How to Make Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner With Only a Microwave | Struggle Meals

No kitchen? No problem! Frankie Celenza (@frankiecooks) shows how you can still make delicious, nutritious and cost-efficient meals with just a microwave and some creativity.
CRUSTLESS MICROWAVE QUICHE
Yield: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 tablespoon half-and-half creamer
2 tablespoons deli ham, diced
2 tablespoons shredded cheddar
1 ounce spinach, chopped
Salt and pepper
Steps:
1. In a mug, add eggs, half-and-half, cheese, ham and spinach. Whisk with a fork, then stir in salt and pepper. Place in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes.
MICROWAVE PIZZA
Yield: 1 Serving
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Ingredients:
2 to 3 pieces mini pizza dough
1 tablespoon marinara sauce
10 mini pepperoni
2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry oregano
1 packet red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Steps:
1. Place one round of pizza dough in a mug; top with sauce, pepperoni, cheese, salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper and olive oil. Repeat with one more layer. Microwave 3 minutes.
MICROWAVE CHICKEN POT PIE - Dinner
Yield: 1 Serving
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons cream
3 tablespoons chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cup carrots and peas
1 tube crescent dinner rolls
Steps:
1. Add the cream and broth to a mug and heat for 1 minute. Remove from microwave. Whisk cornstarch into cream mixture 1 teaspoon at a time to prevent clumping. Stir in salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add chicken and vegetables to mug in batches, stirring after each addition to coat.
2. Unroll crescent dough, cut into a piece that covers the top of the mug. Poke dough with a knife to vent. Cook in microwave for 6 minutes.
Tip: Put plate beneath mug in case of overflow.
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[@alishahird897]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the condiment package drawer....every time its opened...I'm amazed

[@theangelkitty7779]

Wish he’d just like make a list of everything he has in it and like a good picture so we can see XD

[@alisha7483]

Honestly even I have the same and never buy oregano or chilli flakes or chilli sauce . Of course all this was pre covid

[@debralopez9185]

@@theangelkitty7779 He mentions what he has whole making food. Youu can take a picture when he opens drawer.

[@kaleidoscope_adventures]

Where does he get the butter though? I've never seen shelf stable butter packets

[@alishahird897]

@@kaleidoscope_adventures any resturant that has biscuits. KFC or IHOP is some i can think of off the top of my head.

[@lukedodson3267]

As a chronically single home cook, one of the most useful dishes ever is a 16 oz. round cappuccino cup made of oven/microwave safe ceramic. And the best part is that they're like $5 or less at any kitchen supply or home store.

[@johntrench]

And maybe a quarter at a yard sale, with a bit of Saturday AM searching.

[@jb6712]

I'm 67 years old; learned to cook and bake when I was eight years old and my mother was in the hospital, three younger sibs at home, Dad needed help as he was working full time during the day, and putting an addition on the house in his home hours. Always had a good kitchen to work in over the decades---HOWEVER! In 2017, I chose to leave my lifelong home city and state to move 800 miles away to be with and near certain people who are very important to me. Moved into what was meant to be only a temporary studio apartment with not even a kitchenette---but am still here three years later. Had to scrap nearly everything I knew about real cooking and learn to cook entire meals in just a microwave. I was gifted a more powerful one than is supplied here, thankfully, and now am able to make even such things as a full-size meatloaf (and thankfully, ground beef is my favorite "cut" of beef), mashed potatoes that are amazing, and other dishes I'd always made in or on a real stove/oven. I recently added an excellent waffle maker to my cooking appliances (so now I cook with a microwave and a waffle maker), and am able to make completely acceptable, downright good, meals for myself every day. While I never thought I'd end up living in such a place, with no kitchen, I can't complain; the rent is extremely affordable, I'm near the people who mean so much to me, I can afford high quality foods because of the low rent, and I have learned useful new ways of cooking that I had always heard were "only for the very poor or the ignorant." Hunh....guess I'm in excellent company then, because I no longer need all the kitchen stuff I used to think I "couldn't" live without. Thank you for making your videos, Frankie. While I do already know how to make 99% of what you show, it's rather fun to just watch you be a humorous version of Emeril Lagasse...without the expensive ingredients😊

[@herowither12354]

If youre still in that situation, you should try and find a 3-in-1 breakfast station. Theyre like, 150-300 dollars, and have a toaster oven, a griddle, and a coffee maker, in something not much larger than a microwave.

[@Adeline9418]

This was Soo helpful!!

