Microwave Bowl Pasta (Printable)

Perfectly cooked pasta prepared quickly in the microwave with minimal ingredients and equipment.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 3 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni)

→ Liquids

02 - 1 ½ cups water
03 - ¼ tsp salt

→ Optional Add-Ins

04 - 1 tsp olive oil or butter
05 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 tbsp marinara sauce or pesto

# How-To:

01 - Place dried pasta in a large microwave-safe bowl, ensuring pasta fills no more than half the bowl to prevent overflow.
02 - Pour water and salt into bowl. Stir thoroughly to distribute salt evenly.
03 - Microwave uncovered on high power for 4 minutes to begin cooking process.
04 - Stir pasta thoroughly, then continue microwaving in 2-minute intervals, stirring after each interval, until pasta reaches al dente texture and most water is absorbed. Total cooking time typically 8–10 minutes depending on pasta shape and microwave wattage.
05 - If any water remains after cooking, carefully drain excess liquid from bowl.
06 - Stir in olive oil or butter, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and sauce if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It requires exactly one bowl to wash when you are done eating
  • You get perfectly cooked pasta without waiting for water to boil
  • The method works with whatever pasta shape is hiding in your pantry
02 -
  • Your bowl needs to be at least twice as tall as the pasta because water bubbles up aggressively in the microwave
  • Every microwave is different so start checking at 8 minutes total cooking time
  • The water will look dangerously close to overflowing but usually settles down if you do not overfill
03 -
  • Let the bowl sit in the microwave for 1 minute after cooking to finish absorbing any remaining water
  • If your pasta is still too crunchy add another 30 seconds rather than a full 2 minutes
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