Ramen Noodles
At under a dollar per pack, ramen noodles are the cheapest meal in the grocery store, which is why they’re also the iconic college student food. But if you’re getting bored of your typical ramen, check out these awesome variations!
If you’re craving some Chinese buffet…Turn your noodles into chicken lo mein! Cook the ramen noodles according to the directions on the packet. Then sauté chicken with soy sauce in a pan (you can buy frozen strips at the grocery store!) and add whatever vegetables you have in the kitchen to the mix. Onions, peppers, zucchini and carrots are all great additions. Once the veggies and the chicken are cooked, just add in the drained noodles from the ramen container and sauté together for a few minutes (add more soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste).
If you’re feeling Italian… Make ramen with alfredo sauce! Again, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Then heat a half cup of butter and a half cup of light cream or milk in a sauce pan until the butter melts. Add parmesan cheese (grated), salt and pepper to the butter and cream. Let the mixture sit on the stove for about five minutes until it thickens, then add the drained ramen noodles!
If you like pasta salads… Make a crunchy Asian noodle salad with this yummy Kraft-inspired recipe! Buy a packet of Italian dressing mix (Good Seasons is the recommended brand on Kraft’s site) and add a half cup of sugar and two Tablespoons of soy sauce to the dressing. Cook two packages of the ramen noodles and place the drained noodles in a large bowl. Then add green onions (about two, diced), a half cup sunflower seeds, a half cup almonds and a large package of coleslaw blend (which is also known as cabbage slaw mix). Toss with dressing and enjoy!
Crescent Rolls
If you want to make anything with dough, these packaged rolls will be your best friends! Try some of the delicious variations below and impress your friends (or boyfriend) with your culinary skills. Who has to know that it came from a can?
If you’re craving pizza…Unroll the dough and separate it into four rectangles, then press lightly with your thumbs on the perforation lines to seal them. Roll the rectangles out to thin the dough and arrange your choice of toppings in the middle third of the dough, covering the toppings with tomato sauce and cheese. Shredded apples and cheddar cheese make a delicious non-traditional pizza, but we also love Hawaiian style (with pineapples and Canadian bacon) or plain ol’ pepperoni! Fold the dough over to meet the center and pinch the edges together, leaving the middle open to create a pocket, then bake at 375 for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown (thanks Pillsbury for this great idea)!
For a homemade Hot Pocket… Follow the directions above but fill your pocket with ham and cheddar cheese, or turkey and Swiss cheese, or your other favorite sandwich combinations. Adding Dijon mustard or other condiments is also delicious!
If you want to spice up regular crescent rolls… Pop open the container and lay out the dough in triangles. Add butter, parmesan cheese, garlic powder or other cheeses to the center of the crescents before you roll them up. Then just stick your creations into the oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes!
