I can only imagine what it must have been like when the microwave was invented. Suddenly, instead of stovetop and oven cooking and reheating, there was this magical box that did it all. Yet here we are, and most of us haven’t even begun to grasp all the microwave can do. Thankfully we now have the internet and social media where people share and exchange hacks and recipes, just like I’m about to do now. Because if you have a microwave, you definitely need to be trying out new ways to cook and create with it. It’s really for more than thawing and reheating your leftovers, and here’s the recipes to prove it!
You thought Kraft Dinner was as easy as it gets. Oh boy oh boy, it gets easier.
https://www.babble.com/best-recipes/instant-mug-o-mac-cheese-in-the-microwave/ Photo by: Babble
2
All you need is a potato, water, salt and a microwave.
http://thisweekfordinner.com/2014/05/22/easy-homemade-microwave-chips/ Photo by: This Week For Dinner
3
Need a little comfort food? You don’t need to even break out the casserole dish for this one. Single servings made microwave easy!
http://thetiptoefairy.com/2015/01/cheesy-broccoli-rice-casserole-one/ Photo by: The Tip Toe Fairy
4
We’ve all been there. You need a quick dessert that will work with what you’ve got in the cupboard, and no time for baking. Enter – microwave fudge.
http://www.eatingonadime.com/3-minute-microwave-fudge/ Photo by: Eating On A Dime
5
Forget fast food drive-thru lines, you can skip them and save time and money with this easy breakfast idea.
http://www.yellowblissroad.com/scrambled-egg-in-a-mug-and-a-2-minute-breakfast-sandwich/ Photo by: Yellow Bliss Road
6
Yes, you can microwave your salmon dinner! Don’t let cooking fish intimidate you. You can make this delicious salmon with a filet, and a few ingredients in your cupboard.
http://healthyaperture.com/blog/post/the-recipe-redux-simple-smoked-paprika-salmon Photo by: Healthy Aperature
7
Mexican in the Microwave?!
http://flippindelicious.com/2014/06/10-minute-gluten-free-enchiladas.html Photo by: Flippin’ Delicious
8
MAGIC! While raw cookie dough is rather amazing, it’s also kinda dangerous to indulge in. So why not just whip these cookies up in the microwave and call it a night?
http://www.mrfood.com/Cookie-Recipes/Magic-Microwave-Cookies Photo by: Mr. Food
9
This is actually legit. I stopped boiling water for corn a couple years ago after I discovered that steaming your corn in the husk, in the microwave, made the perfect cob. Every time. You’ve gotta try this!
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_easiest_way_to_microwave_corn_on_the_cob/ Photo by: Simply Recipes
10
Mug cakes were the microwave miracle of the decade (yeah, I just called it) but microwave DONUT? Well now that’s a contender.
https://tipbuzz.com/donut-mug-cake/ Photo by: Tip Buzz
Since successfully losing 100lbs by changing her relationship with food and her body, Sarah has taken her passion for food and balanced it between cucumbers and cupcakes. When she's not bustling her way around a kitchen, you can find her working out or winding down at home with her 3 kids and pug. Follow Sarah's journey on Instagram @TheBirdsPapaya.