Taco Ramen Noodles

There are so many ways to enjoy taco-spiced ground beef. Enchilada casserole is a good one, and my kids love a dinner of walking tacos. But who knew it’s a banger of a mash-up with ramen noodles? The beauty of a pack of ramen noodles is that you don’t have to make them into a soup at all. Taco ramen noodles feature a zesty spice blend, a hint of onion, browned ground beef and shredded cheese, with the squiggly, tender cooked noodles folded right in. Your family will love this fun twist on standard taco night recipes, or you can give yourself a reason to step away from the desk and make this skillet dish for a quick weekday lunch.

Taco Ramen Noodles Ingredients

• Ground beef: Use a lean ground beef blend for this taco dish. Brown ground beef properly to give it the best flavor and texture.
• Ramen noodles: You won’t need the flavor packet from those inexpensive packages, just the noodles. If you own a pasta maker and have some time on your hands, you can also make homemade ramen noodles.
• Diced tomatoes: The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of tomatoes, which is equal to about one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes. Choose plain tomatoes, or opt for a variety with chile peppers, like Ro-Tel brand.
• Taco seasoning: It’s easy to pick up a packet at the store, but why not make your own taco seasoning? The blend of common spices will last for up to a year.
• Onion: You only need a small amount of diced onion to cook with the ground beef. Use frozen diced onion or chop a fresh onion and freeze the leftovers for future recipes.
• Shredded cheese: Top the taco ramen noodles with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar, Mexican-blend or pepper jack cheese.
• Tortilla chips: This is an optional ingredient, but crushed tortilla chips add a nice crunch as a finishing touch to this dish.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the beef

In a small skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain off any excess liquid.

Step 2: Add the other ingredients

Stir in the tomatoes, taco seasoning and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Add the ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet or save it for another use). Cook and stir until the noodles are tender, three to five minutes.

Step 3: Serve

Spoon the beef and noodle mixture into bowls. Sprinkle it with shredded cheese and, if desired, crushed tortilla chips.

Taco Ramen Noodles Variations

• Make it spicy: Add some heat to this dish by folding in sliced jalapenos or a spicier variety of taco seasoning.
• Add sliced olives: Sliced black olives are a tasty addition when folded into the beef mixture right before serving it.
• Spoon in salsa: Choose your favorite mild, medium or spicy salsa (like any of these top salsa brands). Add some to the cooked beef and noodle mixture, or use a little as a topping.
• More optional toppings: You can add any taco toppings you like to your taco ramen noodles, such as sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, hot sauce or pickled red onions.
• Add corn: Canned or frozen corn can be added to the skillet with the water and diced tomatoes. For a more Southwestern flavor, opt for canned Mexi-corn with diced peppers.
• Turn it into walking tacos: Spoon the cooked beef and noodle mixture into individual bags of Fritos corn chips, then top it with shredded cheese.

How to Store Taco Ramen Noodles

Once the taco ramen noodles are cool, transfer them to sealed food storage containers and store them in the refrigerator. Taco ramen noodles will last for three to four days, provided the dish is kept chilled and tightly covered.

How should you reheat taco ramen noodles?

The easiest way to reheat taco ramen noodles is in the microwave. Transfer the noodles to a microwave-safe bowl and loosely cover them. Microwave them for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat until the food is warmed through. You can also warm this dish in a small saucepan set over medium heat on the stove.

Taco Ramen Noodles Tips

Can you use other noodles for this recipe?

Yes, you can make taco ramen noodles with other kinds of noodles, such as thin spaghetti, egg noodles or short shapes like rotini or elbows. A package of ramen has two servings of noodles, so use a similar amount of whichever noodle shape you choose.

What else can you serve with taco ramen noodles?

Serve taco ramen noodles with Mexican-inspired sides, such as jalapeno popper street corn, patio pinto beans or buttery corn cakes. Instead of store-bought chips, top your taco noodles with easy, air-fryer tortilla chips. Complete the taco night theme with a special dessert like tres leches cake or fried ice cream.