Penne Pasta
The purists might insist that boiling in salt water is the only way to cook pasta, but the microwave more than holds its own when it comes to perfectly al dente penne.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.
Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels.
Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.
For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.
Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:
PL 10 = 100% = High (default)
PL 9 = 90% = High
PL 8 = 80% = Med-High
PL 7 = 70% = Med-High
PL 6 = 60% = Medium
PL 5 = 50% = Medium
PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low
PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low
PL 2 = 20% = Low
PL 1 = 10% = Low
You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.
Cook Times
| Grain | 1 cup | 2 cups |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1 ¼ cups | 2 ½ cups |
| Time | 14 mins | 21 mins |
Max Quantities
Medium Deep Dish: 1 cup
Large Deep Dish: 2 cups
Changing your power level
Did you know your microwave has different power levels? The default is full power, but lower power levels are helpful for certain foods like grains, which tend to bubble over if cooked at full power, or custards, which require gentle simmering.
Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.
For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.
Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:
PL 10 = 100% = High (default)
PL 9 = 90% = High
PL 8 = 80% = Med-High
PL 7 = 70% = Med-High
PL 6 = 60% = Medium
PL 5 = 50% = Medium
PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low
PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low
PL 2 = 20% = Low
PL 1 = 10% = Low
You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.
Want more penne recipes?
Level it Up!
Try these versatile flavor combinations with this cooked ingredient.
Pesto: Mix with pesto and parmesan
Creamy: Mix with a can of cream of mushroom soup, tomato bisque, pasta sauce, or alfredo sauce
Pasta salad: Mix with honey, balsamic, and mustard, topped with cherry tomatoes and arugula or raw spinach.
Vegan: Mix with hummus, black olives, and cherry tomatoes
