Instant ramen grilled cheese twist (Printer version)

Crispy noodle buns filled with melted cheese and a hint of heat for a quick satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 a boil. Add 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, lightly seasoning with salt and pepper. Mix until noodles are coated evenly.
03 - Divide noodles into four equal portions. Place each portion into a ring mold or small bowl lined with parchment paper, pressing down to compact into patties approximately the size of sandwich bread slices.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook noodle patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden and crisp. Remove and keep warm while cooking remaining patties.
05 - Place two noodle patties on a clean surface. Top each with two slices of cheese and drizzle with hot sauce. Cover with the remaining noodle patties to form sandwiches.
06 - Wipe the skillet clean. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and return sandwiches to the pan. Cook over low heat, pressing gently, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until cheese is melted and exteriors are crispy.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • That golden, crispy exterior with the gooey center hits different when you've built it yourself.
  • It's genuinely fun to make, which somehow makes it taste better.
02 -
  • If your ramen is overcooked before you even start, the patties will fall apart in the skillet, so that two-minute timer is real and worth respecting.
  • Pressing the noodles firmly into the mold actually makes them hold together better—I learned this the hard way by being too gentle.
03 -
  • Don't skip the step of wiping out your skillet between crisping the patties and melting the sandwiches—a clean cooking surface helps you get better control over the melting and prevents any burnt bits from affecting the final sandwich.
  • If your cheese isn't melting fast enough on low heat, cover the skillet with a lid or even a baking sheet for thirty seconds to trap the warmth and speed things up.
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