Scrumptious Microwave Pasta Recipes and a vegetarian salsa lasagna

Its been a bit crazy lately, and I apologize for not being as active as I would want to be. It’s the festival season for us, and I am in the midst of organizing a community event. So this post is going to short, sweet and tasta…oh, excuse me, pasta 😀

How often have you just wanted something quick, hot, and nutritious but had no time to cook? How many times has that big pot of water for the pasta taken forever and all the space on the hob? So what do you do?

Well, I microwave 😀 I know it’s not a chef’s way, but I love, love, love my microwave.

Take seven minutes to cook up basic pasta or go all the way: a single serving of creamy macaroni and cheese takes ten minutes and you can have lasagna for six in 35 minutes!

I love gadgets, like any one else who loves to cook. Honestly though, today’s kitchen is full of unnecessary gadgets, such “microwave pasta cookers” (seriously!!). Along with the refrigerator and the cooker, reliable cooking appliance in the kitchen is the microwave oven and it doesn’t need any extra help.

 

 

Microwaves are proven safe as long as sensible precautions are taken. Despite some misconceptions  such as “the appliance being radioactive!” (not true!) or “you can’t use them to cook pasta” (also not true!), the World Health Organization sets the record straight and provides excellent safety tips (check it out people!).

The pasta two-step:

1. Add 1.5l water and a bit of salt to a 2l glass bowl safe for microwaves. Cook on high until boiling, about 2-1/2 minutes.

2. Add 250gr pasta and cook on high 2 minutes, stir then 2 minutes more. Remove (carefully!) from oven, cover, and let stand 1 – 4min until done. Toss with oil or butter for a side dish or use as needed.

Voila!

Creamy Mac’n’Cheese for One:

Cook 1/2c pasta as above, drain.

Add 1/4c milk and up to 1/2c cheese or cheese blend of your choice. Cook 30sec on high then stir. Repeat until it’s blended into a creamy sauce. Add a touch more cheese and milk if needed and experiment with vegetable, meat, and seasonings of your choice.

It’s late afternoon and your teen invites his whole gang over and they are hungry…well – no worries! 35 minutes and you have lasagna for everybody:

Cook nine lasagna noodles as above, drain.

Grease an 11×7-inch microwavable dish, then cover the bottom with 1c pasta sauce.

Lay three noodles over the pasta sauce then spread with vegetables and/or meat filling of your choice. Top with ricotta or well-drained cottage cheese. Repeat layers, ending with noodles on top. Top with 1c pasta sauce.

Cover with microwave-safe cling film, fold back one corner, then cook on high for 6min, rotating halfway through. Remove, sprinkle with parmesan, let stand 10min before serving.

 

For a healthy twist, try it with salsa, like I did below. My kids love this version. It’s has all the goodness of ricotta and fresh spring greens. The salsa gives it the punch and Parmesan completes the dish with panache.

 

Bon appétit!