10+ Microwave Recipes for Quick and Easy Meals

Microwave recipes really do make life easier. If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like making a huge mess, your microwave is a lifesaver.

You can whip up all kinds of dishes in the microwave, and you’ll barely have dishes to wash. From snacks to full-on meals, these recipes get you eating faster—without letting flavor fall by the wayside.

1) Microwave Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings in the microwave? Absolutely doable. Grab some shredded rotisserie chicken, a bit of onion, and celery.

The dumplings come together fast and end up soft and fluffy. Just microwave everything together until those dumplings puff up.

It takes about 6 minutes on high, which is honestly pretty impressive for a cozy meal. You don’t need fancy ingredients—just basics you probably already have.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, sliced
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• Dumpling mix or biscuit dough

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss chicken, onion, celery, and thyme in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling mix on top.
3. Microwave on high for about 6 minutes.
4. Poke a dumpling with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, you’re done.

More details here: Microwave Chicken and Dumplings Recipe.

2) 1-Minute Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie

Craving a cookie but don’t want to bake a whole batch? You can make a single chocolate chip cookie in your microwave in about a minute.

It’s soft, gooey, and you probably have all the ingredients already. Just keep an eye on it so you don’t overcook—microwaves can be unpredictable.

This one’s eggless and makes just one cookie. Eat it right away while it’s still warm and gooey.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Soften butter in the microwave for about 7 seconds.
2. Stir in sugars, salt, and vanilla.
3. Mix in the egg yolk.
4. Add flour and stir until it’s smooth.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Microwave on high for 1 minute (for a 1000W microwave) or until just set.
7. Let it cool a bit before digging in.

Get more tips here: easy 1 minute microwave chocolate chip cookie

3) Microwave Mac and Cheese in a Mug

Mac and cheese in a mug is a real thing, and it’s ridiculously easy. All you need is pasta, water, and cheese.

Pour dry macaroni and water into a big mug. Microwave for a few minutes, pausing halfway to stir.

Once the pasta’s soft, add milk and cheese. Microwave again until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.

Season it up, and you’ve got homemade mac and cheese—no pots, no pans.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar’s classic)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Put macaroni and water in a large microwave-safe mug.
2. Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway.
3. Add milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir it up.
4. Microwave for 1–2 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and creamy.
5. Give it a final stir before eating.

Full details here: Microwave Macaroni and Cheese in a Mug.

4) Microwave Garam Masala Vegetable Curry

Need a flavorful curry in a hurry? The microwave’s got you covered. Garam masala, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, chickpeas, and spinach—toss them all in.

It cooks in under 20 minutes, which is kind of wild for a curry. Serve it with rice or naan if you want to go all out.

This recipe works well with plant-based milk if you want it dairy-free. The microwave keeps things simple and fast.

You get a colorful, hearty meal in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped potatoes
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1/2 cup chickpeas (cooked or canned)
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix potatoes, peas, chickpeas, tomatoes, spinach, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, water, salt, and oil in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plate.
3. Microwave on high for 10 minutes (900W), stirring halfway.
4. Check potatoes. If they’re not soft, microwave 3–5 minutes more.
5. Let it sit for 2 minutes before eating.

Recipe here: microwave garam masala vegetable curry recipe.

5) Microwave Mug Omelette

A mug omelette in the microwave is almost too easy. You just need eggs, a mug, and whatever fillings you like.

Spray your mug so nothing sticks, then crack in two eggs. Add a splash of water or milk and whisk it.

Throw in veggies, cheese, or whatever’s hanging out in your fridge. Microwave for a minute or so, stopping halfway to stir.

Watch it carefully so it stays fluffy, not rubbery.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• Vegetables (bell pepper, spinach, etc.)
• Cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• Nonstick spray or a bit of butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Spray a microwave-safe mug with cooking spray.
2. Crack in two eggs and add water.
3. Whisk until smooth.
4. Mix in veggies, cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
6. Stir and microwave for another 30 seconds.
7. Stir again and microwave 20–30 seconds more, until it’s cooked through.
8. Let it cool for a bit before eating.

