A few extra ingredients can turn pantry basics, like pasta or instant ramen, into an interesting, exciting meal.
For example, Natalia Rudin, a former private chef, dresses up instant ramen using ingredients like chili crisp, lime, fried eggs, scallions, or cheddar cheese.
“Throw some sesame seeds on top, and it’ll look like a gourmet meal,” Rudin told Business Insider.
Overall, her upgrades vary based on what she has on hand and what sounds good that night.
For elevating a basic pasta dish, she recommends using fresh ingredients, like asparagus, garlic, or peas, and simple proteins, like chickpeas, lentils, ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
Even “a little bit of white wine” can elevate and balance a sauce, she added.
