7 Microwave Mug Meals to Try

I am a huge fan of quick meals. After a long day of work, chaperoning children around, housework, and general errands, I don't always want to cook an elaborate meal. I do want my kids eating healthy, though, so fast food and flash frozen grocery items are pretty low on my list of “Let's try this” meals. What's a frugal, health-conscious person to do?

Microwave mug meals, that's what! Here are seven of our favorite, fastest microwaveable meals in a mug for your busy life:

1. 1. Scrambled Eggs in a Bacon Bowl

      

      Whether it's a quick meal on the go for you or the kids, nothing says breakfast like eggs and bacon in a mug! You just need a few ingredients:

      • 2 eggs
      • 2 tbs milk
      • A touch of butter
      • 3 bacon strips

      About 5 minutes and a few steps later, you'll have yourself some bacon and egg goodness, all from the convenience of your microwave.

   2. Microwave French Toast

      

      It sounds incredible, but I promise – you can make delicious French Toast in a mug in your microwave! Just make sure you have

      • 1 tsp butter
      • 3 tbs milk
      • 1 tsp maple syrup
      • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
      • 1/4 tsp vanilla
      • Pinch of ground nutmeg
      • 1 large egg
      • 1 cup of bread pieces

      Combine the ingredients as directed and you'll have yourself a scrumptious breakfast in five minutes or less.

   3. Mac and Cheese in a Mug

      

      Yes, Easy Mac is a thing, but it's got nothin' on mac and cheese in a mug! There's just something about homemade foods, even if they're on a miniature scale. Simply combine your ingredients, microwave, and enjoy!

      • 1/3 c elbow noodles
      • 1/2 c water
      • A splash of milk
      • Shredded cheese to taste

   4. Cup o' Lasagna

      

      Who doesn't love some good ol' fashioned lasagna?

      With the convenience of a coffee mug and your microwave, you can enjoy this old world favorite anytime!

      • 2 sheets of lasagna noodles, broken into about 6 pieces each
      • 1/4 c marinara
      • 1/4 c chopped cherry tomatoes
      • 1/2 tbs chopped basil
      • 1/2 c mozzarella cheese

      In the interest of full disclosure, this mug o' yumminess will take you about ten minutes to make, but I promise the extra few minutes are worth it in the end!

   5. Creamy Chicken Casserole

      

      Whether you're looking for comfort food, a way to beat a wintry cold snap, or both, nothing beats a nice creamy chicken casserole.

      Except perhaps one you can microwave. Simply combine, microwave, and enjoy!

      • 1/2 c spaghetti noodles
      • 1/4 c half-and-half
      • 1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
      • 2 oz chopped chicken
      • 2 tbs frozen peas
      • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
      • 1/2 tsp onion powder
      • Pinch of salt and pepper

   6. Taco in a Mug

      

      We're huge fans of tacos in my house- Tuesdays usually are, as advertised, Taco Tuesday over here. Since I don't want to spend money on fast food, nor do I want my kids developing bad habits, they're usually homemade. So how can I do that without overheating my house, myself, and probably my family in the middle of August in the south?

      With a microwave, of course! (Come on, you knew that was coming!) All the deliciousness of your local taco joint contained in an 8 oz mug at half the cost and none of the driving? Sign me up!

      • 2 tbs flour
      • 2 tsp chili powder
      • 1 tsp cumin
      • 1.5 tsp dried minced onion
      • 1 1/4 tsp salt
      • 3/4 tbs beef bouillon granules
      • 1/4 tsp sugar
      • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
      • Dash of onion powder
      • Mix it all together and add about 2/3 c water

   7. Microwave Egg Scramble

      

      Saving the best for last, who else remembers having egg scramble for breakfast on a Sunday morning? It was one of my favorite meals of all time, but somehow I've never quite found the time to make it myself.

      Until I remembered microwaves, coffee mugs, and Google are all things, of course!

      • 2 eggs
      • 1 tbs milk or water
      • Shredded cheese
      • Sliced ham, bacon, or turkey (or all of the above – no judgment here!)
      • Chopped onion
      • Chopped red bell pepper

Whether you're only cooking for you, your whole family, or just a couple people – microwave mug meals are a great go-to for quick and easy meals. Very little prep time and short cooking times mean you get your food much faster with half the cleanup, too.

Do you have any microwave mug meals we didn't include here? Share the recipe with us in the comments below, and don't forget to pass this list on to your family and friends!