10 quick and easy microwave recipes

Microwaves: we all have them. But don't assume they're only good for reheating ready meals. These recipes show just how versatile microwave-cooked dishes can be.

Credit: Aaron Amat – Shutterstock

On days when you want food without the effort, don't turn to overpriced takeaways. Instead, you could do some microwave cooking and whip up quick (and tasty) dishes.

With some taking a minute or less to cook in the microwave, these recipes are a busy student's dream.

We've put together a list of the best and easiest foods to cook in the microwave, and some of them might surprise you.

Easy microwave recipes

Here are some easy recipes you can make in the microwave:

1. Fluffy rice

   

   Credit: Amarita – Shutterstock

   Rice can be hard to get right at first. But, if you can prepare it properly, it's a cheap and versatile staple.

   You'll save a fortune making it with this microwave cooking technique, compared to splashing out on pouches or boil-in-the-bag versions. Just make sure it's piping hot when cooked.

   Ingredients

   • 1 cup of rice
   • Cold water.

   Method

   1. Measure out your rice – 1 cup makes two generous portions.
   2. If you're using long grain rice (like basmati) you'll need to wash the rice until the water coming off it is relatively clear. If you're using sticky or easy-cook rice, this isn't necessary.
   3. Drain the rice and add the same amount of cold water as rice into your microwavable bowl, plus another half a cup. For example, for 1 cup of rice, you'll need 1.5 cups of cold water, for 2 cups of rice you'll need 2.5 cups of cold water and so on.
   4. Add seasoning (optional). Half a teaspoon of turmeric makes your rice bright yellow which looks great with curry. You could also add flavour with a cardamom pod.
   5. Cover your bowl. You can use cling film, but we find a normal dinner plate placed on top is less wasteful and works just as well.
   6. Put the microwave on full power for 10 minutes and check your rice. If it needs more time, put it back on for a few more minutes and check again. When it's cooked, it might appear quite solid in the bowl. But after fluffing it with a fork, you should have the perfect rice every time.

2. Scrambled eggs

   Scrambled eggs are pretty easy to cook on a hob. But washing a frying pan and a wooden spoon is a lot of effort for such a simple dish.

   With this microwave recipe, you can get away with only using one bowl and one fork.

   Ingredients

   • One or two eggs per person
   • A splash of milk or water
   • Seasoning.

   Method

   1. Put all of the ingredients into a microwavable bowl and mix them with your fork.
   2. Microwave your bowl for 30 seconds and stir.
   3. Microwave for another 10 seconds, stir and repeat until you get your desired consistency.

3. Poached eggs

   

   Credit: Joe Gough – Shutterstock

   Unfortunately, unlike scrambled eggs, poached eggs can be a bit of a pain to make with any method. But, if you follow our instructions, you'll be making perfect Eggs Benedict in no time.

   Ingredients

   • A fresh egg (if it's nearing its best-before date, this won't work)
   • Half a mug of cold water
   • Vinegar.

   Method

   1. Fill an average-sized mug to about halfway with cold water, then add a splash of vinegar.
   2. Carefully crack an egg into the mug, making sure you don't break the yolk.
   3. Once the egg is in the water, use a sharp knife to pierce a small hole in the yolk. This should stop your egg from exploding, but you can also cover your mug with cling film just in case.
   4. Put it in the microwave for 60 seconds then check the egg. If the white doesn't look cooked, put it in for 10 more seconds. Keep doing this until your yolks are as runny as you like them.

4. Steamed salmon

   Does fish seem like too much of a pain to cook? It might look like a pretty fancy option for a student diet, but this recipe is super straightforward.

   Cooking salmon fillets in a microwave is stress-free and healthy.

   Ingredients

   • Salmon fillets
   • Seasoning.

   Method

   1. Place the salmon onto a microwavable plate.
   2. Add something to flavour the salmon. We'd recommend pesto, or you could keep it simple with salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon. Apply it directly to the fillets.
   3. Wrap the whole plate in cling film and cook it for 3–5 minutes in the microwave. The time depends on how many fillets you're cooking.
   4. Check the firmness of the salmon. It's done when it looks opaque.
   5. Unwrap the clingfilm, drain off any excess liquid and serve.
   You might be surprised how nice some of the ready meals available from recipe box services are.

