The 13 Best Target Items To Cook In Your Microwave

If there’s one thing we love as much as microwave cooking, it’s convenience. That’s why a well-stocked kitchen—and the right tools—make all the difference. With Anyday dishes and a Target grocery haul filled with fresh meats, produce, and pantry staples, you can pull together quick, satisfying meals without the hassle. One quick trip, and you’re ready to cook in the microwave, reheat leftovers, or even whip up a dessert in minutes.

Ready to see what you can cook in the microwave with your Target grocery finds? Let’s dive in:

1. Good & Gather Homestyle Turkey Meatballs (Frozen)

When you need a quick and satisfying meal, Good & Gather’s Homestyle Turkey Meatballs are your go-to freezer staple. These juicy, pre-cooked turkey meatballs reheat perfectly in the microwave, making dinner prep faster and easier. Toss them in marinara for an easy spaghetti dinner, coat them with teriyaki sauce for a rice bowl, or load them into a hoagie roll with slices of mozzarella for a melty meatball sub— no oven or stovetop required.

Complete the meal: Bulk up “baked” ziti by adding meatballs (no thawing required) and pair with a side of steamed broccoli or frozen peas.

2. Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen

When cravings hit for something spicy and satisfying, look no further than Buldak Spicy Chicken Ramen. Microwave these instant noodles directly in an Anyday dish to ensure perfectly springy noodles without overcooking. Add a microwave-poached egg, leftover shredded chicken, or crispy bacon for a protein boost. Or drain the broth, toss the noodles with soy sauce, and top with chili crisp for an extra-spicy stir-fry.

Complete the meal: Pair with steamed edamame, or add microwave-steamed bok choy. Top with a squeeze of fresh lime and crushed peanuts for texture upgrade.

3. Market Pantry Frozen Cheese Tortellini

These pillowy, cheese-filled tortellini are perfect for those busy nights when you need comfort food fast. The pasta steams perfectly in an Anyday dish— just add a bit of water to ensure even cooking.

Complete the meal: Toss cooked tortellini with a creamy bechamel sauce, marinara, pesto, or garlic butter. You can also make tortellini en brodo (tortellini soup) by microwaving it in chicken stock or bone broth. Try adding spinach (fresh or frozen) and topping with parmesan cheese.

4. Good & Gather Steam-in-Bag Edamame

Don’t be fooled by the “steam-in-bag” label—microwaving food in plastic puts you at risk of consuming harmful microplastics. Instead, transfer edamame to a glass Anyday dish to gently steam the protein-packed pods to perfection. Plus, you can store any leftovers directly inside the dish.

Complete the meal: Sprinkle with flaky salt or furikake and pair with your favorite microwave ramen or rice bowl. For a savory snack, toss with sesame oil and spicy chili crisp.

5. Good & Gather Grilled Fajita Chicken Breast Strips

Get dinner on the table in minutes with these pre-cooked, perfectly grilled fajita chicken strips. Since they’re pre-cooked, you’ll want to make sure these chicken strips don’t lose any moisture during reheating. That’s where Anyday comes in: the silicone-rimmed lid traps all of the moisture inside of the dish, keeping the chicken strips juicy and tender. Serve them taco-style, over rice, or in a burrito bowl—the options are endless.

Complete the meal: Pair with microwave-steamed fajita veggies or black beans, and serve with scratch-made salsa verde.

6. Simple Mills Gluten Free Brownie Mix

Baking brownies has never been easier—or faster! With Simple Mills’ gluten-free brownie mix, you can make a decadent, chocolatey dessert directly in the microwave. Mix the batter directly in your Anyday dish, pop it in the microwave, and enjoy warm brownies in minutes. You can also portion the batter into Small Dishes for individual molten lava cakes. Try swirling peanut butter or jam into the batter before microwaving for a fun twist.

Complete the meal: Serve with a scoop of hot fudge sauce or ice cream for an extra-indulgent dessert.

7. Momofuku Chili Crunch

Sure, Momofuku Chili Crunch is an incredible topping for noodles and rice, but why stop there? Microwave scrambled eggs come alive with a spoonful of this chili crisp, and it’s also an excellent base for a spicy compound butter—just melt the butter and chili crunch together in the microwave and brush onto steamed corn or garlic bread.

Complete the meal: Mix into microwave-fried rice or drizzle over rice noodles for a bold kick. Try it in our recipe for Sichuan-Style Mouthwatering Chicken.

8. Sweet Sesame Asian-Inspired Cooking Sauce

Shelf-stable simmer sauces are perfect for days when cooking dinner feels like a chore. Try this sweet and savory sesame sauce— it can transform simple proteins (like chicken or tofu) and vegetables (such as snap peas or carrots) into a quick and flavorful microwave “stir-fry.”

Complete the meal: Toss the sauce with cooked rice noodles or drizzle over steamed green beans.

9. Market Pantry Classic Cut Bacon

One of our favorite microwave magic tricks is to make crispy bacon without the stovetop splatter! The Anyday dish achieves the perfect crisp while containing any bacon fat mess. Add bacon strips to a breakfast sandwich, pair with scrambled eggs, or try crumbling it over a “baked” potato.

Complete the meal: Bacon is more than just for breakfast! Try our recipes for Clam Chowder with Bacon, Southern-Style Collard Greens, Spaghetti Carbonara, and more!

10. Butter Chicken Sauce

Rich and creamy Indian butter chicken doesn’t need hours of stovetop simmering! Heat this sauce in the microwave with chicken or tofu for an instant dinner. It’s the perfect shortcut to a homemade-tasting curry without the long prep time.

Complete the meal: Pair with basmati rice and naan, or serve alongside steamed cauliflower.

11. Bachan’s Original Japanese BBQ Sauce

Sweet, tangy, and umami-packed, Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce is the key to making any meal mouthwatering. Use it as a glaze for chicken wings, brush it onto salmon, or drizzle over a rice bowl. Try mixing it with mayo for a tangy dipping sauce for fries or veggies.

Complete the meal: Use it as a glaze for microwaved chicken thighs or as a sauce on steamed carrots or snap peas.

12. Banza Gluten Free Chickpea Penne

For a high-protein, gluten-free pasta, Banza’s chickpea penne is a must-try. Cook it to perfection in the microwave with an Anyday dish, ensuring tender pasta without the stovetop hassle. Pair it with your favorite sauce or make a Mediterranean-style pasta salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta.

Complete the meal: Try this gluten-free pasta in our recipes for Pasta Alfredo Primavera, Quick & Creamy Mac and Cheese, or Creamy Zucchini Pancetta Pasta. For all of our microwave pasta recipes, check out our recipe library.

13. Somos Taco Bowl Kit

This all-in-one meal starter is perfect when you’re short on time, but don’t think you have to stop at the basic instructions! Heat the rice and beans in the microwave, then top with strips of fajita-seasoned chicken or ground beef, avocado, and microwave-melted queso. Or, turn it into taco-stuffed peppers by microwaving the filling inside halved bell peppers.

Complete the meal: Mix up the kit, add microwave-sautéed onions and jalapeños, and stuff into enchiladas. Serve with queso and chips as an appetizer.

With these Target favorites and an Anyday dish, making quick, delicious meals has never been easier. Whether you're cooking from scratch or starting with an easy meal kit, you can get dinner on the table in less time than it takes to put away the rest of your haul.