Cheesy Noodles: A Quick, Delicious Comfort Food

how to cook noodles with cheese

Noodles and cheese is a simple, versatile, and comforting dish. It can be made in a variety of ways, from a simple butter and cheese mix to a more complex sauce with added vegetables or meat. The type of cheese used can also vary, from cheddar to American cheese, depending on the desired creaminess and flavour. This dish is perfect for a quick, budget-friendly meal and can be easily scaled up or down.

Characteristics Values
Preparation time 5-10 minutes
Cook time 2 minutes
Cheese Cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, American, Parmesan, pecorino, kasseri
Other ingredients Butter, garlic powder, green onions, milk, broth, water, flour, scallions, ground black pepper, sodium citrate, beer, cream cheese, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white wine vinegar, sugar/honey
Customization Add veggies or protein of choice, such as broccoli, spinach, mushroom, peppers, peas, asparagus, zucchini, tofu, grilled or cooked shredded chicken, prawn, sausage, ham, or egg
Calories 169-175 kcal

cycheese

Ramen noodles with shredded cheese

Ingredients

You will need ramen noodles, shredded cheese (preferably fresh as it melts better), butter, milk, garlic powder, and green onions for garnish. You can also keep some pasta water to help blend the sauce and noodles. Additionally, you can use a seasoning packet that comes with the ramen noodles or add your own spices like ground black pepper, chilli powder, or red chilli flakes.

Cooking the Noodles

Start by boiling water in a saucepan and adding the ramen noodles. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, usually until they are al dente or tender, which takes about 2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the noodles as they can become mushy. Drain the water, but keep about a cup of the pasta water aside.

Preparing the Cheese Sauce

In the same pot used for boiling the noodles, melt some butter over low heat. Add milk and shredded cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. You can also add garlic powder and the ramen seasoning packet at this stage for extra flavour. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it out.

Combining Noodles and Sauce

Once the cheese sauce is ready, gently fold in the cooked ramen noodles, ensuring they are evenly coated in the sauce. You can also add some vegetables or protein of your choice at this stage, such as chicken, prawns, or vegetables like broccoli or spinach.

Serving

Serve the ramen noodles with shredded cheese warm, garnished with chopped green onions or scallions. You can also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top. This dish can be served as a main course or a side dish alongside grilled chicken, steak, or other grilled proteins.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

cycheese

Cheese sauce with cooked noodles

Ingredients

  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Grated or shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack)
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Noodles
  • Optional: garlic powder, green onions, scallions, sodium citrate, beer, broth, flour, cream cheese, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white wine vinegar, sugar, or honey

Method

Start by boiling water in a saucepan and adding salt. Next, add your chosen noodles and cook until tender (al dente). Drain the water, keeping a cup of pasta water to the side. Set the cooked noodles aside.

In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. You can add two tablespoons of flour and stir continuously. Then, slowly add in milk, broth, or water, stirring continuously. Bring the temperature to medium-high and stir until the mixture bubbles.

Now, slowly add in your grated or shredded cheese, stirring after each addition. You can also add in a little sodium citrate to keep the cheese gooey. For a more liquid sauce, add some of the pasta water. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Finally, add the cooked noodles to the pot and gently fold them into the sauce, ensuring an even coating. Serve hot and garnish with green onions or scallions if desired.

Variations

For a spicy kick, try adding light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white wine vinegar, sugar or honey, and cream cheese to your sauce. You can also replace some of the milk with beer. For extra flavour, add garlic powder or fresh garlic to the sauce.

This recipe works well with ramen noodles, but you can use any type of noodle or pasta. Enjoy!

cycheese

Cheesy ramen in 10 minutes

This cheesy ramen is an easy, delectable, and comforting meal or side dish that you can make in just 10 minutes. It is a simple, quick, and delicious meal that can be made on a budget.

