• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I'm Hungry For That
  • Home
  • Breakfast Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • All Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Breakfast Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • All Recipes
    • Instagram
  • ×

    How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave In Just 5 Minutes

    by Brendan Cunningham 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    If you ever wondered how to cook pasta in the microwave, this recipe has the answer. In only 5 minutes, you can cook pasta in the microwave that tastes just as delicious as if you made it on the stovetop! Seriously, it's so good! Not to mention, this recipe tops the pasta off with some butter and parmesan cheese to make it even better.

    Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl, next to a block of grated parmesan cheese on a wood board.

    Table of Contents

    • The Best Microwave Pasta Noodles You'll Make
      • Ingredients
        • Ingredient Suggestions and Substitutions
      • How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave
        • Step 1: Cook The Pasta
        • Step 2: Microwave The Pasta
        • Step 3: Complete The Pasta
      • How To Store Microwaved Pasta
        • Reheating Microwaved Pasta
      • Wrapping It Up
    • More Pasta Recipes
    • How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave In Just 5 Minutes
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    The Best Microwave Pasta Noodles You'll Make

    The days of having to cook pasta noodles on the stove are over!

    Whether you're in a dorm room, anywhere without a stove, or just want a quick and easy way to cook pasta, this method to cook pasta in the microwave comes in clutch. Honestly, it's a total game-changer.

    With the exact same ingredients that you would need to boil pasta, you can microwave pasta noodles in as fast as 5 minutes! Seriously, that's all it takes to make perfectly cooked pasta. 

    Then, you can eat it plain, top it with some butter and parmesan cheese, or make the sauce from this Gigi Hadid pasta recipe to go on top of it. Honestly, any way you eat it, this al dente pasta is just so, so good.

    By the way, if you want to make some more traditional recipes in the microwave, you have to give this microwave chocolate chip cookie and these microwave pancakes a try next!

    Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork grabbing a bite of pasta.

    Ingredients

    As I mentioned, you'll need the same ingredients that you would need to cook pasta on the stove.

    Then, all I did was add a few ingredients to elevate the butter noodles and make them taste like something you'd get at a restaurant. Well, at least I think they do, but you'll have to try and see for yourself.

    Anyway, here's what you'll need to make pasta in the microwave: 

    • 1 cup Dried pasta
    • 2 cups Water
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 tbsp. Butter (optional)
    • 3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, shredded
    • Black pepper, to taste
    • Parsley, to garnish

    How simple is that?

    By the way, if you want a more elevated pasta dish, you can use some of these ingredients to make this chicken pesto pasta. Honestly, it's one of the best easy pasta recipes I've ever made.

    An assortment of ingredients for microwaving pasta including a jar of uncooked pasta, parmesan cheese, butter, and parsley.

    Ingredient Suggestions and Substitutions

    Now, something I love about this recipe is that you can really make it however you want. There are honestly no wrong answers here! 

    With that said, when it comes to dry pasta, I recommend smaller noodles like macaroni or bowtie. Spaghetti noodles will be a bit harder to manage, but feel free to experiment and try a couple of different types of pasta for this recipe! 

    Also, to add a little extra flavor to the cooked pasta noodles, feel free to get creative and add things like red pepper flakes, everything but the bagel seasoning, garlic powder, grilled chicken, or shrimp! This shrimp scampi is especially delicious on top of it.

    You can even add some veggies - like broccoli and diced bell peppers - to your microwave noodles and make 'em a bit heartier as well. 

    Oh, and of course, you can toss the pasta in any kind of sauce that you want.

    A blue bowl of uncooked pasta with a pitcher pouring water into the bowl.

    How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave

    Cooking pasta in the microwave is really about as simple as it gets. It only requires one step - microwaving - so literally, anyone could do it.

    Seriously, even if you've never made anything before, I've got a feeling you'll make this pasta turn out on point!

    So, with that said, let's stop wasting time and make pasta in the microwave!

    Blue bowl of cooked bowtie pasta next to a shredded block of parmesan cheese.

    Step 1: Cook The Pasta

    First, you'll want to take out a large bowl. And you'll want to make sure that it's big enough to hold your pasta and deep enough to allow the pasta to expand since the pasta will double in size once cooked. Basically, take out one of the biggest microwave-safe bowls that you have.

    Now, put the dry pasta of your choice in the bowl, add enough water to completely cover the pasta - usually two cups is enough - and add a dash of salt. Don't worry about adding the perfect amount of salt, you can always add more later.

    Cooked pasta being strained and put into a white serving bowl.

    Step 2: Microwave The Pasta

    So, now that the pasta, salt, and water are in the bowl, you can put the bowl in the microwave and cook it for about 3-4 minutes.

    When the time is up, take the pasta out of the microwave and give it a good stir so the noodles don't stick together. Then, you can microwave it again in 1-minute increments, stirring between each one until the pasta reaches your desired doneness.

    Personally, I like to cook my pasta al dente, so I usually take it out after four minutes. 

    A bowl of microwaved pasta next to a small bowl of parmesan cheese.

    Step 3: Complete The Pasta

    Once the pasta is how you like it, strain it and transfer it to a new bowl.

