9 quick and easy meals in the microwave

Microwave cooking may seem outdated compared to using modern gadgets like Instant bowl or Air FryerBut anyone who prepares quick and easy meals in the microwave knows what a valuable kitchen gadget.

But microwaves aren’t just for making instant ramen.

to me Ilana Molstein, MS, RDN, Beachbody nutrition expert and innovator Mindset 2BDon’t be shy about using the microwave.

“It’s not bad for you and has been used safely for a long time. This tool is useful to help you reduce the time it takes to prepare meals. You will have fewer pots and pans to wash them as well,” she says.

While you can prepare healthy meals with the microwave, using the microwave alone will not necessarily give you the flavor twist that grilling, baking, or frying will provide.

But using the microwave during the cooking process means you will spend less time preparing a meal and more time enjoying it!

Here are some of the best time-saving microwaves to help you get the food on the table in no time.

1. Beat the fluffy eggs

Fancy some eggs in the morning but not awake enough to deal with the hot stove? You can use the microwave to cook eggs in just a few minutes.

“Egg cups are great for making an omelette,” says Molstein. “You only need to break two eggs in a microwave-safe cup. Microwave for one minute, then stir in some cheese, onions or spices, and place in the microwave more until cooked.”

2. Make crunchy turkey bacon

Using a microwave is the easiest (and possibly healthiest) way to cook bacon. You’ll be grinding crunchy bacon in no time.

Lay one layer of turkey bacon on paper towels and cover them with more paper towels. Microwave 30 seconds at a time until crunchy.

Bonus: paper towels absorb excess grease!

3. Cook spaghetti squash safely

Muhlstein’s favorite trick is to make squash pasta in the microwave.

“It could be dangerous to slice a fresh squash because the knife could slide so easily,” she says. “I recommend putting a whole zucchini in the microwave for 3 minutes to soften it and make it easier to slice it.”

Even better: You can use the microwave to cook squash noodles along the way. Just remember to prick it freely all over the shell. Microwave for 10 minutes, then slice it and use a fork to move the pulp into strands of “pasta”.

Try this time-saving trick the next time you get up Spaghetti squash lasagna or BBQ Spaghetti Squash Sliders.

4. Baked sweet potato

Baked sweet potatoes can take 30 to 60 minutes to soften. Use the microwave to get the same effect in just 5 minutes!

For detailed instructions, read on How to cook sweet potatoes in the microwave.

Serve the sweet potato as a dinner side dish, or make it a meal by filling the potatoes with delicious toppings (Greek yogurt, cheese, green onion, turkey bacon) or sweet toppings (cinnamon, light nuts).

5. Banana ripening acceleration

If you like it banana bread or Banana piesBut the bananas are not ripe enough, use a microwave to speed up the process.

You only need to make a few holes in the banana peel and microwave for a minute or so. Then use it in the recipe of your choice.

6. Peel garlic faster

Peel garlic in no time by putting an onion in the microwave. After just 20 seconds, the garlic will be softer and easier to peel.

The cloves will slide straight off the peel without clinging to your fingers or slowing you down!

7. Fast vegetables steamed

Observer pot never boils, does it? So, skip the stove and quickly steam your vegetables in the microwave to serve them alongside your main dish.

Put chopped vegetables and a few tablespoons of water in a covered, microwave-safe bowl, then put them in the microwave for a few minutes until they reach the desired degree of softness.

This strategy can help reduce the cooking time of the vegetables that you plan to add to soups, pasta, and fried and fried rice.