Want something quick and cheesy for lunch? Try these Asian-style 2-minute cheese & onion ramen noodles with spring onions & sesame seeds.
My latest recipe is a quick and easy cheesy noodle dish.
I know in America, noodles and pasta are sometimes interchangeable phrases, but this dairy-free noodle dish is made with Japanese-style instant noodles, not pasta.
These cheese & onion ramen noodles are topped with spring onions for that cheese and onion flavour combo.
Such a fast, but comforting lunch.
Jump to:
- 💭 Where were instant noodles created?
- 💭 Are instant noodles suitable for vegans?
- 🍜 Vegan Japanese Instant Noodles
- ⏲️ Cheap and quick lunch
- 💬 Ditch the flavour sachet!
- 💭 FAQ
- 📋 What you need to make cheese & onion ramen noodles
- 📖 Substitution
- 💭 Why nutritional yeast is good for you
- 📖 Variations - add more veg
- 🌶 Cheese Noodle Toppings
- 👩🏻🍳 Cooking for one
- 🍜 Storing cheesy ramen noodles
- 🧀 Related recipes
- ⭐ Want new recipes delivered to your inbox?
- ⭐ Save your favourite recipes for free!
- 👩🏻🍳 How to make Vegan Cheesy Ramen Noodles
- 📖 Recipe
- Comments
💭 Where were instant noodles created?
Asian-style instant noodles were invented in Japan by Momofuku Ando in 1958.
Food shortages were a problem after World War II and he wanted to give people quick convenient meals.
He also created the first cup noodles, where noodles could be cooked in a plastic cup along with some flavourings.
This creation was inspired by a trip to America in 1966 where he saw people eating noodles out of cups with a fork, instead of eating them Japanese-style out of a bowl with chopsticks.
So we can thank him for instant noodles and pot noodles.
You can read more about him and his story on the Nissin Food website.
💭 Are instant noodles suitable for vegans?
Most instant noodles are not suitable for vegans, because of the flavourings, but there are options.
There are a variety of vegan options out there, it's just finding them.
Instead of wasting time, checking the ingredients on every packet, have a look at a few supermarket websites.
They've made it much easier for us to find vegan food now, well at least they have here in the UK.
Just pop instant noodles into the search bar, then filter the results for vegan options.
🍜 Vegan Japanese Instant Noodles
I use Maggi 2 Minute Noodles.
I buy the curry flavour because they are accidentally vegan.
So if my husband grabs a packet to eat, at least I know it's vegan.
⏲️ Cheap and quick lunch
These noodles make a cheap lunch, whether you use the flavour sachet provided or create your own soup or sauce to serve them with.
These Maggi 2 Minute Noodles are only 65p for a packet from Tesco (price correct July 2023)
Of course, there are other brands out there, these are the ones I pick up while shopping.
Creature of habit, that's me!
💬 Ditch the flavour sachet!
When I cook with these ramen-style noodles, I use the noodles but discard the flavour sachet.
I prefer to add my own flavours.
I know the spices and other flavours I add aren't full of artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or bulking agents.
💭 FAQ
Noodles are an Asian ingredient, while pasta is from Italy.
The main difference is that noodles are softer than pasta and quicker to cook.
Noodles are made with finer flour, whereas pasta is made from a coarser, heavier flour to give it weight.
Noodles are much lighter and quicker to cook however, cooked spaghetti can be used in place of noodles for some dishes, if you don't have noodles.
It's not traditional but can be used in a pinch.
The texture of the pasta is heavier, but it can be a good option if you can't find noodles that are suitable for vegans or are trying to use what you have in your larder.
📋 What you need to make cheese & onion ramen noodles
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make these quick cheese noodles.
- Asian Instant Noodles - packet not pot noodles
- Cream - I use Alpro plant cream, which can be whipped or poured
- Milk - I use oat milk, but use your favourite
- Nooch - Nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavour
- Garlic powder - or granules
- Onion powder - or granules
- Chives - dried or fresh
- Salt & pepper - to season
- Spring onions - scallions
- Sesame seeds - to serve
📖 Substitution
If you don't have any nutritional yeast, you could add some grated vegan cheddar, although the yeast is more nutritious.
If you are adding cheese instead of nooch, pick a dairy-free cheese with a good flavour.
