavors directly into the pasta.
Go Back