Many college students are starting to come back to school after a nice, relaxing, stress-free (hopefully) summer. We've spent the last few months working summer jobs, going on nice vacations, and having all of our meals being cooked or paid for by our parents. Now that we're back at school, classes are starting and textbooks need to be purchased.
And just like that, all of our hard earned money we've saved up from our summer jobs have disappeared. So instead of eating real food, we are forced to revert to eating frozen and instant cheap dinners like ramen for the rest of the semester. Just so you don't end up going crazy from eating the same bland instant ramen noodles each week, here are a few ways to give your bowl an instant upgrade.
1. Sriracha Sauce and Parmesan
It may sound disgusting, I know, but trust me... it isn't that bad. I thought it sounded disgusting at first too until I tried it. Now I can't take credit for this creation since I got this "recipe" from my roommate, but it's really good for someone who is yearning for their ramen to have a little kick to it.
Just pop that sucker in the microwave for 3 minutes and IMMEDIATELY afterwards while it's still hot, add the flavor packet, Sriracha Sauce, and Parmesan. Now, you've got yourself a cheesy bowl of ramen with a kick.
2. Garlic Powder, Butter, and Eggs (The Kylie Jenner ramen)
Believe it or not, the famous Kylie Jenner even eats ramen once in a while, and this is her famous recipe that broke the internet. After boiling your water and letting the noodles cook for a minute or so, add a beaten egg, a little bit of garlic powder and butter. After adding them, let it sit for another few minutes for before eating. Now you can eat your bowl of ramen just like the Kardashian/Jenners do!
3. Add all the veggies your heart desires
Even though instant ramen is cheap and quick, doesn't mean it's necessarily healthy. After your noodles are ready, you can add some fast-cooking veggies like kale or spinach, that can quickly wilt in the hot broth. You can also add some frozen veggies to your mix as well by running hot water on them before your noodles are ready, so you can add them to the mix when they are done.
4. Beef and Sesame seeds
Beef is always a good protein with any type of ramen recipe. I don't know what it is, but beef mixes great with ramen broth. While your water is heating up, cut up some pieces of beef and cook them on top of the stove. Whenever your noodles and beef are ready, combine the two and garnish the dish with sesame seeds.
5. Peanut Butter???
I know. That sounds DISGUSTING to put peanut butter in your ramen, but don't judge until you try it. Add the peanut butter instead the flavor packet along with your broth to have a pad Thai twist to your ramen.
6. Campbell's Creamy Chicken Soup
It's the perfect dish for a cold winter night, a sick day, or a killer hangover. After you cook your noodles, make sure you drain them and add the chicken soup right afterward.
7. Broccoli Cheddar packets
Ever thought of how Broccoli Cheddar Noodle Soup would taste? Now is your chance! After your noodles are ready, pour two of the Rice-a-Roni packets into your bowl and stir. If you want your bowl to be less soupy, let your contents sit for a minute before eating.
Next time you think about eating the same bland ramen for dinner for the third time in four days, save yourself some semester sanity and use these recipes to make your ramen more slurp-able!