[@Jacob_Roy]

Love this episode. Takes me back to college living in a dorm. One of my favorite microwave meals in college was making mushroom risotto. I would use leftover cooked rice and using broth add a litte and cook the rice add more microwave more. Keep repeating a few time. Adding a few cheap mushrooms and some frozen vegetable medley and celery salt. You had a hearty meal

[@johnbc]

Frankie singing about the microwave! 😂 Love it!

[@erikahettiaratchy1190]

How did you touch the cup right out of the microwave?!?! You are the chosen one!! Aaaaaa

[@coltonmartin5057]

Asbestos hands it's a chef thing

[@p.art4705]

It's never that hot...honestly.

[@MKD-dd6ng]

Fast camera switch....Probably had sat a minute and cooled! Then made you think it was instant grab once done....lol

[@wilhelminairis6675]

My sister who is in a different state from me is in a shelter; her room has a microwave - I googled microwave meals for people in shelters and this chanel popped up. THANK YOU, I'm on the phone with my sister and we are jotting down how to cook for her and the two kids. Hopefully, she will be able to leave the state soon to get to me and have a comfortable place to live.

[@whatselledone]

Frankie your creativity during this time (your live streams and the microwave jingles) has been a bright spot during this unpredictable year. Thank you.

[@tickledtoffee]

So true! Thank you for the cheap, easy recipes, and thank you for keeping our spirits up

[@FrankieCooks]

Thank you, happy to help

[@marialiedel7971]

Struggle meals makes my day. I forget about the world for a while, get excited to cook and Frankie's jokes and impersonations always send me laughing🤗 Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

[@readingchess]

Frankie is a national treasure

[@WilletteB]

I'm always impressed with Frankie's resourcefulness. I try to watch him often. Thanks for sharing your recipes with us. Blessings! 🙂

[@Adeline9418]

Im 65 and sooo tired of regular cooking so i just ordered a microwave rice cooker and a couple other things. Putting away most of my pots and pans!! IM SO EXCITED!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Keepingitrealwithapril]

I do the microwave eggs all the time. Chive sour cream makes it really good too. You can also add cream cheese.

[@darlinbabe7685]

Much love from bragg's barracks. Everyone here loves your show! Especially the stovetop chicken coconut curry...and anything microwave.

[@jessiep2471]

Shout out in NC. Thank you for your service.

[@darlinbabe7685]

@@jessiep2471 Thank you, I've only been in a little over a year but it's fulfilling. And gas is cheaper😅

[@KP-lt8op]

Your personality is enchanting! Love the creative ideas on this channel!

[@rachelhagen9176]

I will never look at my microwave the same again, it's not just for reheating my coffee, who knew...

[@BigTimage]

Y'know, I thought a microwave episode would have recipes that were pretty obvious, but this turned out to be really inventive! I might give these a try when I don't really have any time to cook!

[@slayerpianoman]

Last time I was this early, it was 8am and the bar didn’t open until 5. Unlike then, I actually learned something today.

[@user-nx4lc9pf5j]

The microwave songs killed me🤣

[@amiegamble1678]

I have a tween that will be considered old enough to be home for a couple hours after school. I was more mature at following directions at her age. I already knew how to make quite a few things. Unfortunately, it doesn't help I have gas appliances in my apt and she's a bit freaked out by the fire. Good since she's not being unsafe attempting to cook. We have a microwave and one of those plug in lunch boxes. (I have a sandwich maker somewhere, need to pull it out.) Oh and she uses the toaster. Just a thought...fun easy kid friendly after school snacks/meal.

[@Tatjanak1989]

Toaster bags for toasties, for burger, for reheating schnitzel, chicken tenders. Have her cook with you and under your instructions a few times. Cooking should be fun and if she sees what she can do, she'll want to lean more!

[@leosun9331]

Watching you on Tastemade, while I'm eating my multi veggie, calamata olive and feta cheese omelet. First time I'm seeing you. Your charismatic personality is infectious! So now I'm simultaneously watching you on TV and on KZbin! 😄 Keep teaching us and charming us!

[@mytreesloth]

Timer on micro showed 4:20.... coincidence? :) Cool vid, Frank. I actually recently learned how to make potato chips in the microwave, who the hell would've known.

[@sharriw2743]

Oh no coincidence implied or intended...🤫

[@saravannorman5347]

I totally make that breakfast on days I’m too lazy to wash a frying pan! Also microwave mug brownies are awesome for dessert! I’ve mixed pancake mix, cocoa powder, butter or coconut oil, sugar and milk. Microwave for a minute or two. Yummy delicious.

