20 Easy & Delicious Microwave Meals (No Stove Needed!)
Think your microwave is only good for warming up leftovers? Think again! That simple kitchen box can cook amazing meals all by itself. These 20 recipes are perfect for a dorm room, a quick lunch at work, or any small kitchen. They show you how to make yummy food with less work, saving you time and money.
1. Super Fast Mac & Cheese in a Mug
You'll Need:
- ½ cup macaroni pasta
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- A little salt
How to Make It:
Put the pasta, water, and salt in a big mug that’s safe for the microwave. Heat it for 4-5 minutes, and stir it once in the middle. Carefully take it out, then stir in the milk and cheese until it's creamy. Heat it for one last minute.
Taste Tip: Using cheddar cheese will make it extra stringy and yummy. A little hot sauce can give it a nice kick.
2. Two-Minute Scrambled Eggs in a Mug
You'll Need:
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Chopped veggies (like peppers or spinach)
- Shredded cheese, salt & pepper
How to Make It:
Mix the eggs and milk in a greased mug. Add your veggies and a little cheese. Microwave for 60 to 90 seconds, until the eggs look fluffy and are cooked.
Taste Tip: Use pre-chopped veggies to save time. A mug with a wide bottom helps the eggs cook better.
3. Easy "Fried" Rice
You'll Need:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
How to Make It:
In a bowl, mix the rice, frozen veggies, and soy sauce. Make a little hole in the middle, crack the egg in it, and stir it all together. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, stopping to stir it once.
Taste Tip: A small bit of sesame oil added after cooking gives it that real fried rice smell.
4. Better Instant Noodles
You'll Need:
- 1 packet of instant noodles
- Frozen peas or corn
- 1 egg
- A little sriracha hot sauce
How to Make It:
Cook the noodles with water like the package says. Pour out most of the water. Then, stir in the flavor packet, frozen veggies, and crack the egg right in. Microwave for 1 more minute, then stir it hard to cook the egg and make a creamy sauce.
Taste Tip: Top it with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime to make the flavors fresh and pop.
5. Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
You'll Need:
- 1 large potato
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Salt, pepper
How to Make It:
Peel and chop a potato, then poke the pieces with a fork. Put them in a bowl with a little bit of water. Microwave for 6-8 minutes until they are soft. Mash them up with butter and milk, and add salt and pepper to taste.
Taste Tip: Mix in a spoonful of cream cheese or a little garlic powder to make them extra comfy and delicious.
6. Personal Pizza in a Mug
You'll Need:
- 4 tbsp flour
- â…› tsp baking powder
- A little salt
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp oil
- Pizza sauce, cheese, mini pepperonis
How to Make It:
Mix the dry stuff in a mug. Stir in the milk and oil until you have a smooth dough. Put a spoonful of sauce, cheese, and your toppings on it. Microwave for 70-90 seconds until the dough is cooked.
Taste Tip: Sprinkle some dried oregano on top before you cook it for that pizza shop smell.
7. Quick Burrito Bowl
You'll Need:
- Cooked rice
- Canned black beans (rinsed)
- Corn
- Salsa
- Shredded cheese
How to Make It:
In a bowl, put layers of rice, beans, corn, and salsa. Put a lot of cheese on top. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until everything is hot and the cheese is nicely melted.
Taste Tip: A spoonful of sour cream or fresh guacamole makes it even better. Add crushed tortilla chips for a good crunch.
8. Perfect Steamed Veggies
You'll Need:
- Fresh broccoli, carrots, and green beans
- 2 tbsp water
- Salt
- A slice of lemon
How to Make It:
Chop the veggies and put them in a bowl with water. Cover the bowl with a plate that's safe for the microwave. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the veggies are soft but still have a little crunch.
Taste Tip: Pour out the extra water and mix the veggies with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a little bit of good olive oil.
9. Microwave Pancake on a Plate
You'll Need:
- 4 tbsp flour
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp baking powder
How to Make It:
Mix all the ingredients until you have a smooth batter. Pour it onto a greased, flat plate and spread it in a circle. Cook for 60-90 seconds until it feels firm.
Taste Tip: Serve it with maple syrup or put fresh berries on top for a healthy breakfast.
10. Hearty Veggie Soup in a Mug
You'll Need:
- Chopped carrots, celery, and onions
- 1 cup water or broth
- Salt, pepper, herbs
How to Make It:
Put the finely chopped veggies and broth in a large mug. Microwave for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Add salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme.
Taste Tip: Stir in a spoonful of canned tomatoes or some leftover cooked quinoa to make it more filling.
