Instant ramen grilled cheese (Print)

Crispy ramen noodle buns filled with melted cheese and hot sauce for a quick, flavorful snack or lunch.

# Components:

→ 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 cheese of choice
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 boil. Add ramen noodles and cook for 2 minutes until just tender without overcooking. Drain completely and allow to cool slightly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add drained noodles, season lightly with salt and pepper, and mix until noodles are coated evenly.
03 - Divide noodle mixture into four equal portions. Place one portion into a ring mold or small bowl lined with parchment paper approximately the size of sandwich bread. Press down firmly to compact into a patty. Repeat for remaining portions.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add noodle patties in batches if necessary. Cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining patties.
05 - Place two noodle patties on a clean surface. Top each with two slices of cheddar cheese and drizzle with hot sauce. Cover with the remaining noodle patties to form sandwiches.
06 - Wipe skillet clean and melt remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat. Return sandwiches to skillet and cook gently, pressing down slightly, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until cheese melts fully and exteriors are crisp.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort food had a collision with ingenuity, and somehow came out better.
  • Ready in under 30 minutes, which means you can satisfy a serious craving without derailing your day.
  • Endlessly customizable depending on what you have lurking in your fridge and what heat level you can handle.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the ramen initially—2 minutes sounds short, but overcooked noodles will turn to mush when you try to press them into patties.
  • The egg needs to coat every noodle evenly, so mix thoroughly; otherwise some patties will fall apart in the pan.
  • Low heat during the final melt is crucial because high heat will burn the outside before the cheese inside has time to soften.
03 -
  • Spread a thin layer of butter on the noodle patties before frying them if you want even more crust and golden color.
  • If your ramen is particularly thin and fragile, press it into patties while it's still warm—it binds together better when there's residual heat.
  • Keep the skillet over medium heat for the first fry and low heat for the cheese melt; temperature control is what separates crispy from burnt.
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