[@debbiemercer5298]

I love these for the microwave but how about some recipes for the toaster oven? I don't have a regular oven.. just a toaster oven

[@blamb9977]

So excited that new episodes are still rolling out!!! Keep it up Frankie.

[@shauyana8836]

3:35 absolute craziest moment of cooking history magnificent playthrough of words, breathtaking, flabbergasted by that statement

[@lenoreriley4871]

Love your work! Wish I had of thought of half this stuff while i was a student! But i am loving adapting your meals for a family of 7 and teaching my young teens and tweens to fend for themselves in the kitchen (on a budget!) Love your energy and your humour! Keep the videos coming!

[@yamiatemyugi]

The only reason I looked up this channel is that the touch stove in my temporary apartment isn't working and I have food I need to cook and I only have a microwave. These are excellent tips. I get Hello Fresh and due to the above-mentioned problem have to figure out how to cook said meals without a stove. I'll have to remember these for quick little meals when I don't actually want to cook

[@Turian_Primarch]

Love these recipes and Frankie singing is great! We need more!

[@Jennifr1966]

Tip for tomato sauce: buy Great Value Pasta Sauce from Walmart or some similar jarred sauce. Freeze into ice cubes, transfer to ziplock. (Honestly, I do buy ziplock but I find their storage bags are cheaper and can still be used in freezer! I also wash and reuse, as long as I didn't put meat in them.) Anyways, now you have however much tomato sauce you need and will not cost much at all!

[@brendakrieger7000]

Great ideas

[@calbear1313]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@jessicacox2999]

You're wife is a very lucky lady. 🥰

[@clementekpo7606]

He's got the best energy

[@meredithmitchell4264]

Such great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

[@nagamalya]

Check out Bigger Bolder Baking by Gemma Stafford she has a whole franchise of microwave mug meals

[@chriscoughlan5221]

i have poached egg every other day done in the microwave , just 1min 20secs to cook on full power, the other days i have porridge, which is also easy to make in the microwave!! with the addition of banana, 1/2 apple, few sultans+chia seeds, i use soy not cow milk. yummy and filling, dinner is quite often baked potatoes!! anyway like yr channel!!

[@gardeniagirl1374]

You are hilarious 🤣 I love this video bc you mentioned how / where we can get the ingredients. Ice cubes of tomato sauce? You know what struggle meals are! I have limited refrigerator space / dishes. No large mixing bowls nor anything like that here. I look for dorm friendly, microwave meals that don't use large appliances. Thank you for this helpful video!

[@Chris-id8qv]

This guy is so pure. I'm afraid to learn more about him

[@darkfangnightcrow]

I love this finally you got your own channel I'm glad and I instantly subscribed.

[@misselizabeth6631]

Just found your channel... you’re really cool! I love the colors and design of your kitchen

[@kristinehard9419]

You are so funny and inspiring. God bless you man. Have a safe and blessed Christmas and I hope your friends and family cook for you! 😃

[@darkfangnightcrow]

I love this finally you got your own channel I'm glad and I instantly subscribed. I'd love to learn what can be done with halloumi.

[@odddogwarrior9407]

Chef Mike would be proud, God rest his soul

[@m4115]

0:47 that controlled pour

[@alisonburgess345]

Very creative! Great video guys

[@EarlWallaceNYC]

I do have a full kitchen, I don't have is a full hour to make a meal. Thanks for the help.

[@justalurkr]

All of that tastes better than it looks by, like, a lot!

[@shanthanalur4714]

Pretty entertaining!!

[@kathyerickson9402]

Love it! Aside from the spinach...oddly enough, the most unlikely ingredient...it seems very doable...even with substitutes. And so cheap! Yay!

[@TokyoBlue587]

Easy recipes and we even get some songs about them. Brilliant as always Frankie 🙂 BTW I’ve made the eggs in a mug thing before, it’s always a good “go to” for a quick and easy breakfast.

[@SabrinaBree1]

New subbie here! I accidentally found you on my firestick/tv and looked you up here, so glad I did! You are so fun to watch and I'm definitely trying that omelet in a mug...or was it mug quiche?? either way looks nutritious and fast/easy. Thanks so much for doing this, I look forward to checking out your older vids. :)

[@jonathanfrederic2870]

How do you only have 29k subscribers!? Your show is great!

[@mimibutterfly1595]

These are awesome and I love the singing 😁

[@lynniferable2]

🕯🤩👨‍🎤 🎸 Those rock interludes got me!

[@laurenpollock978]

Could you do a video for vegetarian uni students?

