A Mug + a Microwave = Easy Meals

A handful of sweet or savory ingredients, a coffee cup, and a microwave are all you need to cook up these fast, fantastic mugfuls of flavor.
Published March 1, 2018

Pressed for time? You can still make a delicious meal. Check out these five delicious dishes you can make right in your microwave.

 

1. Black Bean Tortilla Soup


Combine ¾ c fat-free chicken broth, ½ c canned black beans, rinsed and drained, and 3 Tbsp salsa in a small mug; microwave 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp chopped cilantro and ½ tsp lime juice. Top with 5 crushed low-fat baked tortilla chips and 2 Tbsp reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend; microwave 30 seconds. Garnish with chopped scallions. SmartPoints value: 5

 

 

2. Ginger Pear Crisp


Place 1 ripe diced pear in bottom of a small mug. Toss together 1 crushed gingersnap cookie, 1 Tbsp quick-cooking oats, 1 Tbsp minced crystallized ginger, and a pinch of salt; sprinkle on top of pear. Drizzle with 1 tsp water and microwave for 3 minutes or until hot. SmartPoints value: 3

 

 

3. Chocolate Cake


Coat the inside of a small mug with nonstick spray. Combine 2 Tbsp powdered chocolate peanut butter; 1 Tbsp cocoa powder; 2 Tbsp warm water; 1 large egg white; 1 tsp each canola oil, vanilla extract, and agave nectar; ½ tsp baking powder; and a pinch salt in a small bowl; pour into mug. Microwave 90 seconds or until done in center; serve warm topped with 3 Tbsp aerosol whipped cream. (Add ½ mashed banana to peanut butter mixture if desired.) SmartPoints value: 5

 

 

4. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal


Oatmeal Combine ½ c low-fat (1%) milk, ⅓ c quick-cooking oats, ¼ c canned pumpkin puree, 1 tsp brown sugar, ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch salt in a small mug; microwave 2 minutes. Stir and let sit for a minute to thicken; serve garnished with additional pumpkin pie spice. SmartPoints value: 6

 

 

5. Easy Omelet


Combine 1 small minced shallot and 2 Tbsp minced red bell pepper in a small mug; coat with nonstick spray and microwave 2 minutes. In a bowl, mix 2 slices diced Canadian bacon, 2 eggs, 1 Tbsp water, a pinch each salt and pepper; pour over shallot mixture, stir. Microwave 1 minute, stir well, microwave 30 seconds more, and stir again. Top with 1 Tbsp reduced-fat shredded Cheddar; microwave 30 seconds to melt. SmartPoints value: 5

 

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