This 2-Ingredient Hack Is Our New Favorite Way to Eat Instant Ramen

At Allrecipes, we consider cream of mushroom soup a pantry staple that adds richness and creamy flavor to countless dishes, from pork steaks to mac and cheese. However, we never imagined its potential paired with another affordable favorite: ramen noodles.

Thanks to @insta.noodls on TikTok, we just learned about a delicious 2-ingredient meal hack that takes your average instant ramen experience to new levels of creaminess. It has all the comfort of Shaquille O'Neal's ramen recipe without the hassle. Prepare for this newfound ramen hack to blow your mind (and make you feel like you’re back in college).

This one-pot ramen trend has become so popular on TikTok, we feel like we might be the last ones to know about it. So if it’s new to you too, you’re not alone—it’s never too late to indulge in a brilliant new meal hack.

The concept is super simple: just replace half of the water recommended in the ramen noodle recipe with cream of mushroom soup. The result is a luscious ramen broth that rivals the creaminess of fettuccine Alfredo, all while retaining the soul of ramen noodles.

This is budget food at its finest, serving as a perfectly acceptable dinner, late-night snack, or comforting morning-after meal. In just 20 minutes or less, you'll have a spicy, rich, and creamy noodle dish that defies its humble beginnings.

How to Make TikTok's 2-Ingredient Creamy Ramen Noodles

Prepare your instant noodles as usual by boiling water with the spice packet, but only use half of the water suggested in the instructions. Then, the magic happens—stir in half a can of cream of mushroom soup until the mixture is perfectly smooth without any lumps.

Finally, add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions. The noodles might take slightly longer than usual to cook. By simmering the ramen directly in the soup mixture, the ramen will soak up all the creaminess and flavor and turn the broth into a silky, spicy sauce that coats every noodle.

Most creators use cream of mushroom soup, ​​but we’re here to confirm almost any creamy soup would taste amazing with this combo: cream of chicken, cream of onion, cream of shrimp—the choice is yours. One user even suggested trying broccoli cheddar soup for a delicious twist.

There's no denying this combo is a bit of a sodium bomb, but you can make it a little less salty by opting for a low-sodium or no salt added soup.

To complete this 20-minute meal, pair your creamy ramen with some crunchy toppings, such as fresh jalapeños, crispy bacon, or Ritz cracker crumbs. You can also add an egg for more luxurious flavor. It's all about ease and simplicity with this pantry dinner, but a little extra pizzazz will make it feel even more fun.