I’ve always been a big fan of cooking, but sometimes I just don’t have the time or energy to whip up a full meal on the stove. That’s why I was thrilled when I discovered that I could cook penne in the microwave. It’s quick, easy, and the results are surprisingly delicious. In this article, I’m going to share with you my step-by-step guide on how to cook penne in the microwave.
Gather Your Ingredients
First things first, let’s make sure we have everything we need to cook our penne in the microwave. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
– Penne pasta
– Water
– Salt
– A microwave-safe bowl
– Plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate
Once you have all of your ingredients, we can move on to the next step.
Cooking the Penne
Now that we’re ready to start cooking, let’s get our penne pasta ready. Here’s what you need to do:
– Fill your microwave-safe bowl with water.
Start by filling your microwave-safe bowl with enough water to cover the penne pasta completely. Make sure you leave some room at the top of the bowl to prevent any overflow during cooking.
– Add salt to the water.
Next, add a pinch of salt to the water. This will help enhance the flavor of the penne pasta as it cooks.
– Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high.
After you’ve added the salt, place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for about 2 minutes to bring the water to a boiling point.
– Add the penne pasta to the boiling water.
Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (remember to use oven mitts or a towel since the bowl will be hot) and add the penne pasta to the boiling water. Stir the pasta to make sure it doesn’t stick together.
– Cover the bowl and return to the microwave.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate to help trap the steam and prevent the water from boiling over. Return the bowl to the microwave and cook the penne pasta on high for 8 to 10 minutes. Make sure to check the pasta halfway through the cooking time and give it a stir to ensure even cooking.
– Drain the cooked penne pasta.
Once the penne pasta is cooked to your desired doneness, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave using oven mitts or a towel. Be careful, as the bowl and pasta will be hot. Place a colander in the sink and pour the penne pasta into the colander to drain off the excess water.
Serving Suggestions
Now that your penne pasta is cooked and drained, it’s time to enjoy your creation. Here are a few serving suggestions to get you started:
– Tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese
– Creamy Alfredo sauce with grilled chicken
– A simple olive oil and garlic sauce
– Fresh vegetables and a drizzle of balsamic glaze
The possibilities are endless when it comes to pairing your cooked penne pasta with different sauces and toppings. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combination.