[@garaj1]

Serious question, what is the texture like for microwaved premade pizza crust/dough? Does it taste like it has been baked or is it still soft and pliable even if it has been cooked?

[@sleepingterror7]

It's like a sponge. Hope that helps.

[@JXRDXNTYB]

At 5:42 the microwave stops at 4:20 lmao

[@HeartOfHippie]

I made bowl cozies to heat and hold hot things right out of Microwave

[@kimhallums9166]

👍 Good job! Instead of a mug, try using a microwave safe bowl for the pot pie.

[@faiekisaacs9370]

That song's stuck in my head now

[@Lyndy914]

For some reason you remind me a little of Matt on 7th Heaven [I just binge-watched it] Good job, very innovative recipes...

[@m.watene9319]

First time watching and ngl this guys hilarious, makes cooking funnier than it actually is 👍 10/10

[@jflores85]

The "Pizza In a Cup" Reminds me of that movie, "The Jerk" with Steve Martin

[@stuffplaces8424]

I love u!!!

[@m.p.6039]

Regarding the "quiche", you always have to cook things before sticking them in whatever, whether it's an omelet or a pancake or a pie etc. Otherwise it's never going the ingredients inside are never going to be cooked through and for some people that means indigestion, a very unpleasant thing to have to go through.

[@Buddhadarma]

How powerful is the microwave oven these dishes were cooked in? (How many Watts?)

[@312countrygirl]

What is the wattage of your microwave oven? Mine is a new 1200 watt microwave oven.

[@petercirrellijr9607]

Frankie definitely stopped the microwave at 4:20 on purpose

[@majormana1]

i'd have skip olive oil and i might choose bbq sauce instead maranaria maybe ranch if feeling crazy and probaly biscut dough

[@Ghostrob2023]

Here's an idea for the Chicken Pot Pie meal, after creating the Chicken Pot part of the meal, why not make it the same way as you did the pizza. Using a separate mug, adding the bottom layer of dough, pour in your mixture with the Chicken, add another layer of dough and put slits or holes in the top so it won't rise or explode in the microwave. That's basically how the pot pie is made that you get in the store. Just saying.

[@SaminSays]

This was truly a struggle meal!

[@rebeccamalin7072]

I'm a home health aide taking care of a homebound lady who has no way to cook but a microwave. I'm needing recipes that she can eat with no teeth. If you see this and wanna help, send links plz ❤

[@sarahmoviereviewer4109]

Please please please show off the packet drawer.

[@kristathehungrymelon]

definitely toss a little of the fake parmesan cheese (the packet kind you get with the pizza) on top of that quiche. And that pot pie, brush the top with a packet of butter that you took home from panera bread before microwaving, give it some fat and some color.

[@jcorona984]

Frankie's Ukelele Pot Pie Song: 4:08 5:27 5:49

[@fantasy2reality717]

I doubt this will be answered, but I'm about to be living on my own, and I really love jambalaya. Is there a cheap way to make it from scratch or is the boxed stuff my best bet?

[@sleepingterror7]

Highly recommend bringing with babish for a great recipe for it that won't break the bank. No box stuff became needed. ✌️😄

[@fantasy2reality717]

@@sleepingterror7 Thanks! I'll check it out!

[@dinanaser5179]

I want to make this but have no Marinara🙂

[@merryfreeman3474]

So.....just a thought, but those of us who are struggling don't get the chance to eat out often- if ever. Therefore don't have a package drawer. Could the price of your meals count the real cost wirh no free packages? Also i would love to know the total price and how many servings a recipe makes. I am a new subscriber and loving your videos.

[@MrAranton]

The prices are not precise by any means and - at least from the viewer's perspective - should be considered estimates at best. For starters: There's regional variety in prices. For any given food item the price in say Des Moines isn't necessarily identical to the price in Los Angeles, and some other prices vary depending on the season. The fact that Frank was able to get say ham at a certain price does not you'll be able to get ham at that price. With that in mind the inaccuracy caused by the packet drawer really isn't that big of a deal. When it comes to price there are two kinds of items in the packet drawer: a) Stuff like salt, pepper, spices, whose price per serving is negigibly small, even if you don't steal them. For example: Salt. If you buy the cheapest you can find, the amount you add to any given dish only sets you back a fraction of a cent. b) Stuff you need to buy a lot more of than you actually need and that has large price-ranges. Where I live you can buy 1.8 l of soy sauce for 7€, but if 125ml is all you can hope to use up before it goes bad, you'll have to spend 2€ on that - which is a lot more expensive per serving. There's no way Frank and his team can know how frequently the viewers use soy sauce, and how much of it they pick up at the supermarket. And there's something else at play there: A packet from the drawer is a precisely defined amount, but the price of that is unknown because it is part of a mixed calculation that includes other items. If you have a bottle of soy sauce, it's the reverse of that: The price per ml is known, but since most people don't measure out soy sauce and use a very variable "splash" of it, how much money ends up in the dish is pretty much impossible to calculate. The way I see it, the package drawer is a tool to facilitate the price calculation by avoiding negligible amounts, and not taking prices they can only guess out of the equation. But I'll give you one thing: Neither of those considerations apply butter and honey.