Find more here: Microwave Omelette in a Mug recipe.

6) Microwave Baked Potato

You can have a baked potato on the table in minutes. Just wash a medium or large potato and poke it with a fork a few times.

Put it on a plate. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then flip it.

Microwave for another 4–5 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size, so check with a fork—if it’s soft, you’re good.

Let it sit for a minute, then cut it open. Fluffy inside, ready for toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 medium to large potato
• Salt (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Your favorite toppings

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and scrub the potato.
2. Prick it all over with a fork.
3. Place on a microwave-safe plate.
4. Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
5. Flip and microwave for 4–5 more minutes.
6. Check softness with a fork. If needed, microwave more in 1-minute bursts.
7. Let rest for a minute before serving.

7) Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

When you need dessert, fast, a chocolate mug cake is a game-changer. You mix everything in one mug and let the microwave do its thing.

Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and oil until smooth.

Microwave for about a minute and watch it rise. Let it cool a bit before eating—if you can wait.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ⅓ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 4 tbsp milk
• 1.5 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions

1. In a big mug, mix flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add milk and oil. Stir until smooth.
3. Microwave on high for about 60 seconds.
4. Let it cool for a minute, then dig in.

More details: microwave chocolate mug cake recipe.

8) Microwave Salmon Parcels

Salmon in the microwave? Yep, and it’s delicious. Wrap salmon fillets with veggies and sauce in parchment or plastic wrap.

The microwave steams the fish, so it stays moist and tender. Try soy sauce, orange, or teriyaki for flavor.

Cooking usually takes just 4–5 minutes. Serve with rice or fresh greens.

It’s a light, fresh meal that doesn’t heat up your whole kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (peas, leeks, or pak choi)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche or a squeeze of lemon

Cooking Instructions

1. Put the salmon and vegetables on a sheet of parchment paper.

2. Drizzle them with soy sauce or whatever sauce you like.

3. Wrap the salmon tightly in the parchment paper.

4. Pop it in the microwave on high for 4-5 minutes (think 350-400°F / 175-200°C).

5. Open the parcel carefully—watch out for steam—and serve with rice or salad.

Learn more about microwave salmon parcels at BBC Good Food.

9) Microwave Cinnamon Roll

You can whip up a cinnamon roll in your microwave.

It’s a lifesaver for those moments when you’re craving something warm and sweet but don’t want to wait for the oven.

Just mix up a few basic ingredients: flour, butter, milk, sugar, and cinnamon.

Shape the dough, then microwave it for about 90 seconds on high.

If it still seems a bit doughy, try adding another 10 seconds at a time.

Cleanup is a breeze if you cook it on a plate or in a mug.

Add a quick glaze or a bit of frosting after cooking if you want to make it extra tasty.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp butter, softened
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Stir together flour, butter, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder in a bowl.

2. Shape the dough into a roll or just press it into a mug.

3. Microwave on high for 90 seconds.

4. Check the texture—if it needs more time, add 10 seconds and check again.

5. Let it cool for a minute or two before digging in.

For a detailed recipe, visit Microwave Cinnamon Roll For One.

10) Microwave Spinach Dip

Microwave spinach dip is one of those snacks you can throw together in minutes. It’s creamy, cheesy, and honestly just hits the spot when you need something easy.

You don’t need a ton of ingredients—just the basics, really. The microwave does most of the work, so you end up with a warm, bubbly dip without much hassle.

Chips, crackers, veggies—whatever you’ve got on hand, this dip works. Sometimes I’ll toss in bacon or artichokes if I’m feeling fancy or just want to switch it up.

You barely need to stir while it cooks. Just toss everything in a microwave-safe bowl and let the heat melt it all together.

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheese (like jack or mozzarella)
• ½ cup canned artichokes, chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe dish.
2. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes until bubbly, stirring halfway through.
3. Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

10 Minute Microwave Spinach Dip