Why Make This Recipe

Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles is a delightful and quick dish that anyone can whip up in just a few minutes. Whether you’re a busy student, a working professional, or just someone who loves great food, this recipe offers a simple way to enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or when you’re craving something savory and satisfying. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite vegetables and proteins!

How to Make Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles

Making Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles is a straightforward process. You just have to gather your ingredients and follow the steps. This recipe is not only quick but allows for personalization based on your preferences.

Ingredients:

2 servings dry instant ramen noodle cakes (or other noodles of choice, around 140 g total)
10 oz extra firm tofu
Veggies or mushrooms of choice (sliced)
1 cup water (or vegetable broth)
5-7 tbsp soy sauce (adjust according to desired taste)
1.5 tsp dark soy sauce (optional for color)
2-3 tbsp corn starch
1-3 tbsp sugar (or maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener, adjust according to desired sweetness)
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar, or lemon juice, adjust according to desired sourness)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic (minced, optional)
Chopped scallions (for topping)
Sesame seeds (for topping)

Directions:

Mix the Sauce:
Start by mixing all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. This includes the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, corn starch, sugar, rice vinegar, ground pepper, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic if you decided to add it. Make sure they all blend well. Feel free to adjust these ingredients to suit your taste—for example, add more sugar if you like it sweeter, or more soy sauce if you prefer it saltier.
Boil the Noodles:
In a small pot, bring some water to a boil. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add in your ramen or other noodles. Cook the noodles for a shorter time than the package suggests, about 2-3 minutes less. The goal here is to keep them chewy, which prevents them from becoming too soft in the sauce later.
Drain the Noodles:
Once the noodles are cooked but still have a good bite to them, drain the water. You can run them under cold water to stop the cooking process further and remove excess starch, which helps keep the noodles from clumping.
Cook the Veggies or Tofu:
While the noodles are cooking, heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Sauté your chosen vegetables, mushrooms, or sliced tofu for a few minutes until they reach your desired level of doneness. Aim for a slight crispness so they maintain some texture in the final dish.
Simmer the Sauce:
After the veggies or tofu are ready, give your sauce a quick mix to ensure no starch is stuck at the bottom. Pour the sauce into the pan with your cooked veggies or tofu and let it simmer. Keep stirring gently for about 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Combine the Noodles with Sauce:
When the sauce looks thick, add the drained noodles into the pan. Mix them well so that every strand is coated with the sauce. Cook them on medium-high heat for another 3 minutes until they absorb some of the sauce and become even more flavorful.
Taste and Adjust:
After cooking, taste the noodles. If you think they need more seasoning, don’t hesitate to add additional soy sauce, sugar, or ground pepper according to your preference.
Garnish and Serve:
Once everything is combined and the flavors have melded together, remove the pan from heat. Garnish your ramen with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot!

How to Serve Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles

You can serve Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles in bowls with your favorite side dishes. They pair beautifully with a light salad or some steamed dumplings. You can also top the dish with extra toppings like chili flakes or a drizzle of sesame oil for added flavor.

How to Store Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep well for about 2-3 days. When you’re ready to eat again, just reheat them in a pot on the stove or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to revive the sauce to its original consistency.

Tips to Make Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles

Customizable Ingredients: This recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to add any vegetables you like or have on hand, like bell peppers, bok choy, or broccoli. You can also substitute the tofu with another protein like chicken or shrimp.
Adjust Sauce to Taste: Always taste your sauce before adding it to the noodles. Everyone has different taste preferences, so adjusting the sauces based on sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness can ensure you enjoy your bowl of ramen to the fullest.
Make It Spicy: If you like heat, consider adding more chili garlic sauce or even some red pepper flakes to kick up the spiciness.

Variation

If you’re looking for a heartier version, you can add an egg. Simply poach or fry an egg and place it on top of your ramen before serving. This will enhance the taste and provide extra protein. Another great variation is to use different types of noodles, such as soba, udon, or rice noodles, which can give your dish a unique flair.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different kind of noodle besides ramen?
Yes! You can use any type of noodle you like, including udon, soba, or even rice noodles. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the noodle type.

2. How do I make this recipe vegan?
This recipe is already quite vegan-friendly by using tofu instead of meat. Ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free if you need that option, and skip any non-vegan toppings.

3. How do I make the sauce thicker?
The sauce will thicken as it simmers from the corn starch. If you want it thicker, you can add a bit more corn starch mixed with cold water. Just add it to the sauce while it’s simmering, and stir until it thickens to your liking.

4. Can I prepare this dish in advance?
While the noodles are best fresh, you can prepare the sauce and chop your vegetables ahead of time. Store everything separately and then combine when you’re ready to eat.

5. What can I add for extra protein?
Besides tofu, you can add cooked chicken, beef, shrimp, or even chickpeas for an added protein boost! Just sauté the protein of your choice along with your veggies.

Enjoy your Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles, and don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors and ingredients to make it your own!

Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles

Author: mohamadalaoui
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and delightful ramen noodle dish that can be customized with your favorite vegetables and proteins.

Ingredients

Scale

2 servings dry instant ramen noodle cakes (or other noodles of choice, around 140 g total)
10 oz extra firm tofu
Veggies or mushrooms of choice (sliced)
1 cup water (or vegetable broth)
5–7 tbsp soy sauce
1.5 tsp dark soy sauce (optional for color)
2–3 tbsp corn starch
1–3 tbsp sugar (or maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener)
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar, or lemon juice)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic (minced, optional)
Chopped scallions (for topping)
Sesame seeds (for topping)

Instructions

Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until well blended. Adjust to taste.
In a pot, bring water to a boil and cook the ramen for 2-3 minutes less than package instructions.
Drain the noodles and optionally rinse with cold water.
In a heated pan, sauté chosen vegetables, mushrooms, or tofu until they reach desired doneness.
Mix the sauce again and pour it over the cooked veggies or tofu in the pan, allowing it to simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Add the drained noodles to the pan and mix until well coated. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning with soy sauce or sugar if necessary.
Remove from heat, garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Notes

Customize with your favorite vegetables or proteins. Adjust the sauce ingredients based on personal taste preferences.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: ramen, vegan noodles, quick meal, customizable ramen