Ramen noodles, spicy pork, tangy sauce, and creamy cheese come together for an inventive, flavor-packed dish.
# Components:
→ Noodles
01 - 4 packs instant ramen noodles (3 oz each; seasoning discarded)
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 1.1 lbs ground pork
03 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons grated ginger
07 - 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
08 - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
09 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
10 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cheese Layer
14 - 9 oz ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg
16 - 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
17 - 1.75 oz parmesan cheese, grated
18 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional, for garnish)
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 350°F (180°C) and allow to preheat fully.
02 - Cook ramen noodles in boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; cook until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add ground pork to the skillet. Sauté until thoroughly browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
05 - Stir in gochujang, red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly.
06 - In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg, half the shredded mozzarella, and half the grated parmesan until smooth.
07 - In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Arrange a layer of ramen noodles, fitting to cover the surface. Top with one-third of the ricotta mixture, followed by one-third of the meat sauce. Repeat layering twice, finishing with meat sauce on top.
08 - Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer.
09 - Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and continue baking for 10–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and lightly golden.
11 - Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions if desired.
