PASTA AND RICE
Microwave cooking and conventional cooking of pasta,
rice, and cereal require about the same amount of time,
but the microwave is a more convenient method because
you can cook and serve in the same dish. There is no
stirring needed and leftover pasta tastes just like flesh
cooked when reheated in the microwave oven.
Cooking
Pasta and Rice: Tips and Techniques
• If you are planning to use rice or pasta in a casserole,
undercook it so it is still firm.
• Allow for standing time with rice, but not for pasta.
• The Pasta and Rice Cooking Tables below provide
specific directions, with Power Level and cooking time
settings for most common types of pasta and rice.
PASTA COOKING
TABLE
POWER
COOKING
PASTA
LEVEL
TIME
DIRECTION8
Spaghetti
4 cups water
Add 8 ozs. spaghetti
HI
9-10 minutes
5
7½-8½ minutes
Macaroni
3 cups water
HI
6-7 minutes
Add 2 cups macaroni
5
5½-6½ minutes
Lasagna noodles
4 cups water
HI
7-8 minutes
Add 8 ozs. lasagna
5
11-12½ minutes
noodles
Egg noodles
6 cups water
Add 4 cups noodles
HI
5
8-10 minutes
5½-6½ minutes
Combine hot tap water and salt, if desired.
Use a 2-quart microwavable baking dish and cover with
vented plastic wrap for spaghetti and lasagna noodles.
Use microwavable lid or vented plastic wrap for macaroni
and egg noodles.
Cook as directed in chart or until water boils.
Stir in pasta; cook covered as directed in chart or until
tender.
Drain in a colander.
RICE COOKING
TABLE
POWER
COOKING
RICE
LEVEL
TIME
DIRECTION8
Long grain
2½ cups water
Add 1 cup rice
HI
4½-5½ minutes
5
14 minutes
Brown
2½ cups water
HI
4½-5½ minutes
Add 1 cup rice
5
28 minutes
Long grain and
wild rice mix
21/3cups water
Add 6 ozs. package
Quick cooking
1 cup water
Add 1 cup rice
HI
5
HI
4-5 minutes
24 minutes
2-3 minutes
Combine hot tap water and salt, if desired, in 2 quart
microwavable casserole.
Cover with microwavable lid or vented plastic wrap.
Cook as directed in chart or until water boils.
Stir in rice and any seasonings.
Cook covered as directed in chart or until water is absorbed
and rice is tender.
Let stand covered 5 to 10 minutes.
Fluff with fork.
Cook water until it boils.
Stir rice into boiling water and let stand, covered 5 to 10
minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
Fluff with fork.
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