How to Microwave Pasta

If you're cooking out of a dorm or small kitchen, you can still make delicious meals, like spaghetti. Decide if you'd like to microwave the noodles using tap water or boiling water and oil. Once you've microwaved the noodles, serve them with your favorite jarred pasta sauce. Keep in mind that you can also microwave a hearty meat sauce that's great with spaghetti.

Ingredients

Microwaving Pasta

  • Spaghetti
  • Water

Serving size varies

Pasta

  • 10.5 ounces (300 g) of uncooked spaghetti noodles
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil, optional
  • Boiling water as needed

Makes 4 servings

Premade Sauce

  • 1 jar of pasta sauce

Serving size varies

Meat Sauce

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 2⁄3 pound (300 g) of lean ground beef
  • 1 14-ounce (411 g) can of chopped tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of boiling water
  • 1 beef stock cube or 1 teaspoon (2.5 g) of powdered bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) of dried oregano
  • Black pepper, to taste

Makes 4 servings

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Microwaving Pasta

  1. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 1
    1
    Break up the spaghetti noodles and place them in a bowl. Measure out as much spaghetti as you'd like to cook in the microwave. Then break the noodles into halves or thirds and put them in a microwave-safe bowl.[1]
    • Keep in mind that most pasta noodles double in size after they cook.[2]
  2. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 2
    2
    Pour enough water to cover the noodles by 2 inches (5.1 cm). You can use room temperature water or just run water from the tap into the bowl. It's important that the noodles are completely submerged.[3]
    • The noodles will double or triple in size as they cook which is why they need to be covered with the water.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 3
    3
    Microwave the pasta for 3 minutes longer than the package instructs. Put the bowl in the microwave and read the pasta cooking instructions. Set the timer for 3 minutes longer than the manufacturer's recommendations.[4]
    • For example, if the package says to boil the noodles for 9 minutes, you'll need to microwave them for 12 minutes.
  4. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 4
    4
    Drain and use the cooked pasta. Carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave. Set a colander in the sink and slowly pour the hot pasta into it so the water drains into the sink. Then top the cooked pasta with your favorite sauce.[5]
    • Refrigerate leftover cooked pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Cooking the Pasta Using Boiling Water

  1. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 5
    1
    Break the dry spaghetti noodles and put them in a bowl. Get out 10.5 ounces (300 g) of uncooked spaghetti noodles and break them into thirds. They should easily fit into a microwave-safe bowl without sticking out.[6]
  2. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 6
    2
    Coat the pasta with oil and pour in boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil to the dry noodles and stir until they're all coated. Then pour in enough boiling water to cover the noodles by at least 2 inches (5.1 cm).[7]
    • Mixing the noodles with oil will prevent them from clumping together as they cook in the microwave.
  3. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 7
    3
    Microwave the spaghetti for 8 minutes. Put a lid on the dish or cover it with plastic wrap. Set the dish in the microwave and heat the pasta on full power for 8 minutes. Stop and stir the noodles once they're halfway cooked.[8]
    • Use caution when you stir the spaghetti since the dish will be hot.
  4. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 8
    4
    Remove the spaghetti and let it sit for 2 minutes. Once the spaghetti has rested for a few minutes, test a few noodles to see if they're as soft as you like. If they're too firm for you, return the noodles to the microwave and cook them for 2 more minutes.[9]
  5. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 9
    5
    Drain and serve the spaghetti with sauce. Set a colander in the sink and slowly pour the cooked spaghetti into it. The hot water should drain into the sink. Then serve the hot spaghetti with your choice of sauce.
    • To store leftover spaghetti noodles, put them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 to 5 days.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Microwaving Premade Sauce

  1. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 10
    1
    Pour a jar of pasta sauce into a large bowl. Choose a microwave-safe bowl that's large enough to contain any splatters from the sauce. If you want to microwave a smaller portion, just pour as much as you need into the bowl.
    • You can choose any kind of sauce you like, from marinara to alfredo!
  2. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 11
    2
    Microwave the sauce in 30-second increments. Put the bowl of pasta sauce in the microwave and use LOW power to heat the sauce. Stop and stir the sauce every 30 seconds as it heats.
    • Keep in mind that it will take 2 to 3 minutes to heat a full jar of pasta sauce while a single portion might only take 1 minute.
  3. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 12
    3
    Spread the hot sauce over your cooked noodles. Once the pasta sauce is as hot as you'd like, remove it from the microwave and spoon it over cooked spaghetti noodles. Serve the sauce and noodles while they're hot.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Cooking Meat Sauce in the Microwave

