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DIY Instant Ramen Jars (Healthy, No MSG, Budget101® Copycat Recipe)

Name: DIY Instant Ramen Jars (Healthy, No MSG)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8- oz Single-Serve: 1/4 cup pasta; 1 tsp bouillon; 1/8 tsp each pepper; 16- oz Meal-Size: 1/3 cup pasta; 1 1/2 tsp bouillon; 1/4 tsp each pepper; Curried: 1 tsp curry (1/4 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp parsley, pinch chili); Italian Herb: 1 tsp Italian seasoning (1/4 tsp chili flakes, 1/2 tsp tomato powder (opt.)); Classic Chicken: 1 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon total (1/2 tsp parsley, 1/8 tsp turmeric, tiny pinch celery seed); Beef & Garlic: 1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon total (1/4 tsp garlic, 1/4 tsp onion, 1/8 tsp thyme); Spicy Sesame Ginger: 1/2 tsp ginger (1/8 tsp chili, 1/2 tsp sesame; 1/2 tsp soy/miso powder (opt.)); Southwest Cumin: 1/2 tsp cumin (1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/8 tsp smoked paprika); Creamy Alfredo-Style: 1 tsp milk powder (1/2 tsp Parmesan powder, 1/2 tsp garlic)

If your kids love ramen but you’re not a fan of the mystery ingredients, these homemade instant noodle jars are the perfect fix. We use 100% semolina pasta (no bioengineered ingredients), real spices, and a simple egg-drop option for protein. Prep a week’s worth in 10 minutes—your future self (and hungry teen) will thank you.

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✨ Jump to:

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🛒 Ingredient Notes
👩‍🍳 How to Make DIY Instant Ramen Jars
🥣 Jar Sizes & Precise Measurements
🌶️ 7 Flavor Mixes
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
💡 Expert Tips
📦 Storage Tips
📝 Printable Recipe Card

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cleaner than packets: 100% semolina pasta + pantry spices, no MSG, no bioengineered ingredients.
Customizable: Seven family-tested flavors including Curried, Italian, Spicy Sesame Ginger & more.
Protein Boost: Easy egg-drop method cooks right in the jar or pot.
Real-life easy: Add hot water and wait, or simmer 5–6 minutes on the stove.

Ingredient Notes

Pasta: Use 100% semolina spaghetti (broken), fideo, or other small pasta. Aim for short pieces for quick cooking.
Broth base: Chicken, beef, or vegetable bouillon powder. Choose lower-sodium if preferred.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, curry, cumin, ginger, chili flakes, etc.
Optional add-ins: Dried/Freeze-dried veggies, coconut milk powder (for creamy styles), sesame seeds, soy sauce or miso powder.

How to Make DIY Instant Ramen Jars

Layer: Add pasta, bouillon/seasonings, and any dried veggies to a clean jar. Cap and store.
Cook (Kettle Method): Add boiling water to the fill line (see sizes below), cover, and rest 10–12 minutes. Stir halfway.
Cook (Stovetop Quick): Dump the jar into a small saucepan, add water to measurement, and simmer 5–6 minutes until tender.
Optional Egg-Drop Protein: When noodles are nearly done, gently swirl the hot broth and stream in 1 beaten egg. Cook 30–60 seconds until silky.

Jar Sizes & Precise Measurements

Choose your jar size: 8-oz (single serve) or 16-oz (meal size). Mark a fill line on the outside with tape or a marker for easy water measuring.

8-oz (Half-Pint) — Single Serve

Pasta: 1/4 cup (about 20–25 g) short pasta
Bouillon: 1 teaspoon
Base spices: 1/8 tsp black pepper, 1/8 tsp garlic powder, 1/8 tsp onion powder
Flavor mix: 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon (choose one from the 7 below)
Optional dried veg: 1–2 teaspoons
Water to fill line: 1 cup (8 oz / ~240 ml)

16-oz (Pint) — Meal Size

Pasta: 1/3 cup (about 30–35 g) short pasta
Bouillon: 1 1/2 teaspoons
Base spices: 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder
Flavor mix: 1–1 1/2 teaspoons (choose one from the 7 below)
Optional dried veg: 1 tablespoon
Water to fill line: 1 1/2 cups (12 oz / ~355 ml)

Note: Teens who like a stronger hit (especially with curry or pepper) can add +1/4 tsp of their favorite spice at serving.

7 Flavor Mixes

Use the 8-oz amounts for single serve and the 16-oz amounts for meal size.

