With the right microwave cookware, you can enjoy the convenience of quick cooking without sacrificing gourmet flavor.
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9 Genius Products That Make Microwave Cooking Feel Gourmet
Updated on Mar. 10, 2025
Culinary snobs might have you believe that your microwave isn’t to be used in cooking. However, we’re of another mind: Your microwave is too versatile, convenient and speedy to ignore. Whether you’re using it to heat up leftovers or defrost something for dinner later that night, they’re a valuable, ubiquitous tool that exists in just about every American household.
To use your microwave correctly, you’ll need microwave-safe cookware. That way, your food will stay put while you zap it and won’t leave a big mess behind in the process. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best microwave-safe cookware you can buy right now. Pick up a few pieces, and your microwaving experience is sure to only get better.
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Pasta Cooker
A watched pot never boils. So why not skip that step altogether? With this microwave pasta cooker, all you have to do is add pasta and water to the container, then nuke it in the microwave. The design allows for water circulation and cooking control, meaning perfectly al dente pasta every time.
Anyday Microwave Cookware
Anyday doesn’t just make microwave cooking products—it has elevated microwave cooking into an art form. We tested Anyday ourselves to see if it cut down on cooking and cleaning time. We came away impressed. The Anyday Starter Set contains two dishes and lids designed to meet your quick-cooking needs. When you’re thoroughly convinced of the brand’s superiority, build out your collection with the eight-piece Everyday Set and the 14-piece Complete Set.
Omelet Maker
Put away that sugary breakfast cereal! Now you can have an omelet in minutes. This microwave omelet maker can cook up to four eggs, along with your chosen toppings—all while you pour yourself a cup of coffee. Just pop in the dishwasher when you’re done.
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Vegetable Steamer
Microwaving is a smart way to cook your veggies without sacrificing nutrients. It couldn’t be easier with this microwave vegetable steamer. Throw your vegetables in the steamer basket, pour water in the bottom of the container, then pop on the lid and voila! Perfectly steamed veggies in a few minutes.
Bacon Tray
As much as we love bacon, the clean-up afterward can be a greasy headache. This microwave bacon tray will give you crispy bacon without the mess. The design drains away grease and moisture, which means perfectly crisped bacon and no dirty frying pan. Simply discard the grease and throw the tray in the dishwasher when you’re finished. Who’s ready for a BLT?
Microwave Crisper Pan
Microwave cooking gets a bad rap because often it can make food soggy rather than crispy. Well, no more! This microwave crisper pan is perfect for chicken nuggets, leftover pizza or hamburgers. You might not believe you just pulled your food out of a microwave. Get breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert on the table in minutes with these microwave recipes.
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Is there anything worse than opening your microwave to find a mess of food splashes inside? Use this collapsible microwave cover to keep all splatters contained. Cover food as it cooks in the microwave, then wash it in the dishwasher between uses. Bonus feature: We love the collapsible design for easy storage. Also check out how to clean a microwave in under ten minutes with everyday household items.
Popcorn Popper
Skip the bagged microwave popcorn for a tastier and fresher version with this Cuisinart microwave popcorn popper (it’s one of the best popcorn makers according to our Test Kitchen). Simply add popcorn kernels to the collapsible bowl, attach the lid and pop! Great for health-conscious eaters because it doesn’t even require oil. Take your snack to the next level with these gourmet popcorn recipes.
Oven Mitts
Taking hot food out of the microwave has never been so stylish—or safe. These adorable oven mitts will look lovely hanging in your kitchen, and serve their function well. Plus, we love that they’re 100% cotton and machine washable.
What to Look for in Microwave Cookware
To make the best use of your microwave, you will want to be absolutely sure your cookware is compatible. Here are some things to look for in your hunt:
- Microwave-Safe Label: Always ensure your cookware is properly labeled as microwave-safe. If it’s not microwave-safe, the cookware could heat up to dangerous levels, crack, shatter and/or start on fire. This is the most important factor to consider.
- Simplicity/Convenience: Your microwave cookware doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be safe to use. Stick with products with a lower learning curve so you don’t have to worry about getting frustrated. Overly complicated items will remove that convenience factor.
- Quality: Even if something says it’s microwave-safe, that doesn’t mean it’s high quality. Stick with brands you trust (or at least cross-reference professional and customer reviews) to ensure what you’re getting is good quality. This will also help with identifying items that will last longer, as low-quality kitchen gear usually breaks down quickly.
How We Found the Best Microwave Cookware
First, we took stock of the cookware landscape, casting a wide research net examining the huge number of products available on the market. Then, we parsed down that list by eliminating brands that weren’t up to snuff—prioritizing brands we have experience with and those that are time-tested and trusted by experts and amateurs alike. Finally, we whittled that list further by paying special attention to the remaining cookware’s quality, durability and user reviews. The final list is the result of all that work and represents the best options on the market today.
Why You Should Trust Us
Erica Young is a shopping expert specializing in home decor and kitchen items. Her carefully curated articles have appeared on Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest, Fox, MSN, U.S. News and World Report, Popsugar and more. Megan Mowery is a former senior shopping editor with hundreds of product reviews, including kitchen goods (like microwave cookware).
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest and Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
FAQs
What cookware is microwave-safe?
It is only safe to microwave cookware properly labeled as microwave-safe (usually a symbol resembling a microwave accompanied by the words “microwave-safe”). If you’re unsure if something is microwave-safe, you’re better off not finding out. Find another microwave-safe container, transfer your food to that, and then heat it up.
Which pots can be used in the microwave?
Use heat-resistant pots in the microwave like glass or ceramic. These materials can withstand extreme heat without any damage to the microwave or pot. Do not microwave metal pots.
What containers are safe to use in the microwave?
Generally speaking, it is only safe to microwave kitchenware and cookware if it has the appropriate microwave-safe labeling—which includes a symbol that looks like a microwave and the words “microwave-safe.”
What is the best material for microwave cookware?
Oven-resistant or oven-proof glass and ceramic are the best materials for microwave cooking. They are capable of withstanding everyday use, high temperatures and don’t crack or tarnish.
Can paper towels go in the microwave?
Yes, almost all paper towels are microwave-safe. You can use a paper towel under or over food items in the microwave, either to prevent spills or catch crumbs
