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.