Creamy Garlic Ramen for Less Than Two Dollars

Love our recipes? Show your support by following us — pretty please!🥺

FOLLOW ON PINTEREST
Kate

Hi! I’m Kate, the face behind KateFi.com—a blog all about making life easier and more affordable.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you). See our official affiliate disclosure for more details.

If you thought ramen was just a broke college kid’s last resort, think again. This Creamy Garlic Ramen recipe will have you slurping like you’re dining at a trendy noodle bar—but for less than two bucks a bowl. Yep, we’re about to turn your sad packet of noodles into a creamy, savory, comfort meal that tastes shockingly fancy and won’t break the bank.


Why You’ll Love This Ramen

  • Costs under $2 per serving
  • Ready in 10 minutes
  • Rich, creamy garlic flavor
  • Minimal ingredients
  • No fancy kitchen gadgets needed

Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or just craving something quick and cozy, this is your new go-to.


Ingredients Breakdown

IngredientApprox. CostNotes
Instant Ramen$0.30Any kind—ditch the seasoning packet
Garlic (3 cloves)$0.20Fresh for max flavor
Butter (1 tbsp)$0.15Or olive oil if you prefer
Milk (1/2 cup)$0.25Dairy or unsweetened plant-based
Grated Cheese$0.50Parmesan or shredded blend works great
Salt & PepperNegligiblePantry staples
Optional: Egg$0.25For protein and richness

Total Estimated Cost: $1.65

👉 Get Free Cash Now: Start earning extra with FreeCash and turn your downtime into dollars.


Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Boil the noodles
Cook your ramen according to the package instructions—but skip the flavor packet. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Make the garlic butter base
In a saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and slightly golden. Don’t burn it—garlic burns fast!

👉 Work From Home Chat Jobs: No experience needed, pays weekly. Check out Chat Jobs to start working from your couch.

Step 3: Add milk and cheese
Pour in your milk and stir until warmed. Slowly add in your grated cheese while stirring until it melts into a luscious sauce.

Step 4: Combine
Add the drained noodles to your sauce and mix until fully coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If you’re adding an egg, you can poach it separately or stir it in while the sauce is hot to create a creamy, carbonara-like texture.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Top with more cheese, herbs, or a drizzle of chili oil if you’re feelin’ fancy.

💡 Follow KateFi.com on Pinterest for:

  • Frugal living hacks
  • Budget-friendly meal ideas
  • Creative side hustle tips
  • DIY tricks that save you money
➡️ Follow on Pinterest

Money-Saving Kitchen Tips

  • Buy garlic in bulk and freeze minced portions in ice cube trays.
  • Use shredded cheese you already have—cheddar, mozzarella, or even vegan cheese works.
  • Reuse leftover ramen noodles for stir-fry like our One-Pot Spicy Cajun Chicken Rice.

👉 Get Free Cash Now: Start earning extra with FreeCash and turn your downtime into dollars.


Nutrition Boosters

Want to sneak in more nutrients? Add:

  • A handful of spinach (toss it in with the sauce)
  • Frozen peas or corn
  • A scoop of protein powder (unflavored) in the sauce

More Recipes You’ll Love from KateFi:


Want More Than Just Dinner Tonight?

If saving money on food is your thing, you’re gonna love saving money everywhere else too.

👉 Get Free Cash Now: Start earning extra with FreeCash and turn your downtime into dollars.

👉 Work From Home Chat Jobs: No experience needed, pays weekly. Check out Chat Jobs to start working from your couch.


Final Thoughts

You don’t need a fancy pantry or a high-end salary to eat deliciously. This Creamy Garlic Ramen proves that under $2 meals can be dreamy, satisfying, and dare we say… a little bougie.

👉 Get Free Cash Now: Start earning extra with FreeCash and turn your downtime into dollars.

👉 Work From Home Chat Jobs: No experience needed, pays weekly. Check out Chat Jobs to start working from your couch.

So next time you’re staring at that sad packet of instant noodles, just remember—you’re one garlic clove and a splash of milk away from a budget-friendly bowl of bliss.

Love budget-friendly bites like this? Don’t forget to subscribe to KateFi for new money-saving recipes every week!


P.S. Got your own ramen remix idea? Drop it in the comments—sharing is saving!

Love our recipes? Show your support by following us — pretty please!🥺

FOLLOW ON PINTEREST
Scroll to Top