Fancy multi-course dinners on fine china are lovely when you’re in the mood to be elegant.
But sometimes you just want a warm, comforting dish you can eat while tucked under a blanket on the couch.
Microwave mug meals are an ideal way to whip up a tasty lunch or dinner fast — often before your cat can claim your spot on the sofa.
Best part: each recipe costs under $4.
5 Microwave Mug Recipes That Are Tasty and Budget-Friendly
Note: Always use a microwave-safe mug. Nothing ruins a meal quicker than a mug that explodes in the microwave.
1. Pizza
This single-serving pizza comes from the creative mind and microwave of chef Gemma Stafford at Bigger Bolder Baking.
You’ll need:
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour: 15 cents
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder: 1 cent
- 1/16 teaspoon baking soda: 1 cent
- 1/8 teaspoon salt: 1 cent
- 3 tablespoons milk: 63 cents
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: 30 cents
- 1 tablespoon jarred pizza sauce: 5 cents
- 1 heaping tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese: 42 cents
- 5–10 mini pepperoni, depending on how pepperoni-happy you are: 10 cents
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano, basil or dried Italian seasoning: 9 cents
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in your mug. Stir in the milk and oil.
Spread the pizza sauce over the flour mixture, then top with cheese, pepperoni and herbs.
Microwave for 60–90 seconds.
Allow it to cool for 1 minute so you don’t burn the roof of your mouth (same advice as for oven pizza).
Total Cost: $1.77
2. Lasagna
If you’re feeling a bit indulgent, make a steaming mug of cheesy lasagna. You can swap leftover pizza sauce for marinara if needed — it won’t be traditional but will still be delicious.
You’ll need:
- 2 lasagna noodle sheets, broken into roughly 12 pieces: 24 cents
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce: 16 cents
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil: 11 cents
- 1/4 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella: $1.70
- 4 tablespoons ricotta or cottage cheese: 27 cents
Place the pasta pieces in a mug or large bowl and cover with water.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir to prevent sticking.
Microwave another 90 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on preferred firmness.
Drain the pasta.
Stir the dried basil into the marinara, and pour about 2 tablespoons into the bottom of a mug.
Layer in the mug in order: one-third of the noodles, one-third of the sauce, one-third of the ricotta, then one-third of the mozzarella. Repeat twice more. Spread the cheeses to cover the pasta and keep it moist while microwaving.
Microwave the mug for 2½ to 3 minutes, until heated through.
Let it rest for 1 minute.
Total Cost: $2.48
3. Creamy Chicken Casserole
This rich, creamy mug casserole is a great use for leftover chicken; diced lunch meat or canned chicken are fine substitutes in a pinch.
You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup spaghetti noodles, broken into thirds: 22 cents
- 1/4 cup half-and-half: 58 cents
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese: $1.70
- 2 ounces chopped chicken: $1.00
- 2 tablespoons frozen peas, thawed and drained: 20 cents
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: 9 cents
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: 11 cents
- Pinch of salt and pepper: 4 cents
Put the pasta in a mug and cover with water.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir to stop the noodles from clumping.
Microwave another 1½–2 minutes, depending on desired doneness.
Drain the pasta.
Mix the noodles with the remaining ingredients in the mug. Microwave for 2–3 minutes until hot throughout.
Let it cool for 1 minute.
Total Cost: $3.94
4. Taco Mug of Goodness
What recipe roundup would be complete without tacos? Exactly — nowhere near complete.
You’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons canned black beans: 9 cents
- 2 ounces cooked chicken (canned works): $1.00
- 3 tablespoons salsa: 19 cents
- 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese: 42 cents
- 1 tablespoon sour cream: 10 cents
- 2–3 tortilla chips, lightly crumbled: 7 cents
Combine the first three ingredients in a mug.
Microwave on high for 1–2 minutes until piping hot.
Top with crumbled chips, cheese and sour cream.
Total Cost: $1.87
5. Swedish IKEA-Style Meatballs
After a day of assembling flat-pack furniture (or playing with grown-up LEGOs), recharge with this easy meatball-in-a-mug dish.
You’ll need:
- 6 frozen mini meatballs: $1.07
- 1 tablespoon flour: 4 cents
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder: 6 cents
- 1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes: 4 cents
- 1/4 teaspoon beef bouillon granules: 4 cents
- Pinch of nutmeg: 2 cents
- Pinch of salt and pepper: 4 cents
- 4 tablespoons milk: 8 cents
- 2 tablespoons water
Place the mini meatballs on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until heated through. Set aside.
Mix the flour, bouillon, parsley, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir in the water until smooth, then gradually whisk in the milk.
Microwave on high for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring every 30 seconds.
Add the meatballs and stir to coat them well.
Microwave 1–2 minutes more until fully heated.
Let it sit for 1 minute.
Total Cost: $1.39
Your Turn: What’s your favorite microwave mug meal?
Alexandra Hayes is a staff writer at Savinly. She tested each of these recipes so you don’t have to — and honestly enjoyed every single one.
