How to Cook Elbow Macaroni: Stovetop & Microwave Methods

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Plus, delicious macaroni pasta recipes

Co-authored by Chef Jeff Woodward and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: September 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Boiling in Water
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• Simmering in Milk
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• Microwaving
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• Recipe Ideas
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• Video
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• Expert Interview
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• Tips

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Elbow macaroni is a classic and beloved comfort food. Elbow mac is perfect for soaking up delicious, thick sauces, providing a satisfying chewy texture to soups, and even as the base noodle in grandma’s famous pasta salad. To make sure whatever elbow macaroni dish you make is truly show-stopping, we’ll teach you how to perfectly cook it for that al dente excellence. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to all things macaroni, including expert tips from professional chefs.

How to Microwave Elbow Macaroni Pasta

1. Boil 16 ounces of dry macaroni in 4-6 quarts of salted water for 7-8 minutes.
2. Simmer 2 1/2 cups of milk and 1/4 cup of water together.
3. Stir in 2 cups of macaroni and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of macaroni to a large bowl.
5. Pour enough water to cover the pasta by 2 inches.
6. Microwave for 11-12 minutes.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Boiling Elbow Macaroni Pasta

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1. 
   1
   Bring 4 to 6 quarts (3.8 to 5.7 liters) of salted water to a boil. Pour the water into a large pot and add several pinches of salt. Put the lid on the pot and turn the burner to high. Heat the water until it begins to boil and steam escapes from under the lid.

   • 4-6 quarts of water is the standard amount for cooking 1 lb (453.5), which yields about 8 servings.
   • To make a single serving, heat 2 to 3 quarts (1.9 to 2.3 liters) of water and reduce the amount of elbow macaroni between 1/2 cup to 1 cup (42 to 84 g).

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Taylor DeCosta is an Executive Chef with over 10 years of professional experience.

   Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef with over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

   Mark Nichols is a Classically Trained Chef & BBQ Expert with over 30 years in the hospitality and culinary industry.
2. 
   2
   Stir in the dry elbow macaroni noodles. Use a spoon to stir the noodles so they don't clump together as they cook.

   • The water will stop bubbling right after you add the noodles.
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3. 
   3
   Bring the water back to a boil and cook the noodles for 7 to 8 minutes. Keep the lid off the pot and heat the noodles over high heat. The water should start to bubble vigorously. Stir the noodles occasionally and cook the elbow macaroni until it's al dente. This should take 7 minutes. If you want softer noodles, cook them for 1 more minute.

   • Noodles are considered al dente when they are fully cooked but still retain a firm texture.
4. 
   4
   Drain the noodles before using them. Turn off the burner and set a colander in the sink. Carefully pour the noodles into the colander so the water drains. Use the noodles while they're still hot.

   • If you want to make the noodles ahead of time, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Reheat the noodles in your favorite sauce or casserole.
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Section 2 of 4:

Simmering Elbow Macaroni in Milk

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1. 
   1
   Combine the milk and water. Cooking pasta in milk typically results in a thicker, creamier texture, perfect for dishes like mac and cheese or alfredo-based pastas. Measure 2 1/2 cups (590 ml) of milk and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water into a large pot on the stove. This will make 6-10 servings of pasta, depending on the specific dish and desired doneness of the noodle.

   • To make a single serving, cut the amount of milk, water, and noodles in half.
   • You can use low-fat milk for this recipe, but whole milk will make the pasta creamier.
2. 
   2
   Bring the liquids to a boil over medium heat. Keep the lid off the pot and heat the liquids, so they begin to bubble vigorously.

   • Avoid heating the liquids over high heat, or the milk will scorch on the bottom of the pot.
3. 
   3
   Reduce the heat and stir in the elbow macaroni. Turn the burner down to low and stir in 2 cups (168 g) of elbow macaroni noodles.
4. 
   4
   Simmer the noodles for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pasta simmered in milk should be cooked on a lower heat since milk has a lower boiling point than water, and is at risk for curdling and burning, which is why pasta in milk takes longer to cook. Keep the lid off the pot and let the noodles bubble gently until they're as soft as you like. Stir the noodles every few minutes to prevent them from clumping or burning.

