9 Recipes for Ramen Noodles That Go Way Beyond Soup

These easy ramen noodle recipes prove they’re not just for soup (but we do have a few upgraded versions of that classic too).

Ah, the enduring appeal of ramen. Most commonly known as the eternal savior of broke, hungry college students, it’s also a popular pantry staple for people of all ages, appetites, and budgets. Its allure is obvious: If you’re strapped for cash, limited on kitchen space and hardware, and/or short on time and energy, for less than a buck and in under five minutes, you’ve got yourself a satisfying hot meal.

But the thing about ramen is you often buy it in bulk, and while those first few hits of brothy goodness might do the trick, after night three you’re ready for a change.

The good news is, ramen noodles have way more potential than what the package instructions indicate. If you want to explore the versatility of that filling brick of carbs beyond the simple hot water and flavor packet trinity, give these recipes a try.

Related Reading: 9 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Ramen

Ram-don

Fans of Oscar champ “Parasite” will be familiar with this fusion of two types of Korean instant noodles (Chapagetti and Neoguri) that’s worthy of all the gold statuettes. Here’s a situation where you don’t want to discard the seasoning pouches as they’re integral to the recipe. To accurately recreate the version from the movie, just know that legit hanwoo beef ain’t cheap (around $50/lb) so feel free to use sirloin or another cheaper cut. Get our Ram-don recipe.

Related Reading: We Can’t Get Enough of This $2 Ramen

Ramen Waffle Sandwich

If you don’t have bread or bagels but do have a waffle maker, tap ramen noodles for bun duty and indulge in this belly-filling breakfast sando. It’ll do the trick until you can make it back out to your favorite diner or bodega. Get our Ramen Waffle Sandwich recipe.

Ramen Noodle Salad

Dried ramen, slivered almonds, and sesame seeds join forces as a crouton topper over cabbage, scallions, and a light dressing. The crunchy combo exists somewhere in the flavor spectrum between a meatless Chinese chicken salad and coleslaw. Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.

Ramen Chilies Rellenos

Poblanos act as a cozy container for ramen, bacon, mushrooms, and jack cheese in this blend of Japanese, Mexican, and American comfort foods. It’s a veritable melting pot, both literally and figuratively. Get the Ramen Chilies Rellenos recipe.

Late Night Asian Noodles

Got the midnight munchies? Try this spin on cold sesame noodles that features ramen tossed in a blend of peanut butter (preferably chunky for added texture) and chili garlic sauce to bring the heat. Finish with a squeeze of lime and some sliced cabbage. Get our Late Night Asian Noodles recipe.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Why settle for chicken soup when you can have chicken noodle soup? Make that cold cure even heartier with the help of some packaged ramen. You’ll feel better in no time. Get our Easy Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

Smoked Ramen and Soft-Boiled Egg Soup

While you might associate a stovetop smoker with meat, it can also take the killer combo of ramen and a soft-boiled egg to the next level. Confound your roommates over where you procured this “take-out” soup. Get our Smoked Ramen and Soft-Boiled Egg Soup recipe.

Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

Oh, the joys of a good stir-fry, and the addition of noodles only make things better. No, it’s not that healthy for you but darned if it isn’t delicious. Best of all, the leftovers show no depreciation whatsoever. Get the Ramen Noodle Stir Fry recipe.

White Chocolate Ramen Bark

Ramen? In a dessert? Say what now? It even looks as crazy as it sounds—the sweet and crunchy confection appears to have sprung from the mind of Jackson Pollock. If white chocolate isn’t your thing substitute with milk or dark chips. Get our White Chocolate Ramen Bark recipe.