Some days are just too hot to turn on the oven. These microwave meals are here for you when those days come.
14 Dinners You Can Actually Make in the Microwave
Updated on Apr. 13, 2024
1/14
Honey-Lemon Chicken Enchiladas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Honey, lemon and chili flavors blend wonderfully in enchiladas. My family devours this dish, so I also use the chicken filling for soft tacos with toppings. —Kristi Moak, Gilbert, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
2 enchiladas (calculated without optional toppings) : 349 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch.
2/14
Shortcut Sausage Lasagna
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
"My family and friends love this great tasting lasagna," writes Cindy Moore of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. "The recipe is almost foolproof. Best of all, there's no need to precook the noodles."
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 443 calories, 25g fat (12g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 1091mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
3/14
Asian Chicken Dinner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick microwave dish for two is perfect for a busy day. Soy sauce and chicken broth bring out flavors of the chicken and veggies. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 356 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
4/14
Swedish Meatballs
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
6 meatballs with 1-3/4 cups noodles and about 1/3 cup gravy: 834 calories, 33g fat (14g saturated fat), 248mg cholesterol, 1711mg sodium, 81g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 50g protein.
5/14
15-Minute Meat Loaf
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined a few awesome-tasting meat loaf recipes to create this flavorful version, which my husband loves. And because it's made in the microwave, the entree is ideal for busy nights. —Deb Thompson, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 386 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 954mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
6/14
Split-Second Shrimp
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use my microwave to hurry along the prep of this super fast shrimp scampi. It’s deliciously buttery and full of garlic flavor. We love it as a main dish, but it makes an excellent appetizer, too. — Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked shrimp: 157 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
7/14
Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Total Time
5 hours 10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a meal on busy days, I pop ready-made meatballs in the slow cooker to make this tantalizing Asian-style specialty. Nothing is more convenient than walking in the door to dinner. —Lisa Stepanski, Munnsville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
8 meatballs: 794 calories, 29g fat (10g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 94g carbohydrate (63g sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein.
8/14
Cod Delight
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I used to make this in the oven, but then I discovered that microwave lets me enjoy it even faster. It's a pretty dish to serve company. In fact, many of my friends and family now cook this at home. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 154 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat.
9/14
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 mini meat loaves: 330 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
10/14
Mexican Leek Soup
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup is so satisfying. You can substitute other beans, use kale instead of spinach or add leftover corn. For brunch, I add a fried egg on top. For dinner, my husband adds lots of hot sauce! —Donna Ahnert, Scotia, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 641 calories, 34g fat (19g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1240mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 11g fiber), 34g protein.
11/14
Mini Burgers with the Works
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I started preparing these mini burgers several years ago as a creative way to use up bread crusts accumulating in my freezer. They're delicious. —Linda Lane, Bennington, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 68 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
12/14
Peanut Butter, Honey & Pear Open-Faced Sandwiches
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I work a 12-hour night shift at a hospital, and when I come home in the morning, I don't want to cook a big breakfast. I love these sandwiches because they're versatile; sometimes I use apples instead of pears and different cheeses, such as Brie or grated Parmesan. —L.J.Washington, Carpinteria, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 open-faced sandwich: 268 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 446mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
13/14
Easy Tamale Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My whole family really enjoys Mexican food. When I'm in a hurry, I make this zippy deep-dish pie. It always satisfies their appetites. —Nancy Roberts, Cave City, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 305 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 740mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein.
14/14
Super Italian Sub
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like this flavorful Italian sub recipe that can be made ahead because it lets me relax with family and friends after a busy day as a teacher. Just unwrap, slice and enjoy. —Patricia Lomp, Middleboro, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 429 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1037mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
