20 Easy Microwave Meals and Snacks That Are Budget Friendly, Too
Surprise! Who knew you could make risotto in the microwave?!
Microwaves are often just as thoroughly used in kitchens as hot ovens and stove-tops, if not more; yet, many home cooks (even experts!) are afraid of using the microwave beyond heating leftovers or frozen ready-to-eat meals. The truth is that many delicious items can be perfectly steamed or "baked" in a microwave if you should find yourself in a pinch. Maybe it's just because you forgot to defrost your meats, have discovered you are missing a key ingredient, or don't have time to preheat the oven, but you don't have to reach for a takeout menu if you have a microwave at home. And even if you just don't feel like making too much of a mess or a fuss (we've all been there), your microwave can help you get something on the table, fast.
It's hard to make an extravagant meal using your microwave alone, but there are many lightning-fast staples you can enjoy for breakfast, a quick lunch, or a simple dinner on the fly. And dessert lovers will be very pleased to hear there are a few ways to create ooey, gooey cake without even touching your oven dial. Raw meat may be too intimidating to tackle in a microwave given its complex texture and flavor profile, but you can actually get a good steam on seafood. Steaming is also a boon for fresh vegetables you might have in your crisper as well as those extra eggs as well.
Worried about making your snack or quick bite "radioactive," so to speak? Don't be! Microwaves don't use gamma rays or x-rays to cook food, and when they are used according to instructions, there isn't evidence that suggests they pose any risk to your health, according to the American Cancer Society. You should actually feel better about whipping up a quick meal with your microwave because the following recipes tend to be quite straightforward; minimal ingredients translate to less of a blowback on your diet compared to fast-food options if you decide to hit a drive-thru instead. Here, we're sharing the best microwave meals and snacks to try this week.
Easy Poached and Scrambled Eggs
Hello, breakfast! Eggs are one of the most versatile (and healthy!) kitchen staples you can have on hand, and they can also be made in four different ways in the microwave. Our Test Kitchen experts recount their favorite ways to whip up a plate of fluffy, creamy eggs in just a few minutes. Spoiler: You only need a few inches of water for perfectly poached eggs.
Spaghetti Squash and Pasta Sauce
Our experts put together an illustrated guide to all the ways you can cook spaghetti squash, including a microwave hack that works for gourds of any size. Afterwards, simply use your fork to score a plateful of delicious faux noodles that can be paired with one of your favorite canned sauces.
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
After you've mastered the quicker microwave method, try upgrading a classic spaghetti squash boat with a quick creamy pan Alfredo sauce. The oven is entirely optional, but a nice broil for the top layer of cheese really seals the deal (maybe a job for your toaster oven?).
Beat-the-Clock Chili
A bit of seasoned ground beef, canned beans, tomatoes, and fresh bell peppers are whipped into a hearty chili in your microwave that'll keep you satisfied all night long. You'll steam the ingredients using ventilated plastic wrap in a microwave-safe dish.
Get the recipe for Beat-the-Clock Chili »
RELATED: 40 Easy Chili Recipes That Are Perfect for Cold Days
Ginger-Soy Steamed Cod
Don't flinch away from microwaved fish! Creating a delicate fish dish (rather one that stinks up your entire house) requires you to prepare your vegetables, dressings, and aromatics first. You'll only need to steam your fish in the microwave for 4 minutes, the very last step in this delectable dinner.
Steamed String Beans
Like frozen varieties in the supermarket, the key to cooking tender string beans in the microwave is to steam them in a covered casserole container. You'll learn how to steam a pound of green beans in the microwave with handy Thanksgiving shortcut tips below.
Vegan Banana Bread in a Mug
We love how Jessica Hylton of Jessica in the Kitchen translated delicious banana bread into a mug cake-spinoff. The sweet bread here is made in a short, wide mug, which allows it to rise in its concentrated space in the microwave itself.
