Microwave Bowl Pasta Quick (Print Version)

A speedy method for cooking pasta directly in a bowl using just a microwave.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2.5 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Sauce & Toppings

04 - ⅓ cup marinara, pesto, or Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
05 - 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
06 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Place the dried pasta in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add water and salt, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged. Add more water if necessary.
02 - Microwave the bowl uncovered on high for 4 minutes. Stir the pasta thoroughly after this interval.
03 - Microwave in additional 2 to 3-minute increments, stirring after each, until the pasta reaches an al dente texture, approximately 8 to 12 minutes total. Adjust time according to microwave power.
04 - Carefully remove the bowl and test the pasta. If undercooked, microwave 1 to 2 more minutes as needed.
05 - Drain excess water using a fine-mesh sieve or carefully tilt the bowl while using a fork or spoon to hold back the pasta.
06 - Immediately stir in your chosen sauce to coat the hot pasta evenly. Top with Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs if desired, then season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Serve the prepared pasta hot, ensuring all toppings are well distributed.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No pasta pot, no colander, no guilt when you're too tired to do dishes afterward.
  • Eight to twelve minutes between craving and eating, no shortcuts needed.
  • Works in dorms, offices, tiny kitchens, or anywhere with a microwave and a bowl you don't mind getting hot.
02 -
  • The first four minutes of microwaving matter most—rushing this step leads to unevenly cooked pasta, so don't skip it for shorter bursts.
  • The bowl gets genuinely hot; I learned this the hard way by grabbing it bare-handed and yelping loud enough to scare my cat.
  • Stirring between intervals prevents one corner of the bowl from becoming a pasta brick while the other side barely softens.
03 -
  • If your microwave runs hot, start checking pasta at six minutes instead of eight—better to catch it early than overshoil it by two minutes.
  • Keep the pasta moving during cooking; it sticks to itself like it's plotting against you, but a fork prevents disaster.
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