Microwave Bowl Pasta Dish (Printable)

Easy pasta cooked in the microwave with minimal fuss for a quick, flavorful meal option.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

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

→ Sauce & Toppings

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

# Preparation steps:

01 - Place dried pasta in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Add water and salt, ensuring pasta is fully submerged; add more water if needed.
02 - Microwave uncovered on high for 4 minutes, then stir well.
03 - Microwave in 2–3 minute increments, stirring after each interval, until pasta is al dente (8 to 12 minutes total; microwave wattage varies).
04 - Carefully remove bowl and verify pasta texture; microwave an additional 1–2 minutes if necessary.
05 - Drain excess water using a fine-mesh sieve or carefully tilt bowl while holding pasta with a fork or spoon.
06 - Immediately stir chosen sauce into hot pasta until evenly coated. Top with Parmesan and fresh herbs, then season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Dinner is genuinely ready in under fifteen minutes, no stovetop theatrics required.
  • You'll taste how perfectly al dente pasta can be when you're paying attention instead of waiting for a pot to boil.
  • One bowl means one thing to wash, which feels like a small victory on nights when cleanup sounds worse than cooking.
02 -
  • Stirring matters more than you'd think—skip it and your bottom layer becomes gluey while the top stays crunchy, which I learned the hard way my first attempt.
  • The pasta will keep cooking slightly even after you drain it, so pulling it out a few seconds before perfect is actually the right move.
  • Microwave strength varies wildly, so pay attention to how your specific machine behaves rather than following times religiously.
03 -
  • Use a bowl that feels stable and has high enough sides that water won't splash everywhere during the final minutes of cooking.
  • If your sauce is cold from the fridge, warm it separately while the pasta cooks so everything mingles at the same temperature.
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