1) Curried

8-oz jar: 1/2 tsp curry powder, 1/8 tsp ground cumin, pinch turmeric, 1/4 tsp dried parsley, optional pinch chili flakes
16-oz jar: 1 tsp curry powder, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, 1/8 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp dried parsley, optional 1/8 tsp chili flakes

2) Italian Herb

8-oz jar: 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (optional), 1/4 tsp tomato powder (optional)
16-oz jar: 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional), 1/2 tsp tomato powder (optional)

3) Classic Chicken

8-oz jar: +1 tsp chicken bouillon (if not using base bouillon, use 1 tsp total), 1/4 tsp dried parsley, pinch turmeric, tiny pinch celery seed
16-oz jar: +1 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon (or 1 1/2 tsp total), 1/2 tsp dried parsley, 1/8 tsp turmeric, 1/16 tsp celery seed

4) Beef & Garlic

8-oz jar: +1 tsp beef bouillon (or 1 tsp total), 1/8 tsp extra garlic, 1/8 tsp onion powder, pinch thyme
16-oz jar: +1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon (or 1 1/2 tsp total), 1/4 tsp extra garlic, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp thyme

5) Spicy Sesame Ginger

8-oz jar: 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp garlic, pinch chili flakes, 1/4 tsp sesame seeds; optional 1/4 tsp soy sauce or miso powder
16-oz jar: 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp garlic, 1/8 tsp chili flakes, 1/2 tsp sesame seeds; optional 1/2 tsp soy sauce or miso powder

6) Southwest Cumin

8-oz jar: 1/4 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp mild chili powder, pinch smoked paprika, pinch dried cilantro (optional)
16-oz jar: 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp mild chili powder, 1/8 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp dried cilantro (optional)

7) Creamy Alfredo-Style

8-oz jar: 1/2 tsp milk powder, 1/4 tsp Parmesan cheese powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder
16-oz jar: 1 tsp milk powder, 1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder

💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown

Walmart estimates, Fall 2025. Prices vary by store/brand; use as a realistic planning guide.

Ingredient	Amount Used	Package Size	Full Cost	Used Cost
100% Semolina Pasta	1/3 cup (35 g)	16 oz (454 g)	$1.28	$0.10
Bouillon Powder (chicken/veg)	1 1/2 tsp (~4.5 g)	8 oz (227 g)	$3.68	$0.07
Garlic Powder	1/4 tsp	3.12 oz	$1.12	$0.01
Onion Powder	1/4 tsp	3 oz	$1.12	$0.01
Black Pepper	1/4 tsp	3 oz	$1.14	$0.01
Optional Dried Veg Mix	1 Tbsp	2.5 oz	$3.24	$0.12
🧾 Total Recipe Cost (Base, Pint Jar):				$0.32 – $0.45
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Cost Per Serving (1 meal):				$0.32 – $0.45

Flavor Cost Add-Ons (Approx. per 16-oz Pint Jar)

Flavor	Add-In(s)	Used Cost
Curried	1 tsp curry + cumin/turmeric/parsley	$0.05–$0.08
Italian Herb	1 tsp Italian seasoning (+ optional tomato powder)	$0.03–$0.07
Classic Chicken	Extra 1/2 tsp bouillon + parsley/turmeric	$0.03–$0.05
Beef & Garlic	Extra bouillon + garlic/onion/thyme	$0.03–$0.06
Spicy Sesame Ginger	Ginger, chili, sesame; optional soy/miso	$0.06–$0.10
Southwest Cumin	Cumin, chili, smoked paprika	$0.04–$0.07
Creamy Alfredo-Style	Milk powder + Parm powder + garlic	$0.10–$0.18

Egg add-on: 1 large egg adds ~7g protein and ~$0.18–$0.30 depending on local pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use gluten-free pasta? Yes—choose small shapes and expect a slightly shorter soak or gentle simmer to prevent mushiness.

How do I make it less salty? Use low-sodium bouillon and reduce added salt; boost herbs, garlic, and onion for flavor.

Kettle vs. stovetop? Kettle is grab-and-go (10–12 min rest). Stovetop is fastest (5–6 min simmer) and best for egg-drop.

💡 Expert Tips

Egg-Drop, Two Ways: (1) Beat egg and stream into simmering soup, stirring gently; or (2) crack a whole egg into hot soup, cover 2–3 minutes to poach.
Stronger spice lovers: Add +1/4 tsp of your favorite spice at serving (especially curry or black pepper).
Veggie boost: Stir in a handful of thawed frozen peas/corn after cooking—kids love the color.