Microwave Pasta: Quick 20 Minute Creamy Tuna Dinner (54 characters) 2026

Making pasta in the microwave is the ideal solution for a fast meal or for when the microwave is the only appliance you have to cook with. With a couple of pantry staples, you can serve a complete and delicious dish in almost no time at all.

This single-serving recipe cooks macaroni right in the bowl, so there is no big pot of boiling water and no draining in a colander. Everything comes together in about 20 minutes from start to finish, and the pasta comes out perfectly tender.

Once the pasta is cooked, you can toss it with any sauce or topping you like. Here it is paired with tomato sauce, a small can of tuna and a little grated cheese, a simple and very satisfying combination made from ingredients most of us already keep on hand.

Ingredients for Microwave Pasta

These amounts make 1 generous serving.

• 100 g macaroni (1 cup)
• Half a liter of water (or enough to fully cover the macaroni)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 1 small can of tuna in oil or water
• 1 tablespoon grated cheese, to taste

How to Make Microwave Pasta Step by Step

1. Put the Pasta in the Bowl and Cover with Water

Place 100 g of macaroni, which is what fits in a breakfast cup, in a wide microwave-safe bowl made of glass or ceramic. It is very important that the bowl is wide so the water stays at least three fingers below the rim. Cover the pasta with half a liter of room-temperature water, or enough so the macaroni is completely covered with water to spare for the whole cooking time. Add 1 pinch of salt and stir.

2. Cook at Full Power

Put the bowl in the microwave, uncovered. Even though the water will bubble, it will not reach the rim. Cook the pasta first for the time stated by the manufacturer on the package at 850 W. After that time, taste a macaroni to check if it is done. If it needs more cooking, return the bowl to the microwave for 2 more minutes at the same power and check again. As a reference, our macaroni listed a cooking time of 12 to 13 minutes. We cooked them first for 12 minutes, but since they were not quite done, we cooked them for 2 more minutes and they turned out perfect.

3. Stir and Drain the Cooked Pasta

Take the bowl out of the microwave protecting your hands and being extremely careful, because it gets very hot. Stir the pasta and drain it. At this point you have cooked pasta ready to pair with whatever ingredients you like. Here it is prepared with a mix of tuna and cheese as shown in the next step, but you could use any other combination you prefer.

4. Mix with Tomato, Tuna and Cheese and Serve

Mix the cooked pasta with 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, 1 small can of drained tuna and 1 tablespoon of grated cheese, to taste. Serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Microwave Pasta

Try Other Toppings

Once the pasta is cooked in the microwave, you can mix it with countless sauces or other ingredients to make a complete meal. Pesto and a few pine nuts is delicious, and a good-quality store-bought sauce makes it just as quick. Parmesan with a little ground black pepper also works beautifully. Halved cherry tomatoes and shredded mozzarella make it rich and very creamy. If you have canned foods such as peas, artichokes, asparagus, sardines or bonito, the options are endless and you can eat well with minimal effort.

Cook Only What You Will Eat

Because cooked pasta is so quick and easy to prepare, it is best to make just the amount you plan to eat right away. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them immediately and eat them within one day at most.

Food Safety Comes First

Starch-rich foods such as cooked pasta or rice encourage the growth of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, which can cause serious food poisoning. For this reason, cooked pasta should never be left at room temperature for more than 1 hour.

30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.

Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.

For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.

For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.

And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family

Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.

The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.

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