We like vegan Cathedral City or Smoked Applewood, but you can use your favourite cheese.
💭 Why nutritional yeast is good for you
Nutritional yeast or nooch as it's also called gives a wonderful savoury, almost cheesy flavour to dishes, but it's full of nutrients too.
I buy Marigold Engevita Nutritional Yeast, which is vegan and gluten-free.
It is packed with nutrients. It's:
- High in Vitamin B12
- High in Zinc
- High in Folic Acid
- High in Fibre
- High in Protein
This is why so many vegan chefs and cooks add it to dishes.
📖 Variations - add more veg
You can also add more veg to this vegan cheese ramen.
- Red pepper - sliced thinly
- Courgette - grated, then squeezed in a clean tea towel to remove excess liquid
- Spinach- add a handful of fresh spinach
- Corn - add cooked (or tinned) corn for a sweet kick
Also, try these 5-Minute Sriracha Noodles.
🌶 Cheese Noodle Toppings
I like to top these quick vegan two-minute noodles with spring onion and sesame seeds, but here are a few more ideas.
- Rocket - a handful on top of the noodles
- Watercress - same again
- Jalapeno - thinly sliced fresh chilli
- Flaxseeds - also known as linseeds
👩🏻🍳 Cooking for one
These deliciously cheesy ramen noodles are the perfect portion for one.
However, it's easy to scale up the dish.
I have a handy wee section in my recipe card, at the bottom of this post, which allows you to change the serving size.
So make it just for yourself, for a special friend or make these quick noodles for the whole family.
🍜 Storing cheesy ramen noodles
Once cool, these cheese & onion ramen noodles can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Just spoon them into another dish to cool them quickly, then pop them in an airtight container in the fridge.
However, these cheesy instant noodles are so super quick to make, why make them ahead, unless you plan to eat them cold for lunch the next day?
🧀 Related recipes
Looking for more cheesy vegan recipes? Try these:
- Easy One Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese with Spinach
- Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese with Garlic & Herbs
- Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwiches
- Vegan Cheese & Chive Beer Bread (no knead, no yeast recipe)
- Vegan Cheese & Red Pepper Filo Hand Pies
- Vegan Pesto Cheese Swirls
- Vegan Creamy Cheese Pasta Salad
- Vegan Cheese Savoury Sandwich Filling
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👩🏻🍳 How to make Vegan Cheesy Ramen Noodles
These step-by-step photos will show you how to make these delicious cheesy Asian noodles. Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe (with full ingredient list, calories and nutritional info)
Step 1
- In a pan, add your milk and cream.
- Now add the flavourings.
Step 2
- Add the herbs and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well and start to warm through.
Step 3
- Discard the flavour sachet and add the instant noodles to the pot.
- Cook in the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it all thickens.
- Serve topped with spring onion and sesame seeds.
- Enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Vegan 2-Minute Cheese & Onion Ramen Noodles
Ingredients
- 75 g instant noodles (discard the sachet)
- 250 ml vegan cream
- 100 ml oat milk (or your regular milk)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (also known as nooch)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or granules)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder (or granules)
- 1 tablespoon dried chives
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
- 1 spring onion (finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a pan, add your milk and cream, then add the nutritional yeast, onion and garlic powder.
- Add the herbs and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well and start to warm through.
- Discard the flavour sachet and add the instant noodles to the pot.
- Cook in the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it all thickens.
- Serve topped with spring onion and sesame seeds
- .Enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't have nutritional yeast, you can add some grated vegan cheddar.
- Once cool, these cheese & onion ramen noodles can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just spoon them into another dish to cool them quickly, then pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. However, these cheesy instant noodles are so super quick to make, why make them ahead, unless you plan to eat them cold for lunch the next day?
Sam
OMG those look luxurious!!!! Have to make them.
Jacqueline Meldrum
Haha yes they are rather lush. I hope you enjoy them Sam.
Janene
This is a quick and more nutritious way of serving noodles. Thanks so much for sharing.
Jacqueline Meldrum
I'm so glad you enjoyed them Janene. It's not slimming but the nooch does add nutrients.
George
Tried these last night. Amazingly had everything but the noodles nice tip so quick drive to Tesco. Just as good as I imagined
Jacqueline Meldrum
I'm so glad you enjoyed them George. My husband is a fan too.