The humble microwave is an appliance that nearly all of us keep in our kitchens. But typically it’s tucked away on a counter and only used to reheat last night’s dinner or warm up this morning’s coffee. That means we don’t utilize this culinary mainstay to the fullest extent of its abilities. Though it’s often associated with convenience more than health, the microwave (or the “mee-cro-wah-vay,” per Nigella Lawson) can actually be a powerful tool for making tasty, wholesome dishes. And we’re not talking about nuking TV dinners: No hate to those boxed meals, but the microwave can also be a star performer when cooking fresh vegetables, grains, and even meat.
Whether you’re prepping a feast for the family or whipping up a single-serving meal, you can take advantage of the microwave’s “hidden” uses — in fact, it’s perfect for those solo nights in. (Especially if your attention is divided between a thousand tasks and you can’t focus on a simmering sauce.)
And of course, this handy appliance is also a serious time-saver. So the next time you’re simultaneously working too late and preparing for an early morning, close that delivery app and head to the microwave for a healthy, fulfilling meal.
The Best Healthy Microwave Meals
Salmon
Fish in the microwave? It’s way more appealing than you might think (we swear). We’ll start off with our favorite option: We’ve long loved calcium-rich salmon because it’s a tasty weeknight meal that cooks quickly. And if you’ve got a few fillets on hand, you can make them an even easier dinner by cooking them in the microwave. Make sure the fish is thawed, use whatever seasonings your heart desires, then pop them in for a meal in mere minutes.
Scrambled eggs
You likely have an ironclad routine for making scrambled eggs in a pan — but did you know you can also zap your eggs to perfection in the micro? All you’ll need are eggs, a bit of milk, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything up, set the timer for 30 seconds, and cook in intervals, checking the texture after each 30-second burst. Two minutes total will get you fluffy, drier eggs, while a minute will get you the gooier goods. After the eggs are heated to your taste, you’re all set for breakfast-for-dinner.
Potatoes
You probably know this hack, but it’s too good not to mention: You can absolutely cook a full-sized, Russet potato in the microwave (it is a microwave oven, after all). This recipe includes a handy guide that suggests you top the spud with black pepper and butter, but we urge you to use whatever fillings call to you. And while it could take up to an hour to soften a spud in the oven, you can “bake” one in the microwave in less than 10 mins.
Pasta
Diehard pasta fans will be overjoyed to hear that you can throw a single serving of pasta into a mug, then microwave it until al dente — in less than 10 minutes. It’s the perfect arrangement for those evenings when you want to avoid fussing over a boiling pot of water. (Which, for us, is every evening.) We like this recipe because the added tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, milk, seasoning, and cheese boost the flavor. That said, you can use this method to customize your meal to your liking — go with pesto or vodka sauce to shake things up.
Macaroni and cheese
This one-bowl, five ingredient recipe for macaroni and cheese is made for those nights when you require instant comfort. Plus, it’ll blow that TV dinner version out of the (lightly salted) water. You’ll never have to pull out a pot or pan for impromptu mac n’ cheese again.
Corn on the cob
Yes, you read that correctly: Aside from roasting, grilling, and steaming corn on the cob, you can easily microwave it. And get this — you’ll cook it with the husk on. Just heat the corn for four minutes, carefully pull it out, then remove the husk. Then get to gnawing.
Broccoli
You’ve probably steamed broccoli on the stove before, but did you know you can make that process even easier? Just four minutes in the microwave will exquisitely steam the veg until tender, and a squeeze of lemon juice and some light seasoning will pull it all together with some extra flavor and eleganza. A perfectly effortless side dish.
Rice
Many of us adore a homey bowl of rice, but it can be a headache to get the rock-hard grain pleasantly soft. If you don’t have a rice cooker but aren’t interested in turning on the stove, you can absolutely pop the rice into a microwave-safe container for quick steaming. Pro-tip: Serve it with that cooked salmon and broccoli for a complete, satisfying meal.
