Putting microwavable meals in the oven is a common question for those looking for an alternative to microwave cooking. The short answer is yes, you can absolutely put microwavable meals in a regular oven. However, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure proper cooking and avoid potential food safety issues.
Guidelines for Baking Microwavable Meals
When putting a microwavable meal in the oven, follow these general guidelines:
- Check the packaging – Look for any special instructions on the microwavable meal packaging for baking in the oven. Follow recommended oven temp, time, and preparation.
- Use a shallow baking dish – Transfer the food to a casserole dish, rimmed baking sheet, or other oven-safe container. Shallow dishes help facilitate even cooking.
- Adjust cook times – Microwavable meals will take longer to cook in the oven. Expect cook times to be about 1.5 to 2 times longer than microwave times.
- Cover with foil – Covering with foil will trap steam and help food cook evenly. Vent foil or remove during last 5-10 minutes if you want crispy top or sides.
- Stir periodically – Stirring or turning food halfway through cooking helps prevent uneven heating or scorching on sides of dish.
- Check internal temperature – Use a food thermometer to verify meals reach safe minimum internal temperature after cooking.
Benefits of Baking vs. Microwaving
Cooking microwavable foods in the oven provides several advantages over using the microwave:
- More even heating – Ovens distribute heat more evenly throughout food than microwaves.
- Crispier textures – Items like pizzas, fries, or chicken nuggets will get crispy in the dry heat of an oven.
- Better taste – Baking often yields better flavor development compared to microwave cooking.
- No rubbery textures – Microwaves can make some foods rubbery while oven heating maintains textures better.
- Larger portions – Ovens can accommodate larger portions or multiple servings more easily.
Tips for Common Microwavable Meals
Follow these tips when baking popular microwavable foods in the oven:
Frozen Meals
- Check oven safe status – Not all compartments may be oven-safe in frozen meals. Check packaging.
- Loosen or uncover – Remove any plastic film or loosen lids before baking to vent steam and avoid explosions.
- Add extra time – Plan for oven cook times up to twice as long as microwave times.
- Stir thoroughly – Stir thoroughly halfway through baking to redistribute ingredients.
Pizza
- Use baking sheet – Place directly on baking sheet for crispy crust all over.
- Elevate rack – Placing pizza on an elevated oven rack yields a crispier underside.
- Do not overcook – Watch closely near end to avoid burning bottom or edges.
- Add toppings – Feel free to add extra toppings like vegetables, cheese, or pepperoni before baking.
Nuggets and Fries
- Spread in even layer – Arrange in single layer on baking sheet to crisp all sides.
- Flip once – Turn fries and nuggets over midway through baking.
- Brush oil – Lightly brush frozen fries or nuggets with oil to make extra crispy.
- Use convection setting – Convection ovens will make crispiest results.
Pre-Made Soups
- Cover tightly – Keep covered entire time to retain moisture while heating through.
- Stir before serving – Give a final stir once baked before serving.
- Avoid diluting – Do not add extra liquid which can dilute flavor.
- Check scalding – Let cool 5 minutes then check temperature before serving to avoid scalding.
Pre-Made Sandwiches
- Directly on rack – Place sealed sandwiches directly on oven rack.
- Turn over – Flip sandwiches halfway through baking.
- Open packaging – Open plastic wrapping or remove from cardboard container before placing in oven.
- Avoid over-toasting – Watch closely to avoid hard, dried out bread.
Microwavable Meal Food Safety
Take care with the following food safety practices when oven-heating microwavable foods:
- Do not partially thaw frozen meals first or bacterial growth could start.
- Discard meals kept over 2 hours at room temperature after initial heating.
- Only reheat leftover microwavable meals once.
- Bring all ingredients like soups and sandwiches to 165°F internal temperature.
- Discard any meals that smell or appear spoiled after reheating.
Temperature Guidelines
Heat microwavable meals to these safe internal minimum temperatures in the oven:
| Food Item | Minimum Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Frozen meals | 165°F |
| Pizza | 165°F |
| Nuggets/fries | 165°F |
| Pre-made soups | 165°F |
| Pre-made sandwiches | 165°F |
Oven Settings for Microwavable Meals
Bake microwavable foods at standard oven temperatures of 350-425°F. Follow specific package instructions if available. Some general oven settings for common meals:
| Microwavable Meal | Oven Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen meal | 375°F | 45-60 minutes |
| Pizza | 425°F | 15-25 minutes |
| Nuggets/fries | 400°F | 18-22 minutes |
| Pre-made soup | 350°F | 15-20 minutes |
| Pre-made sandwich | 375°F | 10-15 minutes |
Tips for Reheating Leftovers
Follow these tips for safely reheating leftover microwavable meals in the oven:
- Only reheat leftovers once – Do not keep reheating the same meal.
- Use shallow containers – Place in oven-safe bowls or pans for quick heating.
- Add liquid if needed – Splash in a little water or broth if dish is dried out.
- Cover loosely – Covering helps retain moisture but venting allows steam to escape.
- Stir thoroughly – Stir a few times while reheating for even heat distribution.
- Check internal temperature – Test temperature with a food thermometer before serving.
Common Microwavable Meal Questions
Can you bake Hot Pockets in the oven?
Yes, Hot Pockets can be baked in the oven. Preheat oven to 400°F. Leave Hot Pockets in the packaging and place directly on oven rack. Bake 15-20 minutes until 165°F internal temperature. The crust will come out a bit crisper than microwaving.
How do you bake frozen burritos in the oven?
To bake frozen burritos in the oven, unwrap them and place on a baking sheet seam-side down. Brush with a little oil if desired. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping over halfway through. Check that internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Should you wrap frozen pizza in foil before baking?
It’s not necessary to wrap frozen pizza in foil before baking, but doing so can help prevent the crust or cheese from browning too quickly. Place pizza on foil on a baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 5 more minutes.
Can you bake microwave popcorn in the oven?
Yes, microwave popcorn bags can be baked in the oven. Place bags directly on the oven rack, folded side down. Bake at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops. Remove immediately to avoid scorching.
Conclusion
Baking most microwavable foods in the oven is perfectly safe and provides added benefits like crisper textures and more even cooking. Always check packaging instructions and cook to proper internal temperatures. With some simple adjustments to oven time and temperature, you can easily achieve delicious results baking microwavable meals in the oven.