  1. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 13
    1
    Chop 1 onion, 1 garlic clove, and 1 carrot. Peel the produce and set them on a cutting board. Then use a sharp knife to chop the onion into 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) pieces and mince the garlic clove. Dice the carrot into pea-sized pieces and transfer everything to a large microwave-safe bowl.[10]
    • If you're short on time, buy a package of ready-cut onions and carrots to use.
  2. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 14
    2
    Mix 2⁄3 pound (300 g) of lean ground beef with the veggies in the bowl. Mix the meat into the chopped vegetables as you break it into smaller pieces. This will help the beef cook evenly.[11]
    • It's important to use lean meat to prevent the sauce from becoming greasy. If you don't want to use lean beef, substitute ground chicken or ground turkey.
  3. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 15
    3
    Cover the bowl and microwave the mixture for 3 minutes. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl with the meat and vegetables. Then cut a 2 in (5.1 cm) slit in the plastic wrap so steam can escape. Microwave the meat and vegetables for 3 minutes using high power.[12]
    • If you don't want to use plastic wrap and the bowl has a lid, set the lid on the bowl so it's slightly askew and steam can escape.
    • Use caution when handling the dish since it will become very hot.
  4. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 16
    4
    Microwave the meat mixture for 3 more minutes. Keep the mixture covered and microwave it until the meat is no longer pink. To ensure it's finished cooking, insert a meat thermometer into the center of the dish. The meat should reach 160 °F (71 °C).[13]
    • If the meat is still slightly pink or hasn't reached 160 °F (71 °C), cover and microwave it for 1 more minute before checking it again.
    • Drain off any visible grease from the bowl once the meat has finished cooking.
  5. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 17
    5
    Stir in the tomatoes, water, stock, and oregano. Open a 14-ounce (411 g) can of chopped tomatoes and add it to the bowl with the meat and vegetables. Stir in 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of boiling water, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of dried oregano, and 1 beef stock cube or 1 teaspoon (2.5 g) of powdered bouillon.[14]
  6. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 18
    6
    Microwave the meat sauce for 7 minutes. Lay the plastic wrap or lid back on the bowl and heat the sauce on full power. The sauce should begin to bubble and become fragrant.[15]
    • Taste the sauce and stir in ground pepper according to your taste. It's safe to taste the sauce since the meat is already cooked.
  7. Image titled Cook Spaghetti in the Microwave Step 19
    7
    Microwave the sauce for 10 more minutes before serving. Remove the lid and stir the sauce well. Then set the lid or wrap back on the bowl and heat the sauce for 10 more minutes. Stir it at the halfway point so the sauce cooks evenly. Carefully remove the sauce from the microwave and spoon it over the cooked spaghetti.[16]
    • Cover and refrigerate leftover meat sauce for up to 3 or 4 days.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can you do a microwave lasagna next please?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's been done! Check out How to Make Microwaved Lasagna.
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

Microwaving Pasta

  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Colander

Cooking the Pasta Using Boiling Water

  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Lid or plastic wrap
  • Spoon
  • Colander

Microwaving Premade Sauce

  • Large microwave-safe bowl
  • Spoon

Cooking Meat Sauce in the Microwave

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Large microwave-safe bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Fork
  • Plastic wrap or a paper towel

You Might Also Like

How to
Measure Spaghetti
How to
Keep Spaghetti from Sticking
How to
Make Spaghetti
Season Meat for SpaghettiHow to Season Meat for Spaghetti
How to
Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
How to
Freeze Spaghetti Squash
How to
Make Baked Spaghetti
Cook Spaghetti alla Carbonara
How to
Cook Spaghetti alla Carbonara
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.tablespoon.com/posts/how-to-make-pasta-in-the-microwave
  2. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/pasta_rice_main/pasta.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.tablespoon.com/posts/how-to-make-pasta-in-the-microwave
  4. ↑ https://www.tablespoon.com/posts/how-to-make-pasta-in-the-microwave
  5. ↑ https://www.tablespoon.com/posts/how-to-make-pasta-in-the-microwave
  6. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  7. ↑ https://www.tablespoon.com/posts/how-to-make-pasta-in-the-microwave
  8. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  9. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  1. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  2. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  3. ↑ https://www.cooks.com/recipe/nq6gj5e2/microwave-spaghetti-meat-sauce.html
  4. ↑ https://www.cooks.com/recipe/nq6gj5e2/microwave-spaghetti-meat-sauce.html
  5. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  6. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  7. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/microwave_spaghetti_44920
  8. ↑ https://www.purewow.com/food/how-to-reheat-pasta

About This Article

Abyssinia Campbell
Co-authored by:
Abyssinia Campbell
Executive Chef
This article was co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Abyssinia Campbell is an Executive Chef and the Owner of Chef Abyssinia, Personal Chef and Catering. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in catering, event planning, menu development, meal planning, and food business operations. When it comes to cooking, Chef Abyssinia enjoys using fruits, vegetables, healthy food alternatives, and local farm-fresh ingredients. She holds a BASc in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. This article has been viewed 251,752 times.
5 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 18
Updated: August 12, 2022
Views: 251,752
Categories: Featured Articles | Spaghetti
Article SummaryX

Microwaving pasta is a useful trick if you don’t have a stovetop. To microwave pasta, first, place the noodles in a large, microwave-safe bowl. If you're cooking spaghetti, break the noodles in half before putting them in. Pour in enough water to cover the noodles by 2 inches. Then, microwave the pasta for 3 minutes longer than the stove-top directions call for. Carefully remove the pasta and drain it in a colander. To learn how to cook meat sauce in the microwave, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement