Microwave recipes

Individual carrot-pork loaves made in the microwave with shredded carrots, oregano, and melted cheddar on top. A quick two-serving meatloaf ready in under 10 minutes of cook time.

Pecan pie pastry with finely chopped pecans mixed right into the crust dough, blind-baked in the microwave with dried bean weights. A nutty, flaky shell for any pie filling.

Pistachio pudding cake made with white cake mix and soda water, baked in the microwave and topped with a fluffy pistachio whipped icing. A retro green dessert in 30 minutes.

Microwave chocolate pots de crème made for two with German sweet chocolate, half-and-half, and egg yolks. Silky French custard, no oven, no water bath. Chills in the fridge.

Festive vegetable bake from the microwave with broccoli, cream of broccoli soup, and crunchy french fried onions on top. The classic green bean casserole spirit, ready in under 25 minutes.

Barbecued beef in crusty rolls uses leftover cooked beef tossed in a tangy microwave sauce with ketchup, Worcestershire, and brown sugar. A weeknight sandwich shortcut that skips the smoker entirely.

Sweet and sour stuffed cabbage rolls filled with ground beef and cracked wheat, microwaved in a tangy brown sugar, tomato sauce, and lemon juice glaze. A faster take on the Eastern European classic.

Asparagus vichyssoise made in the microwave with fresh asparagus, potatoes, and skim milk. This light, low-fat cold soup is blended silky-smooth and chilled overnight for a refreshing make-ahead starter.

Sweet potato pie with bourbon cream sauce: a spiced, custardy sweet potato filling in a flaky shell, scattered with pecans and crowned with a boozy bourbon cream. The microwave does the baking, so it's table-ready in under 30 minutes.

Skillet-browned boneless chicken finished in a microwave casserole under a fruit pie filling, white wine, lime juice and warm spice sauce. Sweet, tangy and spiced, served over noodles or rice.

Single-serving sugar-free berry pie with mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) under a graham cracker crumb topping. Bakes in a 6-ounce custard cup or zaps in the microwave for a portion-controlled treat.

Microwaved artichokes transform into edible bowls filled with tangy yogurt-dill sauce and crowned with tender poached shrimp for an elegant appetizer that looks restaurant-fancy but cooks in 45 minutes.

Tender sirloin kabobs with pineapple and peppers in a sweet soy-maple marinade. Microwave method keeps it lean and fast, ready in under 90 minutes with just 8 minutes of cooking.

Ground beef and pearl barley casserole with tomatoes, bell pepper, celery, and tomato paste. A filling one-dish meal you can make in the microwave or oven in about an hour.

Curry basmati rice with your choice of vegetables, designed for easy meal prep. Cook the rice, pack with raw veggies, and microwave at work for a hot, healthy lunch in minutes.

Creamy low-fat spread blending apples, dates, cottage cheese, and toasted almonds with cinnamon. Make it in the microwave and food processor for easy entertaining on raisin toast or apple slices.