20. Meaty Spaghetti (Makes 2-4 servings) Cost: $8.56
What You’ll Need:
2 packages ramen noodles, any flavor
2 cups spaghetti sauce (I used Hunt’s Basil, Garlic, and Oregano flavored)
3 oz. tomato paste
1 lb. ground turkey
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Suggested spices: Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme
Cooking Instructions:
– Cook the ground turkey in a pan on medium heat until it is brown and tender (making sure there is no more pink color to it). Drain any fat from the meat once it is done cooking.
– While the meat is browning, cook noodles in water according to package directions and drain.
– Over medium heat, combine the cooked meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and salt and pepper to taste.
– Add in some or all of the suggested spices (if you have them) to flavor the sauce to your liking. (Adding just Italian seasoning is an easy way to get a well-rounded flavor without having to buy multiple spices.)
– Heat sauce for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.
– Spoon sauce over warm noodles and then sprinkle with cheese.
19. Quick Ramen Bowl (Makes 1-2 servings) Cost: $8.33 (without mushrooms)
What You’ll Need:
1 package ramen noodles, any flavor
1 cup fresh spinach
2 whole green onions
1 large egg (optional)
1 tsp. chili garlic paste (optional- I used Sriracha, because chili garlic paste was too pricy)
Cooking Instructions:
– In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, wash and slice your vegetables. Once the water is boiling, add the dry noodles and cook according to the package directions. Add the seasoning packet (or half the packet if you prefer less sodium) and stir until dissolved.
– Turn the heat down to medium and stir in all your vegetables. Allow them to sit in the hot (not boiling) broth for 1-2 minutes or until slightly softened.
– Make a well in the center of the pot and crack the egg into it. Allow the egg to poach in the broth until the white are solid, but the yolk is still runny. (The water should not be boiling at this point or else the egg will dissolve into small pieces and make a cloudy broth and no delicious yolk).
– Pour the soup into a bowl and serve with a dollop of chili garlic paste on the side. (If you don’t have chili garlic paste, you can always substitute it for another hot sauce you do have available if you would still like a spicy soup.
18. Pad Thai Ramen (Makes 1-2 servings) Cost: $7.54
What You’ll Need:
1 package ramen noodles, any flavor
1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
3 tbsp. chunky peanut butter (or smooth peanut butter and chopped peanuts)
2 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce
1/2 scallion thinly sliced
Cooking Instructions:
– Prepare ramen noodles (without the flavor packet) according to package directions.
– Drain most (but not all) of the liquid from the noodles.
– Toss noodles and remaining liquid with soy sauce, peanut butter, and Sriracha.
– Garnish with scallion and enjoy!
17. Breakfast Ramen (Makes 2-3 servings) Cost: $9.98
What You’ll Need:
2 cups water
1 package chicken ramen noodles
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 small tomato, diced
1 green onion (green and white parts), diced
Cooking Instructions:
– In a small saucepan, boil water. Add noodles and cook according to package directions (about 3 minutes). Drain noodles and place in a large bowl.
– Beat eggs and pour over noodles; toss. Add cheese and toss again.
– In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook bacon pieces until bacon starts to crisp, stirring regularly to keep pieces separated.
– Add tomato and green onion and continue to cook until bacon is done. Add noodles and toss until evenly distributed.
– Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring to ensure all the egg has been cooked completely. Noodles will begin to brown.
16. Chicken Noodle Soup (makes 6-8 servings) Cost: $8.45
What You’ll Need:
1 can whole potatoes, cubed
1 onion, chopped
1 (16-oz.) bag baby carrots
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves (or 1/4 tsp. ground thyme)
1/2 tsp. pepper
6 cups water, divided
2 packages chicken ramen noodles, with seasoning packets
2 bay leaves
Suggested spices: Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic salt, Zesty seasoning blend, salt
Cooking Instructions:
– In a 4- to 5-quart crock-pot, layer the potatoes, onion, carrots, and chicken. Sprinkle with thyme, pepper, and any other suggested seasonings you may have.
