15 Meals You Should Be Making In Your Microwave

Chicken Parmesan in a white casserole dish
Photo: Deb C

The microwave is often thought of as an easy way to reheat leftovers, or the main cooking tool for college students. But you can actually create delicious and impressive meals straight out of this handy appliance, all you need is a little creativity and some microwave-safe dishes. Our collection of recipes includes classic choices, like omelette in a mug or microwave "baked" potatoes, but also gives options for branching out such as prawn biriyani and microwave chicken Parmesan. Click through the learn that there are little limits on what you can make in the microwave.

01 of 16

Ranch Chicken Tacos

Ranch Chicken Tacos
Deb C

This is the perfect recipe for using up leftover roasted or store-bought rotisserie chicken. Skip toasting the tortillas and give them a quick zap in the microwave oven with a damp paper towel to soften them up.

02 of 16

Omelet in a Mug

breakfast sandwich on a green plate
lutzflcat

Sticking this in the microwave is faster to than working your way through the drive-thru for an Egg McMuffin. Enjoy as-is or load it up into a breakfast sandwich with cheese and an English muffin.

03 of 16

Prawn Biryani

Prawn Biryani on a white plate
Saurabh Ahuja

Skip takeout and make this flavorful meal at home instead. "This spicy rice dish cooked in mouth-watering prawn curry is extremely easy to make in a microwave oven," says recipe creator Celestial.

04 of 16

Loga's Microwave Chicken

Loga's Microwave Chicken on a white plate
Scotdog

A coating of curry- and cayenne-seasoned ketchup amps up the flavor of these chicken legs. Reviewer Eddrena Audu assures, "When I first put this together I started to wonder if it was a joke of a recipe. Mixing all that curry with ketchup was just seemed bizarre. But my hubby really likes it! SO easy."

05 of 16

Dan's Meat Wrap

Dan's Meat Wrap
bellepepper

This deli-style wrap is packed with roast beef, cheese, veggies, and tangy Italian dressing. Simply microwave it until the Cheddar-Monterey Jack blend gets gooey and you're ready to serve.

06 of 16

Basic Microwave Risotto

Basic Microwave Risotto
superminthi

Constantly stirring risotto is what makes many home cooks hesitant to making it, but this easy microwave version requires much less work. If you're uncomfortable using white wine, apple or white grape juice can be swapped in.

07 of 16

Romano Chicken

Romano Chicken on a black plate
mkstevens09

No one will ever guess this main dish came from the microwave. Pounded chicken breasts are rolled up with ham and Swiss cheese, then coated with Parmesan and seasonings for a wow-worthy recipe.

08 of 16

Microwave Baked Potato

Microwave Baked Potato topped with sour cream and bacon
France C

Infinitely quicker than actually turning on the oven, microwaving a "baked" potato makes for a simple meal. Top with options like cheese, broccoli, sour cream, and bacon to create a filling dish.

09 of 16

Spanish Rice (Microwave)

spanish rice on a white plate
Soup Loving Nicole

This kid-friendly spin on Spanish rice is dotted with bacon, tomatoes, and green bell peppers for a trio of flavor. Make it a more hearty meal by mixing in a drained can of black beans at the end of cooking.

10 of 16

Cindy's Microwave Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan in a white casserole dish
Deb C

Recipe creator Cindy Henderson Foster describes, "It's easy and not much mess to clean up. My family loves it! The chicken stays very moist and leftovers are yummy!" Use a pack or two of microwave-ready pasta to complete the meal.

11 of 16

Couscous Salad with Tomato and Basil

Couscous Salad with Tomato and Basil in a white bowl
Margaret Brogden Petre

Couscous is perfect for the microwave, only needing a hot liquid to reconstitute and be ready to serve. Here, it's dressing up with a tangy balsamic dressing and tossed with feta, tomatoes, and basil.

12 of 16

Shelby's Microwave Meat Loaf

Microwave Meat Loaf in a casserole dish
cdwinn86

You'd never guess from one bite of this mouth-watering meatloaf that it came from the microwave. No tomato sauce on hand? Many reviewers have subbed in ketchup for the topping and had delicious success.

13 of 16

Quick and Easy Stuffed Peppers

bell peppers stuffed with rice and beans topped with cheese

The trio of kidney beans, quick-cooking brown rice, and stewed tomatoes make up the base for these stuffed peppers. Customize with your favorite veggies and cheeses for a delicious dinner.

14 of 16

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
Krista

If you've got leftover chicken in the fridge, you're mere minutes from making this delicious salad. Simply nuke the chicken strips in barbeque sauce and toss with the remaining ingredients for a refreshing dish.

15 of 16

Tuna, Avocado, and Bacon Sandwich

Tuna, Avocado and Bacon Sandwich on a white plate
Jessica

This isn't your boring, basic tuna sandwich. The fish is dressed up with Dijon mustard, horseradish, and sweet relish, then tucked into bread with microwaved bacon, avocado, and tomatoes for an irresistible sandwich.

16 of 16

More Microwave Ideas

Easy Microwave Chilaquiles on a white plate
Yoly
Was this page helpful?