If you’re craving pasta but want something quick, this microwave lasagna is ready in 10 minutes. It has layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese for an easy single-serving dinner.
This microwave lasagna isn’t your traditional layered lasagna. But it does consist of lasagna noodles, tomatoes, and melty cheese. And it tastes pretty darn good.
Ever since I made my One Skillet Lasagna, my husband has been requesting it on a pretty regular basis. I love it nearly as much as he does. The only problem is, it makes one really large skillet full which should theoretically serve a few people or last us a few meals. but we consume almost the entire thing in one sitting!
I decided to try making a single slice of lasagna so we wouldn’t be tempted to eat an entire pot of lasagna. But it seemed like a lot of work to make such a small amount on the stove. And so I decided to use the microwave instead.
I’ve made other recipes in the microwave with success, so I thought I could make mug lasagna work, too. Although, it did take a few tries to figure out the best way to make it.
Easy Lasagna for One
Easy Lasagna for OneMy initial attempt involved dumping the sauce, water, and noodles and trying to cook them all together. A good idea in theory, but really, really messy in reality.
In the end, I cooked the noodles first, then added the tomatoes, sauce, and cheese as the top layer. It’s fast, easy, and definitely hit the spot. I’d say it also successfully limited me to eating one serving, but I actually ate all the messed-up ones too, so that didn’t quite happen.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of lasagna broken into six pieces
- Marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce
- Chopped cherry tomatoes
- Chopped fresh basil
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
You will also need a microwave-safe bowl or mug that holds 20 ounces. It should be wide and tall, too, so everything stays inside when you cook the lasagna.
How to Make It
Place the lasagna noodles in the bowl and add 12 ounces of water. Place the bowl on a plate to catch any water that might boil over.
Microwave the noodles for two minutes and then stir them to keep them from sticking. Cook them for two minutes more. At this point, the water will boil over onto the plate. Discard the water on the plate, stir the noodles, and cook them for two more minutes.
At this point, they should be al dente, but it they aren’t you can cook them again.
Drain all but one tablespoon of water from the bowl. Add the tomatoes, sauce, and stir to coat the pasta evenly. Sprinkle the cheese over the top.
Place a paper towel on top of the bowl (to prevent sauce splatters) and cook the lasagna for a minute to a minute and a half or until the cheese is melted.
Recipe Tips
- You can use other kinds of cheese like shredded provolone or Italian cheese blend. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese.
- For garnish, add some chopped fresh parsley, fresh basil, or freshly ground black pepper.
- I like to use jarred sauce to make it easy, but you can use homemade marinara or even leftover meat sauce. If you use homemade make sure that it’s not too thick – it should be the same consistency as a jarred sauce.
- If you want to make two portions, you will need to cook them separately.
We really like making this microwave lasagna – it’s like individual slices of lasagna that take no time at all to make. I’m sure I’ll make large pans of lasagna the traditional way when we have company, but for a fast meal when we’re craving pasta, this microwave version is great.
More Microwave Mug Meals
One Bowl Microwave Lasagna
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of lasagna noodles each sheet broken into 6 rectangle pieces
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tbsp chopped basil
- 1/2 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a very large microwave-safe bowl (use one that is both wide and tall and can hold at least 20 oz of liquid), add lasagna noodles. Add in 12 oz of water. The water level should cover all the noodles and should only reach about halfway up on your bowl. If you use a bowl that is too small, too much of the water will boil over and not enough will remain to cook your noodles.
- Place your bowl onto a large plate, to catch the water spillage that will occur once the water starts to boil. Put plate and bowl into the microwave and cook for about 2 minutes. Give your pasta a very quick stir to keep it from clumping. The water will be hot but likely not yet boiling. Cook for another 2 minutes. At this point, the water should have reached a boil and some of it may have spilled onto your plate. Quickly dump out the water spilled onto the plate, give your pasta another quick stir and check how close the pasta is to being done.
- Pop your plate and bowl back into the microwave. Cook your pasta for approximately 2 more minutes. At this point, your pasta should be al dente. If it isn't, you can cook a little longer. Drain water from pasta, reserving 1 tbsp of water in your bowl.
- Add in chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce. Give your sauce a quick stir to even it across your bowl. Sprinkle on basil. Sprinkle cheese over top. Put the bowl back in microwave. Cover surface with a paper towel (otherwise, your tomato sauce may splatter) and cook for approximately 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, or until cheese is completely melted and tomato sauce is warmed. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Great ideas. I am going to buy a good microwave as I dont like much the kitchen.
We have lots of Microwave Recipes you will have to check out!
I love this idea. I’ve been making your easy mug macaroni and love it. This will be a nice change.
thanks! The macaroni in a mug is definitely what inspired this!