– In a small bowl, blend 1 cup water and the seasoning packets from the ramen noodles. Pour over chicken and vegetables, add bay leaves and remaining water.
– Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or until the vegetables and chicken are tender. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
– Stir in noodles and cover. Cook on high for 10-12 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring once during cooking.
15. Cheesy Ramen Noodles (Makes 1 serving) Cost; $3.79
What You’l Need:
1 package ramen noodles, any flavor
1-2 slices American cheese
Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions:
– Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain all but about 1-2 tablespoons of the water from the noodles.
– Break up the 1-2 cheese slices (however much you prefer) into pieces and mix in with the noodles until the cheese is melted and forms a cheese sauce with the remaining water.
– Salt noodles to taste and enjoy your mac and cheese style ramen!
14. Oriental Salad with Ramen Noodles (Makes 1-2 servings) Cost: $8.25
What You’ll Need:
1 bag coleslaw
1 package oriental ramen noodles
1 small bag almonds, chopped (buy them in bulk to get them cheaper)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
Cooking Instructions:
– Preheat oven to 300-degrees.
– Line a cookie sheet with foil to save on clean up. Spread the bag of slivered almonds over the foil. Break up the uncooked noodles in the packet of ramen noodles and spread them out with the slivered almonds. Bake noodles and almonds for about 12 minutes or until golden.
– While the noodles and almonds are baking, mix up the dressing. Start by measuring the sugar, then mixing in the oil, so the sugar doesn’t stick to the oil in the measuring cup. Stir all the ingredients together and set aside until you’re ready to toss salad.
– Put the cole slaw in a large bowl. Add the toasted almonds and ramen noodles and mix.
– The dressing constantly separates, so right before you add it to the salad, stir well. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss.
13. Hot and Sour Soup with Ramen Noodles (Makes 6 servings) Cost: $9.69
What You’ll Need:
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water
4 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup bean sprouts
1 package ramen noodles, any flavor
1 eggs, whisked
4 green onions, chopped
Cooking Instructions:
– Place all ingredients, except for the egg and green onion, in a large pot and bring to a boil.
– When the soup is boiling, slowly pour in the whisked egg.
– Remove from heat and add the green onions.
12. Vegerable Chow Mein (Makes 4 servings) Cost: $9.98
For this recipe, you can change up the vegetables to put in the chow mein. Use whatever you have available.
What You’ll Need:
4 packages ramen noodles, any flavor
1 medium onion, slices
1 green pepper, julienne
1 cup cabbage, julienne
2 medium carrots, julienne
2 cups baby corn, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup french beans, julienne
1 green onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup oil
salt and pepper to taste
For the sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp. Sriracha, 1 tbsp. ketchup, and 2 Chinese takeout packets of duck sauce (if you keep those around)
Cooking Instructions:
– For the noodles: Boil a large pot of water as you would for cooking pasta. Bring it to a boil and add in the instant noodles, all at the same time. They cook in about a minute or two on high heat.
– Immediately drain the noodles and immerse them in cold water. This stops the cooking and helps in removing the excess starch from the noodles. This also ensures that the noodles don’t stick to each other. Drain the noodles from the cold water after 5 minutes and spread them in a large plate/bowl and let them air dry for a while, until your sauce is ready.
– For the sauce: Mix all the ingredients mentioned for the sauce in a small bowl.
– To prepare the chow mein: Heat the oil in a large pan on high heat. Add the ginger and the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add in the onions, cabbage, carrots, french beans, and baby corn. Add a pinch of salt and the pepper and saute on high heat for about 4 minutes.
– Then add in the green pepper (and other peppers if using) and the cooked noodles. Pour in the sauce and toss to mix everything together.
– Once mixed thoroughly, let the noodles stir fry for 5 minutes on high heat. Stir every minute to make sure they fry evenly.
– Finish with bean sprouts (if using) and lots of chopped spring onions (greens only).