Ingredients:

  • Ramen noodles
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack)
  • Garlic powder
  • Ramen flavor packet
  • Green onions
  • Parmesan (optional)

Steps:

  • Start by boiling water for the ramen and cooking the noodles according to the package instructions. Remember to add any extra water as needed. Keep one flavor packet aside and discard the others.
  • Cook the ramen noodles until they are al dente, which means they should be tender but still have a slight bite to them. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy.
  • Drain the water, but make sure to keep about a cup of the pasta water aside. This will be used later to blend the cheesy sauce into the noodles.
  • In the same pot that you used to boil the pasta, melt some butter over low heat.
  • Add milk and shredded cheese to the melted butter. For a creamier result, you can use processed (American) cheese.
  • Next, add in the garlic powder and the ramen flavor packet.
  • Keep the heat low and continuously stir the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy.
  • Add the cooked ramen noodles to the cheesy sauce and gently fold them in to ensure even coverage.
  • If the sauce needs to be thinned out, use the reserved pasta water.
  • Serve the ramen warm. You can garnish it with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy your quick and delicious cheesy ramen!

cycheese

Chilli cheese noodles

A quick, easy, and delicious recipe, chilli cheese noodles can be made in a variety of ways. This recipe incorporates vegetables, spices, and sauces to create a flavourful and spicy dish.

Ingredients:

  • Noodles ?(ramen, egg noodles, or any quick-cooking noodle)
  • Grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or processed cheese)
  • Garlic
  • Spring onion
  • Chilli (fresh or chilli crisp oil)
  • Light soy sauce
  • Dark soy sauce
  • White wine vinegar
  • Honey or sugar
  • Oil (sesame oil or any other preferred oil)
  • Salt (optional)
  • Butter (optional)
  • Garlic powder (optional)
  • Ground black pepper (optional)

Method:

  • Boil water in a saucepan. Add salt if desired.
  • Add the noodles and cook until tender. Drain the water.
  • In a separate pan, heat oil over high heat until sizzling hot.
  • Add garlic, spring onion, and chilli to the hot oil. Stir to combine.
  • Pour in the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white wine vinegar, honey or sugar, and grated cheese. Stir well.
  • Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and mix until the noodles are coated.
  • Top with chopped spring onion and serve hot.

Tips:

  • For a creamier sauce, add butter, cream cheese, or a splash of milk to the sauce.
  • To make the cheese extra gooey, add a bit of sodium citrate to the grated cheese.
  • Customize the dish with your choice of vegetables, proteins, or spices.

cycheese

Butter and cheese noodles

This recipe is a quick, simple, and delicious dish that can be served as a side or main. The key to this recipe is to keep it simple, but you can add more ingredients to shake things up.

Ingredients:

  • Noodles (any type)
  • Butter (salted or unsalted)
  • Cheese (grated Parmesan, cheddar, or American cheese)
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Optional: garlic, red pepper flakes, scallions, vegetables, or protein of your choice

Method:

  • Boil water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the noodles and cook until tender.
  • Drain the noodles and return them to the pot.
  • Add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper to the cooked noodles. You can also add a little pasta water to emulsify the sauce and make it creamier.
  • Mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

  • If you want to add more flavor, you can use salted butter and liberally salt the pasta cooking water.
  • For a creamier sauce, make a white sauce or a roux with butter, flour, and milk before adding the cheese.
  • To keep the cheese gooey as it melts, add a little bit of sodium citrate.
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Frequently asked questions

Cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Monterey jack, pepper jack, or American cheese.

This depends on your preference and the type of cheese you are using. A good rule of thumb is to use around 24 ounces of cheese for one pound of pasta.

There are a few ways to melt cheese for noodles. You can melt butter in a pot, add flour and milk to make a roux, and then slowly add in your cheese while stirring. Another option is to melt butter in a pot, add milk or cream, and then stir in your cheese.

Yes, you can customize your cheesy noodles by adding various ingredients such as vegetables, meat, or spices. For example, you can add broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, peppers, or chicken to your dish.

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