Creamy Garlic Chili Cheese Ramen

Ingredients

• 2 Ramen noodle blocks (discard seasoning packets)
• 1 tbsp Butter
• 4 Garlic (finely minced)
• 2 Green onions (thinly sliced)
• 1 tsp Chicken bouillon powder
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tsp Rice vinegar
• 0.5 tsp Brown sugar
• 1 tsp Chili oil (plus more for serving)
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream (full-fat)
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 0.5 cup Reserved ramen cooking water (use as needed; start with about 1/4 cup, then add by the tablespoon)
• 0.5 cup Cheddar (freshly grated)
• 0.5 tsp Toasted sesame oil
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Chives or additional green onion (for garnish; slice the green onion)

Steps

1. 1

   Cook the ramen noodles in boiling water for about 2–3 minutes, until just tender.

2. 2

   Reserve 1/2 cup of the noodle water and drain the noodles.

3. 3

   Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.

4. 4

   Add the garlic and green onions and sauté for about 30–45 seconds, until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.

5. 5

   Stir in the chicken bouillon powder, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, chili oil, garlic powder, and black pepper.

6. 6

   Pour in the heavy cream and about 1/4 cup of the reserved noodle water, then stir.

7. 7

   Simmer the sauce gently for 1–2 minutes; do not let it boil vigorously.

8. 8

   Reduce the heat and gradually stir in the grated cheddar until completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

9. 9

   If needed, stir in more noodle water by the tablespoon until the sauce is silky and coats the back of a spoon.

10. 10

    Add the drained ramen noodles and toss until all the noodles are coated with sauce.

11. 11

    Stir in the sesame oil.

12. 12

    Garnish with additional chili oil, sesame seeds, green onions, and chives, then serve.

Notes

The amounts for the sesame seeds and chives or additional green onions, as well as the additional chili oil for serving, are not specified.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• noodles
• vegetarian
• quick
• creamy
• spicy
• Asian