11. Minestrone Soup (Makes 2-3 servings) Cost: $9.04
What You’ll Need:
1 package beed ramen noodles
1 (10.75 oz.) can condensed tomato soup
8 oz. spicy smoked sausage, cooked and thinly sliced
1/4 cup cooked sliced celery
1/4 cup cooked sliced carrots
1/2 cup canned french-cut green beans
1/2 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Salt and pepper to taste
Suggested seasoning: Italian seasoning, garlic salt
Cooking Instructions:
– Cook spicy sausages (if not already pre-cooked).
– Cook noodles in water according to package directions. Add seasoning packet. Do not drain.
– Add condensed soup, cooked sausage, and vegetables. Simmer 5-10 minutes or until the vegetable are tender.
– Season with salt, pepper, and suggested seasoning to taste.
10. Sesame Noodles (Makes 8 servings) Cost: $9.99
What You’ll Need:
4 packages ramen noodles, any flavor
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp. sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
3 tbsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. chili flakes
4 tbsp. canola oil
4 whole green onions, sliced thin
Sesame seeds (optional)
– Cook noodles according to package directions without seasoning packet.
– Whisk all ingredients (except noodles and green onions) together in a bowl. Taste and adjust ingredients as needed.
– Pour sauce over warm noodles and toss to coat.
– Sprinkle with green onions and toss.
– Serve in a bowl with chopsticks (or a fork). Yum!
9. Grilled Ramen (Makes 4 servings) Cost: $3.64
What You’ll Need:
4 packages ramen, any flavor
Bottled teriyaki sauce
Optional toppings: greens onions, grilled tofu, or veggies
Cooking Instructions:
– Marinate block of dry ramen (ramen cake) in teriyaki sauce, flipping it to be sure of absorption throughout the noodle cake. About 20 minutes should be good, just enough time to get your fire going.
– The ramen cake is ready to be grilled when it has become tender, but still compact together in a square.
– Place on medium flame grill (charcoal is best).
– Lift the corner of the ramen cake every minute or so to look for char marks (about 3 minutes). A little smoke means it’s about ready to flip.
– Flip it when the cake starts getting crunchy and black/golden brown spots cover one side. Be sure to detach the whole thing with your spatula before moving it or else the cake may pull apart.
– Serve plain or with green onions, grilled tofu, or veggies, etc. If there is any remaining teriyaki sauce, drizzle it over top of the noodles.
8. Instant Buttery Ramen (Makes 1 serving) Cost: $4.73
What You’ll Need:
1 pack ramen noodles, any flavor
1 large egg
½ tsp. butter
2 slices American cheese
¼ tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)
½ green onion (green part only)
Cooking Instructions:
– Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the noodles and cook for 2 minutes. Add the flavor packet, stir, and continue to cook for another 30 seconds.
– Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the egg. Do not stir; pull the noodles over the egg and let sit for one minute to poach.
– Carefully transfer everything to a serving bowl, add the butter, cheese, and sesame seeds and mix. Garnish with the green onion if desired.
7. Spicy Sriracha Ramen (Makes 6 servings) Cost: $9.95
What You’ll Need:
2 tbsp. sesame oil
2 tbsp. Sriracha hot sauce
1 small onion, diced
1 small roma tomato, diced
1 tbsp. ginger, grated
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar (optional; only if you like tang)
3 packages ramen noodles, any flavor
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Cooking Instructions:
– Add the sesame oil and Sriracha to a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium-heat. Add the onion and tomato and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ginger, garlic, and seasonings, cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add 2 cups of water and transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth.
– Return mixture to the pot and add the vegetable broth.
– Bring to a simmer, then add soy sauce and vinegar (if using), and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
– Add the ramen noodles to the broth and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles have softened.
– Add the scallions, stir to combine. Remove pan from heat, ladle soup into bowls, and top with cilantro. Enjoy!
6. Ramen Cacio e Pepe (Makes 2 servings) Cost: $6.76
What You’ll Need:
– 2 packages ramen, any flavor
– 3 tbsp. butter
– 1 tbsp. olive oil
– 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
– 1 cup Parmesan cheese
– Fresh ground pepper
Cooking Instructions:
– In a pot add the water, butter, olive oil, and a good amount of black pepper.
