Curly ramen noodles layered with tomato sauce and cheese, baked to a golden, bubbling finish in an easy fusion dish.
# Ingredients:
→ Noodles
01 - 3 instant ramen noodle bricks, approximately 3 oz each, seasoning packets discarded
→ Sauce
02 - 2 cups tomato pasta sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Cheese
05 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
→ Garnish
08 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)
09 - Cracked black pepper (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F.
02 - Combine tomato pasta sauce, dried Italian herbs, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
03 - Mix ricotta or cottage cheese with half of the grated Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl.
04 - Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
05 - Spread one-fourth of the tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking dish.
06 - Place one ramen noodle brick on top of the sauce, breaking it to fit if necessary.
07 - Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with the remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese on top.
08 - Pour 1/2 cup water around the edges of the baking dish to aid noodle cooking.
09 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
11 - Let sit for 5 minutes, then garnish with basil leaves and cracked black pepper if desired.