A quintessential college food gets an upgrade with mushrooms, warm spices and a jammy egg
Published
July 19, 2026 10:30AM (EDT)
Instant ramen, made better (Tatiana / Getty Images)
I’ve been on a mission to transform a handful of my go-to “struggle meals” into something that feels and tastes more elevated — without breaking the bank, of course. Thus far, I’ve conquered the humble, often-overlooked canned soup, along with dinosaur chicken nuggets (a playful addition to any plate) and slabs of frozen pizza (the ultimate weeknight shortcut). My latest target is instant ramen, which remains a beloved pantry staple.
