How to Cook Pasta in the Microwave

Spaghetti. Macaroni and cheese. Lasagna. Baked ziti. Pasta dishes are delicious, easy to prepare and a hearty meal at the end of a long work day. But cooking the pasta in a pot of water on the stove can take as long as, or even longer than, making the rest of the dish. You can cook pasta in your microwave oven in a fraction of the time it takes to boil it on the stove.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave-safe container
• Pasta
• Water
• Salt

Instructions

1. Measure your container. The container needs to be able to hold all the pasta and water and also fit in the microwave. Experiment with different containers for different serving sizes.

2. Get the water/pasta ratio correct. The basic ratio of water to pasta is four parts water to one part pasta, or 1 cup of water per 2 ounces of pasta.

3. Combine the ingredients. Put the pasta, water and salt in your microwave-safe container and place the container in the microwave.

4. Cook the pasta. Two ounces of pasta should take about 3 1/2 minutes on high heat to cook to al dente. The more pasta and water, the time it takes to cook. Start with an extra 90 seconds of cooking time per two ounces and adjust as necessary.

5. Drain any excess water from the pasta, add the rest of the ingredients (sauce, etc.) and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Your pasta "done-ness" preference and microwave strength may vary, so check the pasta at least once near the end of the cook time.

• Your cooking container will likely be hot when you remove it from the microwave; use pot holders and watch out for the hot steam.

References

• More information on cooking pasta in the microwave oven