[@sleepingterror7]

@@MrAranton begs the question why make such a big deal and point about it. Sometimes it feels disingenuous. I look past it now for recipe ideas but I can understand how someone knew to this channel really trying to get that budget down could feel. ❤️✌️

[@maotingdew]

For the breakfast cup, replace ham with spam

[@gordonstewart8258]

These recipes are great and love learning new techniques but I remember my own youth, what it took to feed my kids in their growing years, and what it takes to feed my grandkids. These meals are about 1/3 the calories an active young woman eats, and anybody who’s fed a teenage boy, knows they’re starvation rations. Now I have an aging metabolism they’re barely adequate. I mentally quadruple quantities and prices. Those growing bodies are HONGRY 😭

[@kiarawentzloff941]

"Crustless quiche" its scrambled eggs m8

[@MsArlette1]

We live in South Africa....1 dollar just a loafs of bread...brown bread

[@LaundryFaerie]

"Microwavin' broth... ba ba, ba, ba..." Uhhhhh... don't quit your day job, Frankie. (We love you tho.)

[@regularwonderland]

I adore Frankie’s creativity, and have loved this series for a while. But I really find the prices distracting and frustrating. I’d rather just learn the meals- you don’t need the gimmick of prices, promise!

[@MrDalgerokChannel]

4:20

[@juliegolick]

How do you grow herbs indoors? I don't have a balcony and most of my windows don't get great light. When I've tried to grow herbs in the past, they've died. What's your secret, Frankie?

[@amiegamble1678]

Some indoor lights actually grow herbs. You can get bulbs that mimic outdoor light. I think it's certain fluorescents. But, you could get a grow light for an area to help.

[@MrAranton]

Herbs are not like herbs. Meaning there are plenty of differences in terms of how much light they need. Also there plenty of way to kill herbs. Keeping the soil too moist, not moist enough, fertilizing too much or too little or using the wrong fertilizers, trying to have too many plants in too little soil. Where and in which form did you get the herbs you were trying to grow? The pots they sell in supermarkets are designed to kill the herbs. They're way too crowded, the substrate is not suited for long term growth. They do that on purpose so you have to buy new pots every couple of weeks. A pot of herbs you buy from a market garden is usually more expensive, but it's less likely to be overcrowded and will have a better substrate. And instructions how to care for your herbs, which are invaluable for someone who takes the first steps into gardening.

[@SohanDsouza]

**GORDON RAMSAY HAS LEFT THE CHAT**

[@superash4u578]

He is SO sweet but I can't stand that bahbahbah thing 😂😂😂

[@kelleyg4894]

A crustless quiche is called a frittata.

[@harrychutney4618]

Kelley G only if it’s fried...

[@MsArlette1]

You are really Guffy weana

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

very disappointed that the pot pie didn't have any pot in it

[@dicedrice7216]

You've saved me! I have to get up at 4am for work. I don't feel like making breakfast at that hour, so I usually skip breakfast and then eat overpriced crap during my midmorning break. My coworkers will be shocked when I'm not cranky and hangry tomorrow morning!

[@ladywytch129]

You can mix it up the night before and keep it in the fridge. Saves a few minutes in the morning!

[@dicedrice7216]

@@ladywytch129 Perfect! Thank you!

[@messeduphistory8771]

...and this is why you stay in the same room as the microwave while it is cooking. JS

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Not a fan of the snacking lol but the food looked great

[@jpkosoltrakul]

Wait...isn't a quiche without crust, a frittata?

[@majormana1]

i just don't like cooking on stove to much standing still when physically disabled with adhd stand still over stove maybe stiring pot torture.

[@j3s0n]

Lol is this a man or a boy...

[@superash4u578]

Late 20s im gonna guess like 25

[@NikkiMKarLen]

This guy is making fun of poor people.

[@Yesica1993]

This guy is helping poor people.