How to Microwave Pasta
Prep Time
1 minCook Time
12 minsFree Time
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Purists might insist that boiling in salt water is the only way to cook pasta, but the microwave holds its own when it comes to perfectly al dente noodles. Not only is it faster than boiling water on the stove, but it's also more convenient and saves precious time in the kitchen.
Why use an Anyday? With the Anyday, you can cook perfect al dente pasta every time without having to constantly watch the pot — or even set a timer. While we love our lid for many reasons, we don’t recommend using it for cooking pasta in the microwave. The lid traps so much heat and steam that the starchy water can easily boil over in the microwave. Still getting spillover? Try less water or a lower power level until you get it right!
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 1 cup (140g) penne pasta
- 1½ cups (360ml) water
Preparation
- Place the pasta and water in the Anyday and stir to combine.
- Cook in the microwave uncovered for 12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking. Try a noodle and add more time if needed!
- Drain any excess water, if necessary.
Serving suggestions & tips
- For a quick Cacio e Pepe style pasta, drizzle some olive oil, black pepper and parmesan cheese.
- Jazz up buttered noodles by tossing with brown butter, parsley, and garlic powder.
- Add frozen peas or other mixed vegetables to the dish a few minutes before the pasta is fully cooked.
- For more microwave Pasta & Noodle recipes, see our full collection here.
Recipe notes
- Most pastas indicate the cook times on the package. If in doubt, use those instructions as a cook time guide.
- Is your pasta spilling over? Try less water or a lower power level until you get it right!
- Want to try a different pasta shape? Make sure that water is completely covering the pasta.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Microwave Match Up: Pasta
See for yourself— microwaving pasta is simply faster, start to finish.
| Appliance | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Microwave in an Anyday dish | 10-11 mins |
| Stovetop* | 15-20 mins |
| Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* | 20 mins |
Step-by-Step: Microwaving Pasta
All You Need to Know About Microwaving Pasta
How long does pasta take to cook in the microwave?
| Ingredient | Water | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (140g) penne pasta | 1 1/2 cups (360ml) water | 9-10 mins |
| 2 cups (280g) penne pasta | 2 cups (450ml) water | 10-11 mins |
| 3 cups (420g) penne pasta | 3 cups (675ml) water | 12-14 mins |
| 4 cups (560g) penne pasta | 4 cups (900ml) water | 15-16 mins |
| 4 ounces (115g) noodles (spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, etc) | 2 1/4 cups (500ml) water | 10-12 mins |
| 8 ounces (225g) noodles (spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, etc) | 3 cups (720ml) water | 11-13 mins |
| 12 ounces (345g) noodles (spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, etc) | 3 1/2 cups (840ml) water | 12-14 mins |
| 16 ounces (445g) noodles (spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, etc) | 4 cups (900ml) water | 14-15 mins |
| 20 ounces (700g) noodles (spaghetti, linguine, bucatini, etc) | 6 cups (1410ml) water | 16-18 mins |
Cooking pasta in the microwave takes around 14-16 minutes depending on the type and amount of pasta. To tell if pasta is cooked through, take a piece out of the dish and taste it. The pasta should be tender but slightly firm, with no hard center.
How to tell when pasta is cooked through?
When cooking pasta, it is important to ensure that it is cooked through but not overcooked to the point of being mushy. To tell if pasta is cooked through, take a piece out of the pot and taste it. The pasta should be tender but still slightly firm, with no hard center. If the pasta is still hard or has a chewy center, it needs more cooking time.
How to cook fresh pasta in the microwave?
Fresh pasta is delicate and requires careful attention when cooking in the microwave. To prevent it from breaking apart, add fresh pasta and ½ cup hot water to an Anyday Deep Dish. Cook in the microwave uncovered for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to ensure it doesn't overcook or boil over. Discard any excess water and toss noodles with some olive oil to prevent sticking.
How do you make pasta not boil over in the microwave?
Microwaves are powerful and can cause the starch in pasta to create more heat and boil over. To avoid this, cook the pasta in the Anyday dish uncovered. This allows heat to circulate and prevents the water from boiling over.
How to cook frozen pasta like tortellini or ravioli in the microwave?
While you don’t want to use the lid when cooking dried pasta, we recommend steaming frozen tortellini or ravioli in the microwave with lid on. Place up to 10 oz of frozen tortellini or ravioli pasta in an Anyday Deep Dish and add ½ cup of hot water. Cover with the lid and microwave on high for the recommended cooking time in the package. Drain any excess water, or use it to start a quick sauce.
