How to Cook Pasta in Microwave: A 101 Guide for Students
Did you know that you don’t actually need a fancy stove to make a delicious Italian dinner? In fact, learning how to cook pasta in microwave is one of the most useful skills for any college student living in a dorm. Whether you want to save money on energy bills or simply don’t have enough space in your shared kitchen, this hack is a lifesaver.
Therefore, we have prepared this step-by-step guide to help you cook your favorite meal in mere minutes. Furthermore, this method is often faster than waiting for a giant pot of water to boil on a hob.
Why Cook Pasta in the Microwave?
First of all, microwaves are the quiet workhorses of most busy student households. Besides being easy to use, they are incredibly energy-efficient. Consequently, microwaving can be one of the cheapest ways of cooking, which is great for your student budget.
Moreover, you might be under-utilizing your microwave. For instance, it is not just for reheating leftovers; it can successfully cook dishes ranging from mug cakes to risotto. In addition, cooking pasta in the microwave means less cleanup time compared to the traditional method.
Which Pasta Types Work Best?
Before you start, it is important to choose the right shape. Generally, short pasta types are best suited to microwave cooking. Specifically, shapes such as:
- Macaroni
- Fusilli
- Penne
However, longer pasta types like spaghetti can also be cooked. In that case, you will need a deep, wide microwave-safe dish to ensure that the pasta is completely submerged in water.
Step-by-Step Recipe: Microwave Pasta
To begin with, you will need a few simple tools: a microwave-safe large bowl, a wooden spoon, and your microwave (we used a 900W model).
Ingredients
- 75g pasta (we recommend penne)
- 400ml boiling water
- Salt
- Sauce of your choice (Pesto, Marinara, or plain butter)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Bowl First, tip the pasta into a microwave-safe bowl and season well with salt. It is crucial to make sure the bowl is large enough. Since the pasta will expand and bubble up as it cooks, you don’t want it to spill over. Next, pour around 400ml of boiling water over the top. Make sure the pasta is completely covered.
2. The Initial Cook Subsequently, place the bowl in the microwave. Set it to High power for 4-5 minutes. After that, take it out carefully and give it a good stir so it doesn’t stick together.
3. Finish Cooking Then, return the bowl to the microwave. Heat on High for 2-minute intervals, stirring it each time. Usually, it should take around 9-10 minutes total to achieve “al dente” pasta.
4. Drain and Serve Finally, check the texture. If it is soft enough, drain the water well. As a result, you now have perfectly cooked pasta ready to be tossed with your favorite sauce.
Common Questions
How long does it really take?
As mentioned above, we used a 900W microwave to test. However, lower wattage microwaves may vary. Generally, it takes around 9-10 minutes. On the other hand, if you use cold tap water instead of boiling water, it will take around 11-12 minutes.
How should I serve it?
Ultimately, this dish is best served with a simple sauce. For example, you can toss through some pesto or heat up a quick bolognese sauce. Furthermore, if you are feeling creative, check out our [5-Minute Mug Cake Recipe] for dessert!
And if you want to learn more tips we welcome you to our website!
Source: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-microwave
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