Microwave Bowl Pasta Quick (Print)

Quick bowl pasta cooked in microwave with sauce and optional cheese and herbs.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 2.5 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Sauce & Toppings

04 - 1/3 cup marinara, pesto, or Alfredo sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
06 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Place dried pasta in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Add water and salt, ensuring pasta is fully submerged. Add more water if necessary.
02 - Microwave uncovered on high power for 4 minutes. Stir the pasta thoroughly.
03 - Microwave in additional 2 to 3-minute increments, stirring after each, until pasta reaches al dente texture (total cooking time 8 to 12 minutes). Cooking times may vary depending on microwave.
04 - Carefully remove the bowl from microwave (it will be hot). Check pasta for doneness and microwave an additional 1 to 2 minutes if required.
05 - Drain the pasta using a fine-mesh sieve or by carefully tilting the bowl while holding pasta back with a fork or spoon.
06 - Immediately toss hot pasta with your chosen sauce until evenly coated. Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fewer dishes means more time doing literally anything else.
  • Perfect for late nights, lazy afternoons, or when your kitchen setup is limited.
  • The pasta somehow tastes fresher when it cooks right in the sauce.
02 -
  • If your pasta comes out gummy or stuck together, you didn't stir it enough during cooking—next time, stir after every round without fail.
  • Different microwave wattages cook at different speeds, so the first time you make this, stay close by and don't wander off.
03 -
  • Use a bowl that's definitely microwave-safe and big enough to handle bubbling water—too-small bowls overflow, and it's a mess.
  • If you're cooking for two, just double the pasta, water, and salt in the same bowl; the timing stays roughly the same.
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