COOKING
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 fresh 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
TYPE OF PASTA POWER COOKING TIME DIRECTIONS
LEVEL
Spaghetti
4 cups water Add
8 oz. spaghetti
Macaroni
3 cups water Add
2 cups macaroni
Lasagna noodles
4 cups water Add
8 oz. lasagna noodles
Egg noodles
6 cups water Add
4 cups noodles
HI
5
HI
5
Hi
5
HI
5
9 to 10 minutes
71/2to 81/2minutes
6 to 7 minutes
51/2to 61/2minutes
7 to 8 minutes
11 to 121/2minutes
8 to 10 minutes
51/2to 61/2minutes
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 at Power Level HI as directed in chart or until
water boils. Stir in pasta; cook covered at Power Level
5 as directed in chart or until tender.
Drain in a colander.
Rice Cooking Table
TYPE OF RICE POWER COOKING TIME DIRECTIONS
LEVEL
Long grain
2 1/4cups water Add
1 cup rice
Brown
2 1/2cups water Add
1 cup rice
Long grain and
wild rice mix
2 1/3cups water Add
6 oz. pkg.
Quick cooking
1 cup water Add
1 cup rice
HI
5
HI
5
Hi
5
HI
41/2to 51/2minutes
14 minutes
41/2to 51/2minutes
28 minutes
4 to 5 minutes
24 minutes
2 to 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 at
Power Level HI or until water boils. Stir in rice and any
seasonings.
Cook covered as directed in chart at Power Level 5 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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