Shrimp Tacos
Since shrimp are so delicate and light in the first place, they only need a few minutes to steam perfectly (even in a microwave!). You'll layer these plump nuggets of protein among fresh chopped vegetables and a quick salsa, which can also be swapped out for your favorite store-bought variety instead.
Easy Pea Risotto
We'll admit, you'll need to use a pot to boil water for this recipe. But if you simply can't perfect boiled rice, our microwave hack for creamy risotto makes for such a delicious dish, even advanced home cooks might think twice about fretting over a hot stovetop.
Gourmet Microwave Popcorn
We know, we know — why would you want to DIY a snack that is also made in microwave-friendly packets?! Popcorn lovers in the know swear by popping their own kernels so they can customize just how salty, buttery, or otherwise flavorful their better-for-you bowl of popcorn ends up being. And the best part? Kernels are very affordable!
Soft Polenta
You can dress up this bowl of soft, hearty bowl of polenta in a myriad of ways: Add fresh or frozen veggies, for one, or even leftover roasts or saved fish from your last formal dinner. The cornmeal and milk combine into a creamy base that's ready in just 12 minutes.
8-Minute Cornbread
The wet and dry ingredients for this uber-quick bread can actually be mixed together in the same dish you'll use for the microwave. While you might not get the same crispy burnt edges as you'd get in a traditional oven, this cornbread is a fast dinner alongside your favorite canned or bottled soup on cooler nights.
Get the recipe from Woman's Day »
RELATED: 25 Best Bread Machines Recipes That Make Home Baking a Breeze
2-Minute Microwave Oatmeal
You can make delicious oatmeal instantly without having to turn to instant oatmeal at all. We love how Lee Funke of Fit Foodie Finds uses rolled oats to create a naturally sweet oatmeal bowl that tastes just like cookie dough (seriously!).
Egg and Veggies Scramble With Avocado Toast
Hello, no-cook brunch! Gracie Gordon over at the Hungry Blonde had the ingenious idea of steaming broccoli and spinach in the microwave before whisking in two eggs to create an effortless scramble. Paired with avocado toast, this is one hearty breakfast that feels much more sophisticated than it actually is!
Hard-Boiled Eggs
You can boil eggs in your microwave, but the key to safely doing so is ensuring exact cooking times on a low-power setting, and creating a small hole for heat pressure to escape. You'll need to poke a small hole in the bottom of the egg before you submerge in water — no one wants exploding eggs!
Micro-Poached Salmon
When paired with lemon slices, herbs, and wine or broth in place of water, this salmon will only smell of delicious aromatics. You can add these silky, tender bites of salmon into a quick salad or even atop cold noodles. Got 8 minutes? You have perfectly poached salmon!
Pizza In a Mug
Yes, really! Blogger Gemma Stafford discovered a way to make a pillowy dough base in a mug that's topped with a bit of tomato sauce and your favorite cheeses and toppings. It eats more like a casserole than a real piece of pizza, but it certainly is more manageable than making an entire pie.
Single-Serve Chocolate Mug Cake
Maple syrup, milk, eggs, baking powder and cocoa powder make for a dense base for this 7-minute mug cake. You'll love that each mugful caps off at 295 calories and 30g of mostly natural carbohydrates, with 10g of protein hidden inside as well.
Quick Poached Pears With Ruby-Red Raspberry Sauce
A holiday favorite, poached pears can actually be enjoyed on any cold evening in as little as 10 minutes. These pears are dressed in a luxe sauce, but you can make a quick syrup with lemon and sugar if you'd like to enjoy a more refined dessert.
Get the recipe for Quick Poached Pears With Ruby-Red Raspberry Sauce »
RELATED: 25 Healthy Fruit Dessert Recipes
Microwave Mug Chocolate Cake
Only the nicest things come in our favorite coffee mugs, and this soul-warming chocolate cake is no exception! You'll use cocoa powder to create the base of this rich cake that's finished with a dollop of sweet cream. This ultra-satisfying dessert is ready in 8 minutes flat.
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