– Bring to a boil, stir, and reduce to a simmer when boiling.
– Add cheese and stir, then quickly add the ramen.
– Mix up the noodles and when they separate, constantly stir them until the noodles are soft and well dressed.
– Serve in a bowl and add more fresh ground pepper on top.
5. Ramen Noodle Bake (Makes 4 servings) Cost: $9.99
What You’ll Need:
4 packages ramen noodles (one must be beef; reserve one beef seasoning packet)
1 – 26 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce
1 lb. cooked ground beef
2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
3 1/2 cups water
Cooking Instructions:
– Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
– Break up ramen noodles into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. They should cover the bottom of the dish.
– Sprinkle the cooked meat over dry noodles (I seasoned my beef with salt and pepper when I was cooking it). Pour the jar of sauce over the top. Sprinkle the beef flavor packet over the sauce. Sprinkle one cup of the cheese over the top of sauce.
– Gently mix together. Pour the water over the top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake 40 to 50 minutes or until liquid is totally absorbed.
– Remove from oven and remove foil. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Return to oven for 5- 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
4. Chili Cheese Ramen (Makes 2 servings) Cost: $6.04
What You’ll Need:
2 packages ramen noodles, any flavor
1 can of chili
1 green onion, sliced (optional)
2 tsp. butter
Shredded cheddar cheese
Cooking Instructions:
– Cook noodles according to package directions, drain noodles, toss in butter, and set aside.
– While noodles are cooking, heat up chili.
– Once the chili is hot, top noodles with chili, shredded cheese, green onions, and enjoy!
3. Ramen Noodles with Cilantro and Carrot (Makes 2-3 servings) Cost: $8.27
What You’ll Need:
2-3 packages ramen noodles, any flavor
1/2 cup carrot, grated
1-2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1-2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. sesame oil
Cooking Instructions:
– Cook ramen noodles according to package directions without the seasoning packet.
– Drain noodles and place in a large bowl.
– Add the carrot and cilantro.
– In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients and whisk to make the dressing.
– Drizzle dressing over noodles and toss.
2. Ramen Omelet (Makes 1 serving) Cost: $7.02
What You’ll Need:
1 package ramen noodles, any flavor
1 tbsp. cooking oil
2 tbsp. onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp. parsley, finely chopped
2 eggs, beaten with 2 tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt
Salsa
Suggested fresh herbs/spices: chopped leeks, minced garlic, scallions, green onions
Cooking Instructions:
– Drop ramen noodles into boiling water. Cook according to package directions.
– Drain the water and toss in the instant powdered stock included in the package. Mix well with a fork.
– Heat up an 8″ non-stick pan and drizzle cooking oil on it. Quickly stir fry chopped onions over medium heat for 2 minutes until they are translucent. Toss in the tomatoes. Cook for another minute.
– Add the noodles and chopped parsely into the pan and mix well. Cook for another two minutes.
– Distribute the noodles and tomatoes evenly across the pan. Pour the egg mixture slowly into the pan in a circular motion, starting from the outer edge of the pan. Try to cover all surface. (If you can’t, don’t worry about it. Just swirl the pan around slightly before the egg sets and it will fill up the empty spaces.)
– Lower heat and cook for 4 minutes. Slide a flat spatula under the omelette and quickly flip over and cook until both sides are browned.
– Drizzle salsa on top of omelet and serve.
1. Ramacos (Makes 4 servings) Cost: $8.07
What You’ll Need:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 package beef ramen noodles
1 box taco shells
1 packet taco seasoning
Suggested toppings: chopped onions, cilantro, tomatoes, cheese, salsa
Cooking Instructions:
– Cook up the ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning, then add a pack of raw crunched-up ramen noodles along with the water and seasoning packet to the skillet.
– Cook it down until the ramen is the desired texture (crispier or softer), adding more water as necessary.
– Scoop meat into taco shells, top as desired, and chow down.
<3 Jessa Rae
