23 Easy Dishes That Start With a Package of Ramen

Instant ramen may be best known as a quick, budget-friendly meal, but those springy noodles can do much more than swim in a packet of salty broth. Cook them until tender for stir-fries, casseroles and hearty soups, or crumble them straight from the package to add a crisp, craggy coating to salads and chicken fingers. From kimchi ramen and dan dan noodles to ramen pizza and even dessert, these recipes prove there’s always another delicious way to use that package hiding in your pantry.

Need a quick dinner? Instant ramen makes it possible to prepare this shortcut take on dan dan nooodles in a fraction of the usual time. Pickles provide a punchy stand-in for fermented greens, while a splash of their brine brings the sauce a welcome balance of sweetness and acidity to pair with ground pork.

Combine store-bought broccoli slaw mix and uncooked ramen noodles for a quick and colorful salad. Though it comes together in a few minutes, giving it time to sit allows the noodles to soak up some of the tangy dressing. This is a great pick for potlucks and picnics because the sturdy ingredients won't wilt.

Whip up this quick, versatile peanut sauce and pair it with ramen for a satisfying bowl that is ready in just 15 minutes. Inspired by Chinese sesame noodles, this recipe relies on peanut butter instead of Chinese sesame paste (zhī ma jiàng) for a nutty, savory flavor.

Cooked ramen noodles are pressed into a crisp, golden cake in this simple side dish. It comes together in less than 20 minutes and tastes even better finished with plenty of sliced scallions and fresh cilantro. It's perfect for when you need a quick, tasty snack.

This hearty dish combines chewy Korean rice cakes with springy ramen noodles in a bold, spicy sauce. Inspired by the popular Korean street food tteokbokki, rabokki turns the snack into a substantial meal that's perfect for sharing. The broth is flavored with kombu, dried anchovies and spicy gochujang.

Sheet pan shrimp noodles offer a brilliant twist on classic noodle stir-fries, giving you crispy, takeout-style noodles and perfectly cooked seafood with minimal cleanup. Here, your broiler duplicates the high heat needed to crisp the noodles, plus it cooks shrimp to juicy perfection and quickly thaws shortcut frozen stir-fry vegetables — no defrosting required.

A package of instant noodles becomes an impressive bowl of ramen with the addition of tender poached shrimp and smoky bacon. The bacon also enriches the broth, giving it a depth of flavor that tastes like it simmered all day. You'd never guess it takes just 20 minutes to whip up.

This isn't your average afternoon snack. Start by buildng a deeply savory broth flavored with ginger, leeks and bacon. Add in ramen noodles and top with soft-boiled eggs and caramelized pork belly.

This creamy chicken casserole turns inexpensive instant noodles into a cozy meal that can feed the whole table. It's easy to assemble, packed with flavor and just the thing for nights when you're craving something warm and comforting.

Instant ramen noodles are endlessly versatile. In this recipe, the crunchy, uncooked noodles add a layer of texture to fish tacos. The raw vegetables of the slaw provide a fresh contrast to the delicately spiced chunks of mahi mahi and creamy avocado.

Although hiyashi chuka literally means “chilled Chinese,” this cold ramen salad is actually a Japanese dish, traditionally served during the summer. Consisting of cold ramen noodles, a colorful variety of thinly sliced toppings and a soy sauce or sesame–based dressing, it is light, refreshing and easy to assemble. Ham, surimi, cucumbers, tomatoes and egg crepe are common ingredients, but feel free to make whatever substitutions you like.

Kimchi and bacon bring layers of smoke, spice and tang to this satisfying bowl of noodles. Ginger and scallions brighten the rich broth, keeping the finished bowl balanced rather than heavy. Soft-boiled eggs, shredded nori and sliced scallions make for simple yet flavorful toppings.

Crushed ramen noodles create an extra-crunchy coating for these playful chicken fingers. Serve them with a sweet teriyaki pineapple dipping sauce for dunking.

Ramen noodles form the crisp base of this unconventional pizza inspired by Japanese okonomiyaki. Sweet, salty, spicy, creamy and savory toppings make every bite delicious and interesting.

This speedy ramen delivers plenty of flavor with almost no cleanup. Chicken, corn, kimchi, and noodles cook together in one large skillet, creating a warming, satisfying dinner in just 10 minutes. Keep this one in your back pocket when the fridge is looking a little bare and you need a meal in a hurry.

Cooked ramen noodles give this hearty frittata an unexpectedly fun texture. Ground chicken and coleslaw mix make it filling enough for dinner, though leftovers would be just as welcome for breakfast the next morning. Serve with crisp-tender sauteed bok choy.

This recipe may take some time, but the deep flavor at the end is worth it. Chicken wings, bacon and tender braised pork create a rich, meaty broth worthy of a weekend cooking project. Top it with mung bean sprouts, shredded nori, sliced radishes, toasted sesame seeds and a soft-boiled eggs.

Ground beef and bok choy turn a simple bowl of ramen into a protein-packed meal. Fresh ginger, garlic and Fresno chile add plenty of bold flavor without hours of simmering. Toss it all in a quick hoisin-based sauce with plenty of fresh ginger.

Ramen works suprisingly well in this creamy dessert. It's like a twist on kugel, with noodles baked in coconut milk, bananas, almonds and shredded coconut. Bake until golden and slightly crisp on the edges.

Peanut butter transforms instant ramen into a rich, creamy dish with the perfect balance of sweetness and heat. It's quick, comforting and made largely from inexpensive ingredients you may already have on hand. A handful of rotisserie chicken ensures it has enough protein to keep you satisfied.

Think of this soothing soup as a starting point rather than a strict formula. Prepare the savory broth and noodles, then pile on toppings like fried eggs, vegetables or whatever sounds good. While the broth does take a while to prepare, it freezes beautifully for quick meals later on.

Consider this a ramen-inspired spin on spaghetti and meatballs. Savory pork meatballs and springy noodles make a playful, comforting combination that feels familiar yet new. Fresh ginger and soy combines with pork in the meatballs to keep this dish true to its Asian roots.