11. Speedy Couscous Bowl
You'll Need:
https://lovelywisher.com/20-quick-and-easy-lunchbox-indian-recipes-for-kids/- ½ cup couscous
- ½ cup hot water
- Frozen peas
- Chopped green onions
- Soy sauce
How to Make It:
Pour hot water over the couscous and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then stir in the frozen peas, green onions, and a little soy sauce. Microwave for 1-2 minutes to heat it up.
Taste Tip: Add a handful of chickpeas for more protein.
12. 90-Second Quesadilla
You'll Need:
- 1 large tortilla
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped peppers or canned beans
How to Make It:
Sprinkle cheese and fillings on one half of a tortilla. Fold it over. Put it on a plate and microwave for 60-90 seconds, flipping it halfway, until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Taste Tip: Put the tortilla between two pieces of parchment (baking) paper to make it less soggy and for easy cleanup.
13. Lazy Lasagna Bowl
You'll Need:
- Cooked pasta (any small shape)
- Ricotta cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
How to Make It:
Make layers in a bowl: sauce, then pasta, then ricotta. Repeat. Top it all with more sauce and lots of mozzarella. Microwave for 3-4 minutes until it's bubbling.
Taste Tip: This is an important step! Let it rest for two minutes before you eat. This helps the flavors mix together and the layers hold their shape.
14. Baked Sweet Potato
You'll Need:
- 1 medium sweet potato
- Butter or coconut oil
- Salt
How to Make It:
Poke the sweet potato a few times with a fork. Microwave for 6-8 minutes, turning it over once, until it's soft. Cut it open and mash the inside with butter and a little salt.
Taste Tip: For a savory taste, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and a spoonful of black beans.
15. Comforting Lentil & Rice Bowl
You'll Need:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Salt
How to Make It:
Mix the rice and lentils in a bowl. Stir in the spices and a little bit of water. Microwave for 2 minutes until it's hot.
Taste Tip: Add a swirl of plain yogurt or a squeeze of lemon to add a fresh taste.
16. Stuffed Bell Pepper
You'll Need:
- 1 bell pepper
- Cooked rice, black beans, corn
- Salsa
- Cheese
How to Make It:
Cut the pepper in half and take out the seeds. Mix the rice, beans, corn, and salsa together and put it inside the pepper halves. Place them in a deep bowl so they don't fall over, cover, and microwave for 4-5 minutes until the pepper is soft. Add cheese on top and melt it for 30 more seconds.
Taste Tip: Red, yellow, or orange peppers will taste sweeter than green ones.
17. Savory Bread Pudding in a Mug
You'll Need:
- 1 slice of bread (cut into cubes)
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- Shredded cheese
- A little onion powder
How to Make It:
Mix the egg and milk in a greased mug. Add the bread cubes, cheese, and onion powder, and stir gently. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until it puffs up.
Taste Tip: Add chopped ham or cooked bacon bits to make it a bigger meal.
18. Easy Spaghetti Bowl
You'll Need:
- Small pasta shapes
- Water
- Pasta sauce
- Parmesan cheese
How to Make It:
Cook the pasta with water in a large bowl for 5-6 minutes. Carefully pour out the extra water. Stir in the sauce and microwave for another minute. Top with Parmesan.
Taste Tip: Use short pasta shapes because they cook better and are easier to eat from a bowl.
19. Quick Poha (Flattened Rice)
You'll Need:
- 1 cup thick flattened rice
- Chopped onion
- Roasted peanuts
- Turmeric
- Lemon juice
How to Make It:
Quickly rinse the flattened rice in a strainer and let it get soft for a minute. In a bowl, mix the damp rice with onion, peanuts, and a little turmeric. Microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Taste Tip: Always add the lemon juice after cooking to keep the flavor fresh.
20. Warm Chickpea & Veggie Salad
You'll Need:
- 1 can chickpeas (rinsed)
- Cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
- Chopped cucumber
- Olive oil, salt & pepper
How to Make It:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. For a warm salad, microwave for 60 seconds. Or, you can just eat it cold.
Taste Tip: To make this simple salad even better, mix in a spoonful of pesto or some crumbled feta cheese.
Easy Microwave Tips for Great Food
Follow these simple rules to help you make great food every time and avoid mistakes.
- Use the Right Bowls. Only use bowls made of glass, ceramic, or plastic that clearly say "microwave-safe" on them.
- Cover Your Food. Use a paper towel or a microwave-safe lid to cover your food. This helps it cook all the way through and stops messes.
- Stir Your Food Halfway. For most recipes, it’s a good idea to stir the food in the middle of the cooking time. This gets rid of cold spots and helps it all get hot.
- Let It Rest for a Minute. Food keeps cooking for a minute after the microwave stops. Letting it sit lets the heat spread out and finishes the cooking.
- Know Your Microwave. Microwaves have different power levels, so cooking times can change. If your food is always cooking too fast or too slow, change the cooking time. It's better to start with less time—you can always add more.
