Microwave Bowl Pasta Quick

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 3 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or elbow macaroni)

→ Liquids

02 - 1 ½ cups water

03 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Optional Add-Ins

04 - 1 teaspoon olive oil or butter

05 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

07 - 2 tablespoons marinara sauce or pesto

# Method:

01 - Place dried pasta into a large microwave-safe bowl, filling no more than half the bowl.

02 - Combine water and salt in the bowl with the pasta and stir gently.

03 - Microwave uncovered on high power for 4 minutes.

04 - Stir pasta, then microwave in 2-minute increments, stirring after each until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed (8–10 minutes total depending on pasta shape and microwave wattage).

05 - If necessary, carefully drain any remaining water from the bowl.

06 - Incorporate olive oil or butter, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and marinara or pesto if using; stir to combine.

07 - Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

One bowl, minimal cleanup, and your pasta is ready before you've even decided what to top it with.
Works in dorm rooms, tiny apartments, or any situation where stovetop real estate is nonexistent.
The pasta comes out tender and creamy from absorbing water evenly, no scorched pot bottoms involved.

02 -

Overfilling the bowl is the easiest mistake—water will bubble over and make a mess of your microwave's interior, so leave at least half the bowl empty above the pasta.
Microwave wattage matters; a more powerful microwave finishes the pasta faster, so watch it closely the first time you try this rather than walking away assuming it'll be done on schedule.

03 -