14 Delicious Dinners You Can Make In Your Microwave

Most of us tend to think of the microwave as a tool for reheating, melting, or defrosting, but the microwave is actually an oven, capable of cooking meals from scratch. With that in mind, it's about time we start taking advantage of the quick and easy cooking power of this convenient kitchen appliance.

Understanding the power settings and cooking time required for different vegetables and proteins is essential in order to get everything you can out of the most underutilized tool in your kitchen. Using the wattage to your advantage can help you achieve even the most finessed dish of poached fish, perfectly steamed vegetables, and gently poached eggs in a fraction of the standard cooking time.

Simple salads are improved with microwave-poached or –hard-boiled eggs; soups are made infinitely easier with the nuking power of this quick-cooking oven; and even the classic meatloaf can be achieved in a coffee cup.

Check out our 14 favorite microwaved meals perfect for feeding a hungry family or for a quick solo meal on nights when time is of the essence.

A simple blend of mesquite spices, sliced onions and peppers, and seasoned chicken can be nuked to fajita perfection in about 15 minutes. Warm some tortillas, and dinner is all set.

For the Chicken Fajitas recipe, click here.

Eggs, cheese, tortilla chips, and salsa in a cup makes for the perfect microwave chilaquiles. All you need is a quick minute in the microwave, and this filling dinnertime egg dish is ready to enjoy.

For the Chilaquiles recipe, click here.

A simple enchilada recipe can be easily converted for the microwave. Use this vegetarian enchilada recipe as a guide and do the following:

Place chopped onion in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap; microwave for one minute until tender. In a separate bowl, microwave sliced mushrooms, covered with plastic wrap, for 2 minutes until tender, stirring halfway through. Mix onion, mushrooms, canned corn, beans, and half the jar of enchilada sauce. Scoop into tortillas, roll, and place in a microwave-safe pan. Pour the rest of the sauce over the enchiladas, and microwave uncovered for six minutes or until heated through. Add the cheese and microwave until melted, about two minutes. — Michelle Kiefer

Click here to see the Vegetarian Enchiladas recipe.

Lasagna your nonna would be proud of doesn't have to be a time-consuming affair. Use this vegetarian lasagna recipe as a starting point, but replace the lasagna noodles with no-boil lasagna noodles. Mix the vegetables with the ricotta and 1 /14 cup of the mozzarella. Assemble in a microwave-safe dish according to the recipe instructions, cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap, and microwave for 15-20 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. — Michelle Kiefer

Click here to see the Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna recipe.

Skip the powdered cheese and messy stove-top cleanup with this easy mac and cheese that will have you reaching for only the best ingredients. Add a handful of spinach or fresh chopped tomatoes if you like.

For the Mac and Cheese recipe, click here.

Meatloaf in the microwave?! We know it sounds strange, but this meatloaf in a mug will satisfy those comfort food cravings, and can be made in less than 10 minutes.

For the Meatloaf recipe, click here.

Making a boiled has never been simpler. Boil an egg in your microwave for dinner and serve on top of a Cobb salad, salade niçoise, or with toast for a quick and easy microwave dinner.

For the Microwave Boiled Eggs recipe, click here.

Enjoy breakfast for dinner in less than three minutes with this egg scramble you can make in a mug.

For the Microwave Coffee Cup Scramble recipe, click here.

Make this fritatta for breakfast or dinner. You can add whatever vegetables and meat you want. — Taste of Home

For the Microwave Frittata recipe, click here.

Need a quick and healthy dinner to make on busy nights? Make this hearty stew of beef meatballs, potatoes, and fresh herbs in your microwave in less than 15 minutes.

For the Microwave Meatball Stew recipe, click here.

This healthy soup is made with a variety of vegetables and some pasta. It's a great appetizer or perfect to eat during the cold weather. — Taste of Home

For the Microwave Minestrone recipe, click here.

A simple poached egg can add a lot to salads, a bowl of grits, and soups. Simply poach your egg in a microwave-safe bowl, and then add it to a salad of seasonal greens and vegetables for a quick, easy, and filling dinner.

For the Microwaved Poached Egg recipe, click here.

Enjoy five-minute salmon cooked in your microwave on top of a bed of greens, with a side of steamed spinach, or alongside a warm potato salad. This simple dish requires little more than a microwave-safe dish and plastic wrap to achieve flaky, delicious salmon. 

For the Microwave Salmon recipe, click here.

Spicy chorizo, refried beans, shredded cheese, and fresh tomatoes are piled onto tortilla chips and then nuked in the microwave until hot and melty.

For the Microwave Texas Nachos recipe, click here.