Instant Ramen Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Crispy ramen noodle buns sandwich melted cheese and hot sauce for a quick, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Ramen

01 - 1 package (3 ounces) instant ramen noodles, flavor packet reserved or discarded
02 - 1 large egg

→ Cheese Filling

03 - 4 slices (2.8 ounces) cheddar cheese or preferred variety
04 - 2 teaspoons hot sauce, adjust to taste

→ For Cooking

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add ramen noodles and cook for 2 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly and let cool slightly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the drained noodles, season lightly with salt and pepper, and mix to coat evenly.
03 - Divide the noodle mixture into four equal portions. Press each portion into a ring mold or small bowl lined with parchment paper to form compact patties approximately the size of sandwich bread slices.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry noodle patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Remove and repeat as needed.
05 - Place two noodle patties on a clean surface. Top each with two slices of cheese and drizzle with hot sauce. Cover with the remaining noodle patties to form sandwiches.
06 - Clean the skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and return the sandwiches to the pan. Cook over low heat, pressing gently, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until cheese melts completely and exteriors are crispy.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and ready in under 30 minutes with practically nothing in your pantry.
  • The ramen noodle bun is honestly genius—way more interesting than regular bread and it holds up to the melted cheese perfectly.
  • You get to feel a little clever for turning budget ingredients into something that tastes way fancier than it has any right to.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the ramen in step one—two minutes is all you need, or your patties will fall apart and turn mushy instead of crispy.
  • Draining the noodles thoroughly is non-negotiable; excess water is the enemy of a crispy exterior, so really squeeze them out.
  • Medium heat is your friend when you're frying the patties; too hot and they'll burn on the outside before the inside cooks through.
03 -
  • Use a nonstick skillet and you'll never have frustration; these patties need a smooth, reliable surface to develop that golden crust.
  • Press the cheese-filled sandwich gently while it cooks—gentle pressure helps the cheese melt evenly without squishing all your noodles out the sides.
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