5. Frothy milk

   

   If you love lattes and cappuccinos, save yourself the expense of buying them from chain cafe stores. Ingredients-wise, this is barely a recipe, but it totally works. Enjoy frothy coffees at home, or get a little reusable cup to drink them on your commute.

   Ingredients

   • Milk (yep, that's it).

   Method

   1. Fill an empty jam jar (or any microwavable cup that has a lid) up to halfway full, depending on how much milk you like with your coffee.
   2. Screw the lid on and shake the jar for up to 60 seconds until it starts to look foamy.
   3. Take the lid off and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
   4. It should froth up and be ready for you to add to a drink of your choice.

6. Microwave mug cake

   Microwave mug cake is a classic. But, too often, it can turn out a bit eggy, or just generally quite 'meh'. Don't worry, though – this microwave recipe works a treat.

   It should be enough to serve two people, and it's great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

   Ingredients

   • 4 tablespoons of self-raising flour
   • 4 tablespoons of caster sugar
   • 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
   • 3 tablespoons of milk
   • 3 tablespoons of oil (vegetable/sunflower)
   • 1 small or medium egg
   • 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
   • 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips or nuts (optional).

   Method

   1. Add the dry ingredients to a big mug (ideally Sports Direct-sized) and mix.
   2. Crack the egg in and stir until it's all combined.
   3. Then add the remaining ingredients. If you're using chocolate chips or nuts, add them last.
   4. Put it in the microwave for 2–3 minutes, or until it stops rising.

7. Pasta

   

   We love cooking our pasta in the microwave. It's low-effort, but many don't realise it's possible.

   If you find it a bit of a chore to watch the hob and you're bored of scrubbing pans, this microwave pasta recipe is ideal.

   Ingredients

   • Pasta
   • Cold water.

   Method

   1. Put your pasta in a microwavable container and cover it with cold water. If you want to cook a long type of pasta like spaghetti, you could try using a special microwave pasta container like the Fasta Pasta.
   2. Put the microwave on for 10 minutes, and check it. If it doesn't seem done yet, put it on for a few more minutes.
   3. Drain and serve.
   In the mood for pasta? We've got loads more cheap and easy pasta recipes for you to try.

8. Bacon

   Microwaved bacon might sound a bit questionable, but hear us out. It is indeed possible. Plus, it's much less messy than grilling and there's no extra oil required.

   Just when you thought bacon couldn't get any better.

   Ingredients

   • Bacon.

   Method

   1. Put a couple of sheets of microwave-proof kitchen roll onto a plate, and lay the bacon flat on top of it (not overlapping).
   2. Cover the bacon with two more sheets of kitchen roll then place a second plate on top upside down.
   3. Microwave for 3–4 minutes. When it looks done, quickly remove the bacon from the kitchen roll before it cools to avoid it sticking.

9. Poppadoms

   

   Credit: Richard M Lee – Shutterstock

   It's much cheaper to buy raw poppadoms than pre-cooked ones, and they're super easy to make. You don't have to bother with the hassle and possible risks of deep frying.

   We must admit, we were quite surprised to hear they can be cooked in the microwave, but this actually works. And you don't need any extra oil or equipment.

   Ingredients

   • Raw poppadoms.

   Method

   1. Lay them on a plate and make sure the poppadoms aren't touching each other.
   2. Put them in the microwave for about 60–90 seconds.
   3. They don't taste exactly like the deep-fried version. But, if you're not convinced after trying one, you can brush one (or both) sides with a little oil and try again.

10. Caramel sauce

    If you're looking to jazz up plain ice cream or cake, this microwave recipe for caramel sauce is a winner.

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon of butter (14g or ½ an ounce if your butter isn't spoonable)
    • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon of double cream
    • A pinch of salt if you're using unsalted butter.

    Method

    1. Put the butter into an average-sized microwavable mug and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds or until it's melted. We'd suggest covering the mug as butter can splatter in the microwave.
    2. Add the brown sugar, cream and salt (if you're using it), stir and put back in for 30 seconds.
    3. Take it out, stir once more, and put it in for another 10 seconds.
    4. Remove from the microwave and pour on your chosen dessert.

    Pro tip: To make it into salted caramel, add a little more salt until you reach the desired taste.

Get these ingredients for less by checking out the cheaper ways to do online food shopping.