Photo by Flickr user Kelli Wong.
Generally, the microwave’s primary function in a home is to make popcorn or reheat meals. Maybe even heat water for tea or hot chocolate. Beyond that, the microwave may often be overlooked. However, there is a surprising amount of meals you can make with minimal time and effort just by cooking them in your microwave. Whether you are a college student wanting to cook in your dorm room or simply someone who likes trying new meal ideas, this post is full of yummy ideas, photos, and recipe links, all of which can be cooked in a microwave.
Photo by Flickr user Larry & Teddy Page.
BREAKFAST
If you need to fix breakfast on the go, or you just don’t want to drag yourself out of bed in the morning to eat in the cafeteria, there are plenty of breakfast foods you can fix in a snap with your microwave.
Oatmeal is a very popular choice, with several variations and toppings you can choose from. Some sweet breakfast treats you can make include blueberry muffins, cinnamon rolls, and even French toast in a cup!
One savory option is a coffee mug quiche. But really, you can fix eggs in almost any way you can imagine – scrambled or poached, in an omelet or a frittata. The possibilities are endless.
Photo by Flickr user Lablascovegmenu.
SNACKS & SIDES
Macaroni & cheese may be a college student’s answer for a quick lunch or an evening snack, maybe even a pick-me-up in the midst of pulling an all-nighter. And it isn’t even the instant stuff!
You can successfully fix potatoes in the microwave, no matter if you want them mashed, baked, roasted, or in a casserole.
Other sides that can be cooked in the microwave are foods such as bacon and banana bread. If you’re the kind of person that likes milk foam in your coffee, it can be prepared with little hassle in your microwave – who knew!
Photo from Martha Stewart.
ENTREES
You can even make a few kinds of tasty entrees in a microwave. There are many different kinds of chicken you can prepare, like this BBQ Chicken recipe from Martha Stewart. Meatloaf in a mug is another option.
You could probably guess that microwave nachos is a commonly made meal, but other Mexican dishes like quesadillas, tacquitos, and chilaquiles can also be made with ease.
Photo by Flickr user Meaghan O’Malley.
DESSERTS
There are hundreds of desserts that can be fixed in a microwave. Most of these are mug recipes, a trend that has been latched onto by college students across the country. As I can personally attest, the process can often be messy, but the results are absolutely delicious. (If you’re curious, I’ve made Nutella mug cake with a group of friends – very rich and delicious!)
A handful of the many mug recipes you can make are cake, brownies, coffee cake, cheesecake, or a chocolate chip cookie. If you want a bit of a healthy twist, there is always fruit cobbler or strawberry pie.
Other microwavable desserts include treats like pudding and peanut butter cups.
So, is your mouth watering yet? Would you ever try out any of these recipes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
