Ramen Macaroni & Cheese
Disneyland Inspiration In Comfort Food Form
This Disney inspired Ramen Macaroni & Cheese is made with super sharp cheddar, creamy Chihuahua cheese, buttery homemade cheese sauce, and savory beef ramen seasoning to create the ultimate comfort food casserole. Finished with bubbly golden cheese and a sprinkle of furikake, this baked mac has that rich, salty, and nostalgic flavor that keeps you going back for another scoop.
I was at Disney California Adventure during the Food & Wine Festival and tried the Ramen Macaroni & Cheese on the very last day. I honestly did not have high hopes for it, but one bite in I was completely blown away.
It was so savory, rich, and flavorful. Naturally I went home, searched Amazon for ramen seasoning, and immediately started testing my own version which ended up absolutely incredible.
What Is The Ramen Seasoning?
For this recipe, I ordered powdered ramen seasoning on Amazon because I wanted the savory flavor without having to buy dozens of packs of instant noodles. The one I use comes with beef, chicken, and vegetable seasoning packets, which is nice because you can experiment with different flavors depending on the recipe.
Honestly though, you can absolutely use the seasoning packets that come inside regular ramen noodle packages too.
If you want to try the one I have been using, I will link it here.
*This is an Amazon Affiliate link, which means I get a small commission if you use the link to make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you.*
It’s the same seasoning I use in the Chinese Five Spice Pork Tenderloin.
My biggest advice is to add the seasoning a little at a time and taste as you go because every brand has a different salt level and flavor intensity. Start with about 1 tablespoon in the cheese sauce, whisk well, taste it, and then continue adding more until you get that rich savory flavor you like.
You can also pilfer the seasoning packets from the soup packages they sell for twenty-five cents.
Now For The Furikake
Furikake is a Japanese rice seasoning blend that usually contains ingredients like sesame seeds, seaweed, salt, dried fish, and other spices. It adds a salty, savory, umami flavor to foods.
I ordered mine on Amazon because there are a ton of varieties to choose from. You can also find furikake in most grocery stores now.
Look for it either in the international aisle, Asian food section, or sometimes near the rice and sushi ingredients. It adds the perfect finishing touch to this Ramen Mac and Cheese, offering a little crunch, extra umami and that restaurant-style flavor that makes the whole dish taste a little more special.
Cheese Sauce Pointers
One thing to keep in mind with this recipe is that the cheese sauce may need a little adjusting depending on the type of cheese you use and how finely it is shredded.
Super sharp cheddar especially can sometimes become thick or slightly stringy as it melts, especially when using a large amount of freshly shredded cheese like I did in this recipe. If your sauce starts feeling too thick, stretchy, or difficult to stir, simply whisk in a splash of milk a little at a time until the consistency loosens up.
You are looking for a creamy, smooth sauce that resembles a thick soup more than a heavy cheese dip. This style of macaroni and cheese should bake up bubbly and creamy and soak into the noodles.
It should not be giving a huge cheese pull. If your sauce ends up too thin, just let it simmer for a couple more minutes while whisking so it can naturally thicken before adding the pasta.
Chihuahua Cheese
Chihuahua cheese is a mild, creamy Mexican melting cheese that becomes incredibly smooth and silky when heated. This is why I love using it in macaroni and cheese recipes.
It helps balance the sharper flavor of the cheddar and creates a creamier sauce texture. If you cannot find it, good substitutes would be mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Oaxaca cheese, white American cheese, or even a mild fontina for that same smooth melty consistency.
Ramen Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
This Disney-inspired Ramen Mac and Cheese combines super sharp cheddar, creamy Chihuahua cheese, and savory beef ramen seasoning for an ultra rich and nostalgic baked macaroni and cheese. Finished with golden bubbly cheese and a sprinkle of furikake, this comforting casserole has the perfect balance of creamy, salty, and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni noodles
- 16 ounces super sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 2 cups Chihuahua cheese, shredded (If you cannot find Chihuahua cheese, use mozzarella)
- 16 tablespoons butter (2 sticks)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of soy sauce *I prefer a dark soy sauce
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 to 3 tablespoons beef ramen seasoning powder *see post for more information (use 1 tablespoon at a time and taste as you go)
- Additional shredded cheese reserved for topping:
- 1 cup sharp cheddar
- 1/2 cup Chihuahua cheese
- Extra ramen seasoning for the top
- Furikake for finishing *see post for information
- Butter for greasing casserole dish
Instructions
- Boil the macaroni noodles according to package directions, but cook them just slightly under al dente since they will continue cooking in the oven. Drain the noodles and rinse lightly with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with butter.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes while whisking constantly.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to keep the sauce smooth. Add the heavy cream and continue whisking until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the soy sauce.
- The consistency should be more like a thick soup, not overly thick or stringy. If the sauce feels too thick while cooking, slowly whisk in a little more milk until it loosens up.
- Add the shredded cheeses a handful at a time, reserving the cheese you set aside for topping. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Sprinkle in the ramen seasoning 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking and tasting after each addition. Depending on the brand of seasoning you use, the salt level can vary greatly, so use discretion. You can always add more seasoning later, but you cannot remove it once it is added.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with the reserved cheddar cheese, reserved Chihuahua cheese, and a light sprinkle of additional ramen seasoning.
- Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly with golden brown cheese on top. Every oven works differently, so keep an eye on it the first time you make it to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Once removed from the oven, immediately top with furikake before serving. *furikake seasoning is explained in the post before the recipe card