Easy Cheesy Ramen Noodles
An easy and delicious way to transform a cheap block of ramen into a creamy, cheesy, spicy noodle dish.
Recipe Makes: 2 servings
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- wooden spoon
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups water
- 1 3-ounce block ramen noodle soup
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley (or dried chives, or ¼ teaspoon of each)
- 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese
- 1 large pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 slice American cheese
- ramen flavor packet (from block of ramen)
- ½ cup whole milk (at room temperature)
Instructions
- Add 2 ½ cups water to medium saucepan and place saucepan on stovetop over medium-high heat. Bring water to boil.
- Once water begins to boil rapidly, add 1 3-ounce block ramen noodle soup and press ramen gently with wooden spoon to keep block submerged. Note: do not break block of ramen into smaller pieces before adding to water.
- Boil ramen 2 to 3 minutes or until noodles have softened. Be careful not to overcook noodles.
- Once noodles have softened, drain water from saucepan and transfer boiled noodles to small bowl. Set aside.
- Return saucepan to stovetop and reduce heat to medium. Let saucepan cool slightly, then add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter to saucepan. Continue heating saucepan until butter has melted.
- When butter has melted completely, add ½ teaspoon dried parsley to saucepan. Return ramen noodles to saucepan and stir to coat noodles in butter and herbs.
- Remove saucepan from heat and let cool slightly. Add 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese, 1 large pinch crushed red pepper flakes, 1 slice American cheese, ramen flavor packet, and ½ cup whole milk to saucepan.
- Stir ingredients together until incorporated, then return saucepan to stovetop and turn off burner. Warm saucepan over still-hot burner, stirring mixture constantly, until cream cheese and American cheese have melted and all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Divide ramen mixture in half and transfer to serving bowls. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Dairy Products: Allow dairy products to come to room temperature before starting the recipe. Heating cold dairy products too quickly can cause them to curdle or separate.
- Leftovers: Let any leftover cheese ramen cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, stirring in small amounts of milk as needed to keep the sauce creamy.
Microwave Instructions
- Add 1 3-ounce block of ramen noodles and 2 cups water to medium microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave ramen 2 to 3 minutes or until noodles have softened.
- Carefully drain water from bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese, 1 slice American cheese, 1 large pinch red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon dried parsley or chives, ramen flavor packet, and ½ cup milk to bowl with softened noodles. Gently stir to incorporate ingredients.
- Return bowl to microwave. Microwave mixture in 30-second increments, stirring well after each, until cheeses have melted and ingredients have incorporated into creamy sauce.
- Divide into 2 servings and serve warm.
Recipe costs provided are approximate. Actual cost per recipe & serving will vary by location, store, brand, etc. Approximate cost shown does not include costs for any optional ingredients.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 365kcal | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 1081mg | Potassium: 128mg | Total Carbs: 30g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Net Carbs: 29g | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 210mg