Microwave Cooking Hacks for College, Home, & More

You already know how great Stasher reusables are for food storage . . . but have you tried cooking in them? Yep, our bags and bowls are all heat-safe up to 425°F in the oven, stovetop, and the microwave. 

Speaking of the microwave, it truly is a game changer when you’re in need of quick, easy meals. Whether in a tiny dorm room or just have no time to whip up a full meal in the kitchen, your microwave is the GOAT for simple sustenance. All it takes is a little imagination (and some of our awesome reusables)! 

Breakfast 

A lot of us skip it, but we definitely shouldn’t; it’s the most important meal of the day! With just a few extra minutes, a Stasher bag or bowl, and a microwave, you can cook up some truly delicious and nutritious breakfasts. 

• Sweet or savory oatmeal, using instructions on the box or packet for water/oat ratio. We recommend using a Stasher bowl to cook and eat directly out of.
• Perfectly poached eggs in a 4-Cup bowl by steaming them in water. Talk about a kitchen power move! 
• An egg omelet is also pretty easy to make in a Stasher bag or bowl. Just crack some eggs, toss in your fav mix-ins like onion and cheese, and pop it in the microwave for about a minute and a half. 

Lunch

Especially for college students (or those of us with busy, on-the-go schedules), making a quick meal that you can take to go is important. Your microwave is perfect for this because it can quickly heat up frozen leftovers like soup as well as help you make entirely new meals.

• Comforting soup from scratch or the store can be safely heated in a Stasher reusable in the microwave. Pro tip: Freeze portioned batches ahead of time to quickly grab, heat, and go!
• Ramen or quick chili garlic noodles — both easy and classic college snacks. And you can make both directly in a Stasher bowl with the help of your microwave.
• Reheated leftovers are a great, low-lift and low-cost lunch. Warming them up in a Stasher bag or bowl in the microwave helps lock in moisture, similar to aluminum foil. Just make sure to keep the seal partially open to let out steam!

Dinner 

When you’re living in a small space or don’t want to use lots of pots and pans, it may feel like making a nutritious dinner is difficult . . . especially side dishes! But with a little preparation, seasonings, and Stasher reusables, you can make some favorites just with your microwave. 

• Pasta noodles in water, which can then be easily turned into a healthy Italian dish with added marinara sauce, parmesan, and veggies. 
• Steamed veggies — like broccoli, cauliflower, squash, and more — in a 6-Cup bowl or Stand-Up bag. Just add your seasonings of choice, oil, and a little water (with the Stasher bag or bowl’s seal partially open). Here is a guide on how to use your microwave for it. 
• Steamed rice for the perfect side or as the base for a healthy bowl.

Snacks 

You may think that microwave snacks are a recipe for ultra-processed, unhealthy food, but it doesn’t have to be that way! In fact, you can use your microwave to heat up some of our favorite healthier alternatives that are just as delicious (and don’t require disposable plastic). 

• DIY microwave popcorn. It’s one of the OG Stasher bag hacks that can be customized in a ton of different ways. 
• Homemade applesauce in a Stasher bowl. It’s so good that even the pickiest of kiddos will love it, and it’s a great way to use up apples that have been sitting on the counter a little too long. 
• A microwave mug cake? No problem! And yes, it may not be as healthy as some of the other options, but there’s no harm in a li’l treat every once in a while.

What are some of your favorite microwave meal tips with Stasher? Share them on social by tagging @stasherbag — we’d love to see ‘em! And always remember to handle a hot Stasher with care, plus keep the leak-free Pinch-Loc® seal partially open when cooking in the microwave to let steam escape.