    Now it's time to add some flavor to the microwaved pasta! So, to do this, after your pasta is cooked, add the butter, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and black pepper and give everything a mix until the butter melts and all of the noodles are coated in the ingredients.

    Then , to finish up, I like to sprinkle more parmesan cheese on top and serve this pasta warm with some fresh bread - or any one of my garlic/cheese bread recipes.

    Finally, let the pasta cool for a couple of minutes. Then, dig in and enjoy!

    A bowl of microwaved pasta with a fork in the bowl.

    How To Store Microwaved Pasta

    This easy pasta recipe will make enough for one big serving.

    So, if you want more, just double - or triple - the recipe, and make sure to use a bigger bowl! Oh, and keep in mind that you'll need to add some more microwaving time to the pasta if you're cooking more of it.

    Now, if you happen to have any leftovers, you can store the cooked pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-5 days. And, for what it's worth the leftovers are absolutely delicious. So, don't be afraid of storing them.

    Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl and grated parmesan cheese in the background.

    Reheating Microwaved Pasta

    Now, although you can eat the pasta cold, you'll probably want to reheat it. And to do that, you can use the trusty microwave again! 

    So, simply microwave the leftover pasta with a splash of water in 20-second increments - stirring between each one - until the pasta reaches your desired temperature. 

    Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl and grated parmesan cheese in the background.

    Wrapping It Up

    Well, that is how to cook pasta in the microwave perfectly every time!

    If you ever thought that making pasta was complicated, I hope this quick and easy pasta recipe convinces you otherwise.

    Honestly, this microwaved pasta is such a fun recipe hack that really comes in the clutch when you don't have a stove. I know it did for me a ton of the time when I was in college and living in the dorms.

    Anyway, if you gave it a try, leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

    And for more tasty tastiness, make sure to follow us on Youtube, TikTok, or Instagram. We post new recipes on them every day!

    Close up of a fork holding pieces of pasta cooked in the microwave.

    More Pasta Recipes

    If you want to give some more easy pasta recipes like this one a try, we have a ton on the blog you have to check out next! 

    Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Spinach pasta
    • One pan shrimp pasta
    • Creamy salmon pasta
    • Four cheese pasta
    • Trenette al pesto
    Print

    How To Cook Pasta In The Microwave In Just 5 Minutes

    Microwaved pasta in a white bowl with a fork grabbing a bite of pasta.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    If you ever wondered how to cook pasta in the microwave, this recipe has the answer. In only 5 minutes, you can cook pasta in the microwave that tastes just as delicious as if you made it on the stovetop! Seriously, it's so good! Not to mention, this recipe tops the pasta off with some butter and parmesan cheese to make it even better.

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 1 minute
    • Cook Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 6 minutes
    • Yield: 1 serving 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Microwave
    • Cuisine: Pasta

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 cup Dried pasta

    2 cups Water

    Salt to taste

    1 tbsp. Butter (optional)

    3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, shredded

    Black pepper, to taste

    Parsley, to garnish

    Instructions

    1. Take out a large bowl that is big enough to hold your pasta and deep enough to allow for expansion as the pasta will rise and double in size.
    2. Add the dry pasta to the bowl, along with the salt and water to cover the pasta completely.
    3. Place the bowl in the microwave and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes.
    4. Stir the pasta, so it doesn’t stick, and continue cooking in 1-minute intervals if needed.
    5. After it’s done, take the bowl out from the microwave and strain the pasta.
    6. Add the pasta back to the bowl and add the butter, parmesan cheese, parsley, and black and pepper. Mix everything to combine.
    7. Let the pasta cool for a few minutes, and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 389
    • Fat: 18
    • Carbohydrates: 44
    • Fiber: 4
    • Protein: 12

    Keywords: microwaved pasta, how to cook pasta in the microwave, how do you cook pasta in the microwave, can you cook pasta in the microwave, microwave pasta, microwaved pasta recipe, microwave pasta recipe, easy pasta recipe, pasta recipe easy, buttered noodles, buttered noodles recipe, microwave recipes,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @ImHungryForThat — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    « The BEST Alabama White Sauce Recipe Made In Just 1 Minute
    Potato Mochi With Delicious Sauce | Easy To Make In Only 20 Minutes »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jasmine

      October 28, 2022 at 10:56 pm

      I don't know why I never thought to do this before but it was awesome! I never make pasta cause I hate having to wait for water to boil lol

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Lila

      October 29, 2022 at 9:32 am

      Is it weird that this was my favorite pasta I've ever made? It's actually just so yummy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Julia G.

      February 15, 2023 at 5:21 pm

      I was so surprised with how good this was!! Totally will make again.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Mack

      February 17, 2023 at 9:16 am

      I never make things but this seemed real easy and I gave it a try. Pasta was fire I'll be making this a ton!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Benny

      February 22, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      This was fire thanks for a recipe I can actually make lol

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey there! We're Brendan & Joe, and we love to create recipes that make you say "I'm hungry for that!" We've both... Read More…

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    A tin filled with french fries. There is text above the french fries that reads "click here to join our weekly newsletter".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Us

    • About

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    YouTube

    • Subscribe

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Privacy Policy Copyright © 2021 Terms & Conditions