How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave - The Typical Mom

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How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave

By Justine

5 from 2 votes

Updated Jan 19, 2025

Published Sep 27, 2024

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To learn how to cook pasta in the microwave, follow this three-step process: pour water over the noodles, cover with plastic wrap, and use a fork to check if the noodles are cooked.

How to cook pasta in the microwave so it is tender and ready to make butter noodles. Yes you can boil pasta in a microwave perfectly now and serve it as a side dish or quick snack. Then make macaroni and cheese when done. Just one of many microwave recipes on our site.

How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave

Why would you need this? Well if you are looking for an easy RV meal or something you can make in a hotel room it might come in really handy. Throw in some butter and/or shredded cheddar cheese to transform it from plain to the ultimate yum.

Yes I do make a lot of pasta recipes in a pressure cooker but you may not have one of those handy, or at all. All you need is a bowl, plastic wrap, water and butter and/or salt if desired. Oh and have a few pot holders handy too because it does get quite hot in there and nobody wants to get burned.

How long does it take to cook pasta in the microwave?

You are looking at 4-6 minutes depending on the type of noodles you are using. Elbow macaroni is the most common so you can add cheese to it at the end and that takes 6 to slightly al dente. Egg noodles are closer to 4 and great with some butter and salt when done.

How to microwave pasta without boiling over?

You need to cover the top tightly with plastic wrap, or a plate on top of your bowl will work as well. You can place the bowl on top of a plate as well to catch the drips but if covered properly there shouldn’t be an issue.

Can you cook egg noodles in the microwave?

Yes, you would follow the directions in the bottom as directed. The only difference if you want to use something other than small elbow would be the timing. Egg takes less time to stay a bit al dente so stay close and decrease timing by 1 minute.

If you have tried our mug cakes you are just getting started. That taught you that you can make something delicious without turning your oven on. Now there is no boiling required when cooking any sort of pasta you choose. From spaghetti noodles to penne, macaroni or egg noodles you should try this.

Cooking Penne Pasta in the Microwave

The same goes for this style or how to cook penne pasta in the microwave. The only difference is timing. If you don’t like it as al dente you’d add a few more minutes, that is the only adjustment. The instructions remain the same but egg will take a bit less where as larger would need a little longer.

As you might assume you’re going to need some way of boiling water in the microwave. The way you do this is to trap the heat inside that bowl so it gets hot enough to work. If you had a sealed bowl of some sort you could choose that but typically those are plastic and I don’t like to use plastic right up against my food when cooking.

Instead when you want to microwave noodles a piece of saran wrap will work great. Note that in the middle when you stir and replace it you may need a new piece. If you have used this you know that it kinda’ shrinks up when heated so it may not fit on the second 3 minute go around.

How Long to Cook Pasta in the Microwave

What you do is pour your dry pasta noodles and hot water into a large microwave safe bowl (I like glass).
Cover with plastic wrap and set microwave on high for 3 minutes.
- Stir and cover again (may need new piece of wrap).
Return to the microwave oven to heat for 3 minutes cooking time on 50% power, not “regular” setting. Let stand for 1 minute before stirring and serving.
- This is how to change power level on microwave instructions

After it cooks in the microwave and is as soft as you’d like them to be you can drain what liquid is remaining and add whatever you like. Butter noodles would need butter and we like a little garlic salt and parmesan cheese.

Butter Noodles in Microwave

Yes Ninja Foodi butter noodles is fast but not as quick as this one is as there is no need to pressurize or warm up the pot. Especially for teens after school, this is a really cheap and easy pasta dish you can enjoy as a snack between meals or as ann easy side dish with some protein.

There would be enough here for 2-3 people if it’s just an add on. If you’re an empty nester this would come in handy for a smaller meal.

Another one we love that is super easy for a few would be this one pot spaghetti. Yes you need a stove for this but only well, one pot to make it. Much easier cleanup and costs about 5 bucks total to feed up to 4.

Give this a whirl and let us know what you think. Add something else into the mix that works well for a snack or a meal, let us know so we can try it.

A fork lifts cooked macaroni from a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap on a wooden surface, perfectly embodying the simplicity of how to cook pasta in the microwave.

5 from 2 votes

How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave

By Justine How to cook pasta in the microwave so it is tender and ready to make butter noodles. Yes you can boil pasta in a microwave perfectly now. Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 6 minutes Servings: 2 Save RecipeSaved Recipe Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

Equipment

1 Bowl

Ingredients 1x2x3x

▢ 1 c noodles, small, elbow macaroni
▢ 1 c water, hot

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Instructions

Place macaroni pasta noodles and hot water into a large microwave safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and heat on high for 3 minutes. Stir and cover again (may need new piece of wrap).
Return to the microwave to heat for 3 minutes on 50% power. Let stand for 1 minute before stirring and serving. Drain, add butter to melt and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 111kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 8mg, Potassium: 67mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Side DishCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

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About Justine

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

1 Comment

Idk what kind of microwave you use but mine kept boiling over even with the power on 50%. So I put a wooden spoon over the top with no plastic and worked even better with minimal spill over.
Reply

Hi, I'm Justine!

Welcome to The Typical Mom blog where we share easy Instant Pot recipes, use our Ninja Foodi, Crockpot and air fryer daily, and share fun family travel destinations!

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