Chili & Cheese Ramen Wonder

Total Time: 20 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 packages ramen noodles (any flavor since you won't need the seasoning packet) or 2 -3 cups of any leftover pasta (plain)
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chili with beans (use meatless if you swing that way)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes (with or without green chilies)
• 4 -8 ounces shredded cheese or 4 -8 ounces sliced cheese (of your choice, monterey jack, american, cheddar - i usually use extra sharp cheddar - you get a lot)

Recipe

• 1 get a 3-quart casserole with a lid, and put about 6 cups of water in it, cover it and stick it in the microwave for about 3 minutes.
• 2 meanwhile, crush the packages of ramen slightly, carefully open and remove the seasoning packets, which you won't need.
• 3 (collect'em, trade'em with your friends. i have 47 assorted seasoning packets now!) set aside the ramen for now.
• 4 open the cans of chili and the tomatoes.
• 5 do not drain the tomatoes: you'll need the juice in this or it might be kind of dry.
• 6 if the cheese is sliced or in a chunk, break or cut it up into small bits that will melt easily.
• 7 take the casserole out of the microwave, dump in the ramen noodles, pushing all the bits down into the water, breaking it up a bit more if necessary.
• 8 cover and return to microwave oven, cook for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• 9 check to see if the ramen noodles seem mostly done.
• 10 (you don't want them mushy. okay, maybe you do, but i don't) if they seem done, drain well.
• 11 the lid on my casserole is not a tight fit, so i just hold the lid on and turn the whole things sideways so the water drains out.
• 12 dump in the chili and tomatoes, and toss well.
• 13 i used two large spoons to do this.
• 14 cover and return to microwave, cook on high for 5 minutes or until hot throughout.
• 15 when you remove the casserole from the microwave, put your side dish in to heat up.
• 16 then sprinkle the chili ramen with cheese, replace cover, and let stand until cheese melts.
• 17 by the time the side dish is hot, the cheese should be melted nicely.
• 18 now, check to see if they got that table set, or if you're gonna put this in the fridge for tomorrow night's dinner!