Instant Ramen Grilled Cheese (Print)

Crispy ramen patties with melted cheese and hot sauce for a savory, quick snack or lunch.

# Ingredients:

→ Ramen

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

→ Cheese Filling

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

→ For Cooking

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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook for 2 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly and let cool slightly.
02 - In a bowl, beat the egg. Add the drained noodles, season lightly with salt and pepper, and mix until noodles are fully coated.
03 - Divide the noodle mixture into four equal portions. Press each portion into a ring mold or small bowl lined with parchment to compact into a patty roughly the size of sandwich bread.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the noodle patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Remove and repeat with remaining patties.
05 - Place two noodle patties on a clean surface. Top each with two slices of cheese and drizzle hot sauce over the cheese. Cover with the remaining patties to form sandwiches.
06 - Wipe the skillet clean, add the remaining 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 Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 25 minutes, which means lunch when you're too hungry to wait.
  • Ramen noodles get a second act as actual bread, which somehow makes everything taste better.
  • That crispy-then-melty texture thing hits different when it's made from noodles.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step after draining—warm noodles are too soft to shape properly and stick to everything.
  • Low heat for the final melt matters; high heat will burn the outside before the cheese even thinks about melting.
03 -
  • A ring mold or small bowl makes shaping foolproof, but you can also press noodles directly onto parchment with your hands if you don't have one.
  • Toast your hot sauce in the butter before adding the sandwich to the pan for a deeper, roasted flavor that changes everything.
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