   • If the liquid evaporates, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of milk whenever the liquid level looks low.
5. 
   5
   Drain and use the noodles immediately. Decide if you want to use the hot milk in the recipe you're making or if you want to drain it. If you want to save the milk, set a large bowl in the sink and place a strainer or colander over it. Use the hot elbow noodles immediately in your recipe or put them in an airtight container. Refrigerate the noodles and use them within 3 or 4 days.

   • If you'd like to use the hot milk, consider thickening it with a roux and stirring in shredded cheese. Toss the noodles into this simple cheese sauce for an easy macaroni and cheese.
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Section 3 of 4:

Microwaving Elbow Macaroni Pasta

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1. 
   1
   Place the elbow macaroni into a large bowl and pour water over it. Measure 1/2 cup to 1 cup (42 to 84 g) of dry elbow macaroni noodles into a microwave-safe bowl. Pour enough water to cover the noodles by 2 inches (5 cm).

   • The noodles will absorb the water as they cook, so use a bowl that's large enough for them to expand.
   • This will make 1 to 2 servings. If you'd like to double the amount, use a larger bowl and add more water.
2. 
   2
   Set the bowl on a plate and put it in the microwave. Place a microwave-safe plate under the bowl to catch any water that might boil over. Put the plate and bowl in the microwave.
3. 
   3
   Microwave the elbow macaroni for 11 to 12 minutes. Turn on the microwave and heat the noodles so the water begins to boil and the noodles soften. Once the timer beeps, check the noodles to see if they're as soft as you want.

   • If you want softer noodles, microwave them for another 1 to 2 minutes.
4. 
   4
   Drain and use the elbow macaroni immediately. Set a colander or strainer in the sink. Wear oven mitts to remove the bowl of cooked elbow macaroni from the microwave. Pour the noodles and water into the colander so the water drains.tir the cooked elbow macaroni into your favorite sauce or soup. Refrigerate the leftover elbow macaroni in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
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Section 4 of 4:

Recipe Ideas with Elbow Macaroni

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1. 
   1
   Make macaroni and cheese. Cook melted butter with flour in a saucepan to make a paste. Whisk in milk and butter to make a simple white sauce. Stir in your favorite shredded cheese and mix in the cooked elbow macaroni noodles.

   • You can serve the macaroni and cheese immediately or transfer it to a baking dish. Cook the macaroni and cheese until it's bubbly.
   • Executive Chef Taylor DeCosta notes that macaroni and cheese is “the most traditional way that you use elbow macaroni” and calls it “very nostalgic.”
   • For added flavor, chef and BBQ expert Mark Nichols recommends that you use pre-smoked cheese. Nichols says other ingredients, like smoked bacon or ham, can also give the dish a more nuanced flavor.
2. 
   2
   Bake a casserole. Combine the cooked elbow macaroni with shredded chicken, chopped ham, or canned tuna. Stir in diced vegetables and your favorite seasonings. Mix in canned soup, pasta sauce, or beaten eggs to hold the casserole together and transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Bake the casserole until it's golden and bubbly.
3. 
   3
   Create a cold pasta salad. Cool the elbow macaroni noodles and stir them with salad dressing. Stir in diced crunchy vegetables, shredded cheese, and boiled eggs or cooked meats. Refrigerate the pasta salad for a few hours before serving it. DeCosta says that macaroni salad is very popular in Hawaiian food culture, so consider adding grated carrots and onions for that tropical twist.

   • Private chef Jeff Woodward offers another way to make your pasta salad. He says it’s all about having tons of “fresh vegetables.
   • Woodward shares that a “lighter dressing” that is half mayonnaise and half flavored vinegar works well.
   • Woodward encourages that you “keep it simple” with “salt, pepper, celery, onions, peppers,” and maybe “some broccoli or cauliflower.”
4. 
   4
   Spread pasta sauce over the noodles. For a quick meal, heat your favorite pasta sauce such as marinara or alfredo sauce. Spoon the sauce on the cooked elbow macaroni and sprinkle it with grated Parmesan cheese.

   • You can also stir in cooked ground beef, sautéed shrimp, or meatballs.
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Video

More Macaroni Recipes

Sample Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Sample Macaroni Salad Recipe

Tips

• Depending on the recipe, you may be able to stir dry elbow macaroni directly into soups or casseroles. The noodles will cook as the soup simmers or the casserole bakes.
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