Microwave Bowl Pasta Delight (Printable)

Fast-cooked pasta in a microwave bowl, ready in minutes with simple ingredients and tasty sauce options.

# 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
05 - 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
06 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Place the dried pasta in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Add water and salt, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged, adding more water if needed.
02 - Microwave uncovered on high for 4 minutes.
03 - Stir pasta well, then microwave in 2-3 minute increments, stirring after each, until pasta reaches al dente texture, total time 8–12 minutes depending on microwave.
04 - Carefully remove bowl and check pasta. If undercooked, microwave an additional 1–2 minutes.
05 - Drain the excess water using a fine-mesh sieve or tilt the bowl carefully while using a fork or spoon to hold back pasta.
06 - Immediately stir in your choice of sauce to coat pasta evenly. Top with optional Parmesan and herbs, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under fifteen minutes with literally one bowl to wash
  • You can customize the sauce based on whatever is hiding in your fridge door
02 -
  • Microwaves vary wildly so start checking at eight minutes even if the recipe says twelve
  • The bowl will be extremely hot use a towel or oven mitt when you take it out
03 -
  • Use a bowl that is larger than you think you need because water will bubble up aggressively
  • Let the pasta sit for one minute after the final microwave before draining for better texture
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