16 Creative Ramen Noodle Recipes That Go Beyond the Instant Meal

Skillet Ramen and Veggies
Photo: Blaine Moats

Packaged ramen might be associated as food for college kids, but it's time to ditch the stereotype. Ramen is a quick, affordable ingredient being used in restaurants and by home cooks for dishes such as noodle bowls, ramen slaws, and ramen salads. Here you'll find some delicious ramen recipes used in classic dishes and in more unique ways (think stuffed chicken breast or meat loaf). Grab a few packages and try one of these creative uses for ramen noodles.

01 of 16

Skillet Ramen and Veggies

Skillet Ramen and Veggies
Blaine Moats

Winner, winner, skillet dinner! This one-pan ramen noodle stir-fry recipe has it all: shrimp, veggies, ham, bacon, and (obviously) ramen. There's a bit of something to satisfy everyone at the table. It helps that you can make this speedy dinner from start to finish in under 45 minutes.

02 of 16

Sesame Noodle Slaw

Asian Ramen Noodle Slaw
Blaine Moats

Here's a ramen noodle coleslaw recipe for your next gathering. The seasoning packet from the instant ramen helps flavor the homemade dressing. The ramen noodles add an irresistible crunch to the fresh cabbage mixture. Whip up this easy ramen noodle salad up to four hours before mealtime to let the flavors meld.

03 of 16

Ramen Gnocchi Carbonara

Ramen Gnocchi Carbonara
Jason Donnelly

That's right, we made gnocchi (usually made with potato) from crushed ramen noodles! Tossed with peas, bacon, Parmesan, and a sour-cream-and-butter sauce, this might be your new favorite recipe using ramen noodles. Top with extra Parm and some parsley to achieve a truly restaurant-worthy dish.

04 of 16

Ramen-Wrapped Cod with Chopped Salad

cod wrapped in ramen served with chopped salad
Jason Donnelly

This ramen noodle recipe is one of our most creative takes on the instant meal packets. Weird as it may sound, wrapping Cajun-seasoned cod in cooked ramen noodles and crisping them on the stovetop makes a delicious weeknight meal the whole family will love. The simple ranch salad serves as a nice cooling contrast in the crunchy, flaky seafood dinner.

05 of 16

Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup

Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup
Andy Lyons

Skip the styrofoam cups of noodles and opt for this homemade ramen noodle soup recipe. Pack Mason jars with a hearty beef stock base, veggies, chicken, and ramen noodles for the most delicious work lunch you've ever had. Rotisserie chicken makes an easy, delicious shortcut ingredient here.

06 of 16

Thai Chicken Pasta Salad

Thai Chicken-Noodle Salad
Blaine Moats

Here's a twist on pasta salad you'll make on repeat. A sauce of peanut butter, coconut milk, tangy lime juice, and a hint of cayenne perks up rotisserie chicken and fresh veggies for a flavor-packed ramen noodle recipe.

07 of 16

Confetti Chicken Big Bowl

Confetti Chicken Big Bowl
Jason Donnelly

This one-dish chicken recipe combines the cozy comfort of a bowl of soup with the light freshness of seasonal produce. It's the best of both worlds. Plus, with veggies, ramen noodles, and chicken, it's a complete meal.

08 of 16

Peanutty Noodle Slaw

Peanutty Noodle Slaw
Andy Lyons

Bottled Asian salad dressing and peanut butter make a quick, flavorful dressing for this coleslaw twist. Broken ramen noodle pieces absorb the dressing, taking on the delicious flavors and getting softer the longer you chill before serving. Use pre-shredded cabbage or broccoli slaw mix to keep the prep time to a minimum.

09 of 16

Ramen-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ramen-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Blaine Moats

Never stuffed chicken with noodles before? Now's your chance! We turned the concept of chicken Parmesan inside out by stuffing chicken with ramen noodles while keeping the classic topping of bread crumbs, cheese, and sauce. Give it a whirl at your next family dinner to impress everyone at the table.

10 of 16

20-Minute Ramen Noodle Bowls

20-Minute Ramen Noodle Bowls
Peter Krumhardt

Talk about quick and easy dinners. This 20-minute ramen noodle bowl recipe gives the instant packages a homemade feel by cooking in broth and peanut sauce rather than water. To keep things interesting, we've included eight (yes, eight!) tasty variations such as sweet-and-sour and Thai curry.

11 of 16

Ramen Noodle Frittata

Asian Egg Noodle Frittata
Blaine Moats

Ramen noodles in a frittata might seem like an odd combo, but don't knock it until you try it. It's full of flavorful ingredients such as coconut milk, green onions, rice vinegar, and ginger. From there, the ramen noodles are combined with hearty eggs and a fresh cabbage topper. This frittata recipe turns a good morning into a great morning!

12 of 16

Ramen Meat Loaf

Ramen Meat Loaf
Jason Donnelly

This creative ramen noodle recipe strays far from Grandma's traditional meat loaf recipe. The ground beef mixture is stuffed with ramen noodles and coated in a hoisin-base sauce that gets a kick from Asian chili paste. It challenges basic meat loaf in the most delicious of ways.

13 of 16

Ginger-Sesame Drumsticks with Ramen Slaw

Ginger-Sesame Drumsticks with Ramen Slaw
Kritsada Panichgul

Adding cooked ramen noodles to a fresh DIY slaw adds texture and heartiness to this far-from-average chicken dinner. A purchased dressing and make-ahead chicken drumsticks make easy work of this Asian-inspired main dish dinner. Finishing the drumsticks on the grill adds an irresistible smoky flavor to every bite.

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Coconut-Curry Noodle Bowl

Coconut Curry Noodle Bowl with Broccoli
Andy Lyons

With upgrades on instant ramen noodles like this, you won't even think about reaching for a takeout menu. This ramen noodle bowl is loaded with flavor from coconut milk, garlic, veggies, and curry powder. Top it with chopped peanuts for a bit of crunch.

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Asian Pork Skillet

Asian Pork Skillet
Scott Little

Five ingredients and a couple of pantry staples are all you need for this easy dinner recipe. Everything cooks in the same skillet so even cleanup is speedy, making this a perfect ramen noodle recipe for busy weeknights. The bold flavors accomplished in just 20 minutes will wow anyone at the first bite.

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Waka Waka Salad

Waka Waka Salad
Ray Kachatorian

Try this side-dish ramen salad at your next potluck (it makes enough to serve a crowd!). Broken dried ramen noodles and chopped peanuts add a satisfying crunch to the fresh vegetable recipe. Napa cabbage is recommended here since it gets nice and tender, but regular green cabbage will also get the job done.

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