Microwave Bowl Pasta Dish (Printable)

Cook pasta swiftly in a microwave-safe bowl for a fast, flavorful dinner 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Place dried pasta in a large microwave-safe bowl and add water and salt, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged. Add more water if necessary.
02 - Microwave uncovered on high for 4 minutes, then stir thoroughly.
03 - Microwave in 2 to 3 minute increments, stirring after each, until pasta reaches al dente texture (total cooking time 8 to 12 minutes, depending on microwave).
04 - Remove bowl carefully as it will be hot. Check pasta doneness and microwave an additional 1 to 2 minutes if necessary.
05 - Drain excess water using a fine-mesh sieve or by tilting the bowl carefully while holding back the pasta with a spoon or fork.
06 - Stir in your chosen sauce immediately to coat the hot pasta evenly. Top with Parmesan and herbs if desired, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely fast—no waiting for a pot to boil or a stove to heat up, just straight into the microwave.
  • Cleanup is minimal since everything happens in one bowl.
  • Perfect when you're cooking for yourself and don't want to fuss with full-sized cookware.
02 -
  • Microwaves vary wildly—what takes 10 minutes in one might take 12 in another, so start checking at the lower end of the time range and work from there.
  • Overloading the bowl with pasta means clumps form and cook unevenly; it's better to underfill than regret a bowl of half-cooked, half-mushy noodles.
03 -
  • Cover the bowl loosely with a paper towel if splatters bother you, but avoid sealing it completely—steam needs somewhere to go.
  • Save a spoonful of the starchy pasta water before draining if your sauce seems too thick; a splash of that starch-rich liquid helps everything emulsify and coat more evenly.
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