Methods for Microwaving Pasta to Perfection in Under 5 Minutes

This recipe is the answer to your microwave pasta cooking questions. Pasta cooked in the microwave for 5 minutes tastes the same as pasta cooked in a pot on the stove. It's amazing, I swear. In addition, the pasta is finished with butter and parmesan cheese, making this dish even more delicious.

Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl, next to a block of grated parmesan cheese on a wood board.

The Finest Instant Noodles for the Microwave Oven

Pasta noodles no longer require a separate stovetop cooking step.

This microwave pasta cooking method is a lifesaver when you need a fast and simple solution to cooking pasta but don't have access to a stove. In all honesty, it completely changes the game.

Noodles can be cooked in the microwave in as little as 5 minutes with the same ingredients used to boil pasta. It really only takes that long to cook pasta to perfection.  

Then you can eat it as-is, dress it up with some butter and parmesan, or prepare the sauce from this Gigi Hadid pasta recipe. This al dente pasta is delicious in any preparation.

By the way, if you're looking for some more conventional microwave recipes to try, I highly recommend this microwave chocolate chip cookie and these microwave pancakes.

Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork grabbing a bite of pasta.

Ingredients

You'll need the same things you'd use to make pasta in a pot on the stove, as I mentioned before.

Then I just added a few simple ingredients to make the butter noodles taste like they came from a fancy restaurant. At least, I believe they do; however, you'll just have to test it out for yourself to be sure.

To cook pasta in the microwave, you'll need the following:

  • Dry Pasta, 1 Cup
  • 1.5 liters of Milk
  • Added salt
  • 1 tbsp Topping with butter
  • 3 tbsp Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • To taste, black pepper
  • As a garnish, parsley

How incredibly easy!

By the way, you can use some of these ingredients to make this chicken pesto pasta if you want a more refined pasta dish. In all honesty, it ranks up there with the best simple pasta dishes I've ever prepared.

An assortment of ingredients for microwaving pasta including a jar of uncooked pasta, parmesan cheese, butter, and parsley.

Suggestions and Alternatives for Ingredients

Now, what I really like about this recipe is that it can be modified to suit your tastes. In all candor, there is no one correct response.  

Smaller dry pasta shapes, such as macaroni and bowtie, are my preference. Using spaghetti noodles will make this recipe more challenging, but you can try out other types of pasta if you like.  

Feel free to get inventive by tossing in some red pepper flakes, everything but the bagel seasoning, garlic powder, grilled chicken, or shrimp to the cooked pasta noodles for some added spice and flavor. The shrimp scampi is the cherry on top of this dish.

To make your microwave noodles even heartier, try adding some vegetables like broccoli and diced bell peppers.  

Oh, and you can use any sauce you like when cooking the pasta.

A blue bowl of uncooked pasta with a pitcher pouring water into the bowl.

Instructions for Microwaving Pasta

Pasta cooked in a microwave is about as easy as it gets. It's so simple that even a child could do it; all you have to do is microwave the ingredients.

I have faith in your ability to make perfect pasta even if you've never cooked before.

That being said, let's not dally any longer and get to microwaving some pasta.

Blue bowl of cooked bowtie pasta next to a shredded block of parmesan cheese.

First, prepare the pasta.

You should begin by locating a sizable bowl. Since cooked pasta doubles in volume, it's important that the pot is both large enough to hold the pasta and deep enough to accommodate its growth. Get your largest microwave-safe bowl and set it aside.

Now, choose a dry pasta and add enough water to cover it (about 2 cups should do it), along with a pinch of salt. You can always add more salt if necessary, so don't stress about getting it just right.

Cooked pasta being strained and put into a white serving bowl.

Cooking the Pasta in the Microwave

The next step is to microwave the pasta for three to four minutes after adding salt and water to the bowl.

When the timer goes off, remove the pasta from the microwave and stir it thoroughly to separate the noodles. The pasta can then be reheated in the microwave for additional 1-minute intervals with stirring in between until it reaches the desired doneness.

I prefer my pasta al dente, so I take it out of the pot at the four-minute mark.  

A bowl of microwaved pasta next to a small bowl of parmesan cheese.

Third, finish cooking the pasta.

Once the pasta has reached the desired doneness, drain it and place it in a separate bowl.

Adding seasoning to the microwaved pasta is the next step. After the pasta is done cooking, add the butter, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and black pepper and toss to combine, making sure that every noodle is coated in the sauce.

Last but not least, I like to top the pasta with additional parmesan cheese and serve it hot with some fresh bread or one of my garlic cheese bread recipes.

Finally, after two minutes, remove the pasta from the heat. Then, tuck in and savor it

A bowl of microwaved pasta with a fork in the bowl.

Preserving Pasta for Microwave Use

This simple pasta dish yields enough for one hearty meal.

Simply multiply the ingredients by two or three if you need more, and transfer the mixture to a larger container. Oh, and remember that you'll need to microwave the pasta for a longer period of time if you're cooking a larger quantity.

Pasta that has been cooked and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator will keep for three to five days. Even better, the leftovers taste great the next day. Don't be nervous about putting them away.

Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl and grated parmesan cheese in the background.

Pasta Reheating in the Microwave

Although pasta can be eaten cold, most people prefer to heat it before eating. And for that, the microwave is ready and waiting.  

The leftover pasta can be reheated quickly by microwaving it with a splash of water for 20 seconds at a time and stirring it in between until it reaches the desired temperature.  

Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl and grated parmesan cheese in the background.

In Conclusion

That, then, is the proper way to cook pasta in the microwave.

I hope this simple pasta recipe dispels any notion that pasta preparation is difficult.

This microwave pasta is a great way to save time and effort when you don't have access to a stove. When I was a college student living in the residence halls, that was often the case for me.

Anyway, if you tried it, please share your feedback in the comments.

Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram channels for even more delectable delights. Every day, we update them with new recipes.

Close up of a fork holding pieces of pasta cooked in the microwave.

Pasta: Even More Dishes to Make

We have a ton of other simple pasta recipes on the blog that you should try if you like this one.  

Some of my favorites are listed below.

Print
Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork grabbing a bite of pasta.

This recipe will show you how to prepare pasta in the microwave. Pasta can be cooked in the microwave in 5 minutes, and it will taste just as good as when cooked on the stove. It's amazing, I swear. In addition, the pasta is finished with butter and parmesan cheese, making this dish even more delicious.

  • Author: B. Cunningham Brendan
  • Prep Time: 1 minute
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Period of Time: 6 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1 x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: Pasta

1 cup Dried noodles

2 cups Water

Added salt

1 tbsp Spreadable butter.

3 tbsp Cheese Parmesan, Shredded

A dash of black pepper

As a garnish, parsley

  1. The pasta will expand to double its original size, so be sure to use a bowl that can accommodate this growth.
  2. Put the dry pasta in a bowl and add enough salted water to cover it.
  3. Microwave the bowl for four to five minutes on high.
  4. If additional cooking time of 1 minute increments is required, stir the pasta to prevent sticking.
  5. Take the bowl out of the microwave once the pasta is cooked, then strain it.
  6. Return the cooked pasta to the bowl and stir in the butter, Parmesan, parsley, and a pinch each of black and white pepper. Blend the ingredients together.
  7. Wait a few minutes for the pasta to cool, and then dig in!
  • Portion Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 389
  • Fat: 18
  • Carbohydrates: 44
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 12

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