7 Creative 2 Minute Noodles Recipes Every Student Needs To Know

It is the one staple you can’t do without - noodles. Instead of just making Ramen over and over again, here are 7 creative two minute noodles recipes!

It is the one staple you can’t do without. The price is right, the minuscule packets of flavouring creating the illusion that you are mixing up something delectable for your discerning palette (a likely story, everyone just dumps the lot in the bowl). I can’t recall the number of heated debates overheard and partaken in over the years on the merits of mixing the sachets into the pot during cooking, or in the bowl after, whether the noodles should be al dente or cooked to huge fluffy dimensions, should there be a stew of soupy goodness in the bowl or a very nearly dry finish… You can’t trust anyone to cook them for you either, as yours truly has the best technique…. Here are 7 creative two minute noodles recipes!

Brand merits are also often hotly contested, and loyalists will be stubborn and ferocious in their defense of their favoured product. Most of the following recipes can use (gasp!) plain unflavoured no-name noodles, saving you another couple o’ pennies! So if you fancy mixing it up a little, here are some ideas to really work that jumbo packet of quick and easy goodness; I give you, seven 2 Minute Noodles recipes every student needs to know.

1. Noodle Omelette

You can serve this dish with toast or a side salad, making it one of the best 2 Minute Noodles recipes because you can eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It’s good cold too!

Cook the noodles (chicken flavour is my preference for this dish).
Lightly fry some veggies of your choice.
In a separate bowl, mix two eggs with a bit of salt and pepper and pour egg mix over veg.
Cook on a medium to low heat until eggs are no longer runny (should be nice and crispy and golden brown on the bottom).
Voila! This makes one very large pancake, or you can split the ingredients in half and do two.

Flavour variations:

Half a cup corn kernels, grated zucchini and chopped ham
Bacon, cheddar, parsley
Chinese sausage, red and spring onion, carrot…you get the idea.
I also flavour mine with sweet chili sauce or sticky soy and coriander for an Asian vibe.

2. Noodle Salad

If “salad” is in the name it must be healthy, right?

Cook your noodles without flavouring and run some cold water over them to quickly chill them.
While they are cooking, shred some iceberg, chop up some cucumber, maybe some bean sprouts, shallots, fresh mint, grated carrot, fried tofu, even some fresh prawns would go a treat here.
Mix all with noodles.

For a dressing:

Keep it simple and just use a little fresh lemon or lime, or go all out and mix up a little mirin, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, pinch of sugar and a spoon of oil for an authentic Viet take-out dressing! If you can’t be bothered, grab a spring roll dipping sauce from the stupor market, will do the trick nicely.

3. Mince ‘n’ Peas!

Easy peasy…

Fry some onion and garlic for a few minutes until going clear.
Add your mince and brown it well (optional: add tomato paste or tinned tomatoes).
Add cooked noodles and half a cup frozen peas, pinch of mixed Italian herbs.
Toss it all together in the pan for a few more moments and bob’s your uncle.

4. Creamy Pasta Noodles

Seriously one of the easiest 2 Minute Noodles recipes out there!

Cook in slightly less water than necessary.
Just before the noodles have finished cooking, add a tablespoon or two of thickened cream and some cooked shredded chicken (leftover or supermarket roast).
And there it is, good to go. Top with Parmesan and chopped parsley.

5. Chicken and Sweetcorn Noodle Soup

Who knew 2 Minute Noodles could be so tasty?

Fry a leek or some onion in a little vegetable oil.
Add some chicken, cooked if you’ve got it, otherwise make sure to fry the chicken until it is thoroughly cooked (brown it on all side and fry for about 10 min).
Add a cup of stock, a cup of creamed corn, and your noodles.
Bring to boil, simmer until the noodles are cooked.

6. Dumpling Noodle Soup

This is such a treat, and waaaaay easy. Most supermarkets and all Asian grocers sell big bags of frozen dumplings with pork or prawn or veg or all three.

Make a broth by frying up a little ginger, chili, garlic, golden shallot (or any variation on this theme).
Put a cup or two of stock in the pot, add a handful of dumplings, your noodles and a selection of veg like snow peas, finely sliced carrot, chopped cabbage (any variety).
And just 2 minutes later… Gourmet noodle soup, easy as you like.

7. Minestrone

Because you can never go wrong with Minestrone. Ever.

Bring a cup of stock to the boil on the stove, use powdered stock or cubes.
Add a can of tomatoes and a pinch of mixed herbs.
When back to boil, add plain noodles and a big ol’ cup of mixed frozen veg.
Cook til noodles are ready.
Crumble the noodle cake a bit before you add it in.
If you’re feeling fancy serve with a drizzle of pesto and some Parmesan.

Bonus!

If you love your Instant Ramen and you’re looking to jazz it up, here are 5 declicious ways you can upagrade your Instan Ramen! All you need is a microwave – perfect for all you university students!