Calling All Pasta Lovers: This Ingenious Gadget Lets Me Make Perfectly Cooked Spaghetti in My Microwave

Putting together a fabulous spread or an elaborate three-course meal for a dinner party with friends is always a blast: It’s a time to show off your skills in the kitchen, and it’s where you pull out all the stops, dirty all the dishes, and break out the “fancy” wine. However, this isn’t actually the toughest cooking you’ll do — no, the toughest challenges you’ll face in the kitchen are weeknight meals. Not because they’re involved, but because usually, the very last thing you want to do after a long day at work is cook. So, we usually make something that isn’t complicated or time-consuming, such as a pasta dish. Pasta is always an easy and delicious bet, and the process is usually a snap, save for one thing: waiting for water to boil on the stove. Depending on your cooktop, this can be a huge time sink, especially if you don’t have an electric kettle (Pro Tip: Everyone should have an electric kettle — they’re awesome.) Luckily, I found a great gadget that makes pasta night even easier than it already is: the Microwave Pasta Pot from Uncommon Goods.

Uncommon Goods is our go-to destination for unique, out-of-the-box gifts and gadgets — that actually work. And, this Microwave Pasta Pot is no exception. While it might feel a little strange to be nuking your pasta [the Italians have entered the chat] this simple and effective pot makes weeknight meals a complete breeze, thanks to its clever design. Its sturdy silicone body has a 34-ounce capacity and is microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe. The flexible lid doubles as a strainer, so if you were so inclined, you could drain, toss with sauce, and eat straight from the pot. The included manual lists pasta-to-water ratios and cook times for all sorts of different shapes and cuts, and all you have to do is pop in the noodles, add water, turn on the microwave, and voila — perfectly cooked pasta in a fraction of the time it would take on the stove.

I’ve gotta say, while this hasn’t completely replaced my normal pasta-making procedures, I really wish I had this when I was in college, or when I moved into my first apartment. It would have immediately leveled up my dorm room meals, and because it doubles as a strainer and a serving bowl, it’s perfect for small spaces with limited storage space. One tip I found is to let the pot sit in the microwave for a minute or two after it finishes cooking and to make sure you use a kitchen towel or oven mitt when you pull it out, because the edges get hot. 

And, with a 4.6-star average rating on Uncommon Goods, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who’s into this gadget. “This is a great product for college students, beginner cooks, and anyone who might just be a little bit lazy,” one reviewer writes. “My roommate loves making pasta late at night when she’s studying, or after coming home from a night out. This makes the process so much easier for her by cutting the need for a stove, stirring a pot, etc. All she has to do is pop it in the microwave and she’s good to go!”

So, if you’re looking for an easy way to knock out weeknight meals with the press of a button or a gift for a college student, someone with limited kitchen real estate, or a beginner home chef, look no further than Uncommon Goods’ Microwave Pasta Pot. 

Buy: Microwave Pasta Pot, $29