Keep your pantry stocked with inexpensive Ramen noodles and you can whip up a satisfying meal or side dish in literally minutes.  If you aren’t sure what I am referring to, here is a picture:

These are “hard time” staples. Just add water and you have a hot meal for just a few cents a serving (buy in bulk for the best deal).  Young people and college students gobble them up because they are so easy to make.

Ramen noodles make a wonderful base for a meal when you add other ingredients and can suddenly become a “gourmet” meal!

The secret to the soup’s good taste (considering all you add is water) is in the seasoning packet. Unfortunately, that means it is loaded with sodium. Not very healthy, so we will toss the packet and add seasoning to taste.

The beauty of using Ramen noodles is that the entire dish can be prepared in one pan. Because the noodles hydrate quickly, the whole thing can be done in less than 20 minutes, including prep time. I like fresh garlic and onions, but you can use chopped garlic and even frozen diced onions if you like. This recipe is for 1 generous main dish or 2 side dishes.

Ingredients:

• I package Ramen noodles, any flavor, discard the seasoning packet.
• 1 large clove of garlic, chopped fine.
• 1/4 small onion, diced small.
• Frozen spinach thawed and drained, 1/2 cup.
• 1/2 of a small can of mushrooms, or approximately 1/4 cup.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• 1/2 cup water plus a little more.
• 1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, shredded, or cut solid block into thin slices, about 8.
• Garlic salt.
• Fresh ground black pepper.
• Crushed red pepper.

Instructions:

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  You will need a lid.  Add chopped onion and garlic and saute until they just begin to soften.  Add drained spinach and mushrooms and a little garlic salt and a few turns of the pepper grinder.  Saute for 3 minutes. 

Without opening the Ramen noodle package, break the noddles into many pieces by striking it with something, such as a can opener.  Open the package and remove the seasoning packet.  Pour 1/2 cup water into the pan and add the noddles. Stir well so all noodles are moistened. Cover with lid. Stir again in about 2 minutes.  Add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time. Remember – you are not making soup! Only use enough water to hydrate and prevent sticking. Replace lid and check in another minute or so.

Repeat until noodles are done.  Check seasoning and add more garlic salt and pepper if needed.  Cover the top of the noodles with shredded Mozzarella cheese. Cover again. Turn heat to very low, then shut it off after a minute. Let the noodles sit for another minute more so the cheese will thoroughly melt.  Transfer to serving plate(s), sprinkle with a little crushed red pepper, and enjoy!