Teens Sharing Take Out Pizza

4 Quick and Healthy Microwave Meals Teens Can Make Themselves

The next time your ravenous teen is short on time, skip the drive thru and try these four quick and easy microwave meals that will ward off hunger in a jiffy.
by: Rebecca Desfosse

Do you have a teen in the house? Then you know as well as anyone that teens are always hungry. And when it comes to busy teenagers, the microwave can be an amazing tool to whip up some delicious (and healthy) food on the fly. Not only is the microwave fast, it's safe to work with and easy to clean when accidents inevitably occur. Here are four easy microwaveable recipes your teen can turn to when they're short on time but big on hunger:

Microwaveable Salmon

Lemon Salmon Microwave Recipe

Photo source: Flickr

Salmon is one of the healthiest foods for teens due to its high fatty acid content, but it isn't always easy to make. This microwavable option takes just five minutes and tastes great.

Ingredients:

  • Single-portion salmon filet
  • Freshly-cut lemon slices
  • One tablespoon of parsley
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Place salmon skin-side down in a microwave safe container., and season with salt and pepper. Top with lemon slices and parsley, cover with microwave safe plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 3.5 minutes.

English Muffin Pizza

English Muffin Pizzas with Veggie Smiles

Skip the pizzeria and make your own pizza at home!

Ingredients:

  • English muffin
  • One tablespoon marinara sauce
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Your teen's favorite veggies

Instructions:

Toast an English muffin in the toaster. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Slice up some veggies, such as green pepper, mushrooms, or olives and add to the top. Place on a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 30 to 40 seconds until the cheese melts.

Mac and Cheese

Bowl of Microwave Mac and Cheese

What teen doesn't love an ooey gooey bowl of mac and cheese?

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup shredded cheese
  • Tablespoon of milk

Instructions:

Combine elbow macaroni with water, and microwave for 6 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add shredded cheddar cheese, and microwave for an additional 30 to 45 seconds to melt the cheese. Add milk and stir well.

Gourmet Granola

Microwave Homemade Granola Recipe

Photo source: Flickr

Microwave meals aren't just for dinner. This delicious granola kicks breakfast up a notch.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup shaved coconut
  • 2 cups of nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or peanuts
  • 1 cup of raisins or dried fruit
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Salt and cinnamon to taste

Instructions:

Combine butter, brown sugar, honey, water, salt, and cinnamon in a large glass bowl. Microwave on high for 8 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add old fashioned oats, shaved coconut, and nuts, and microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add raisins or dried fruit of choice.

Microwaves are a great tool to help teach your teen some beginning culinary skills and how to whip up a satisfying meal for themselves in no time.