Prison Spread Recipe

Intro

Each recipe has a history, and some are conceived in the most unlikely of places. Whenever one hears about prison food, what immediately runs into their mind is mystery meat, canned vegetables, and watery coffee. 

However, behind those walls, there is something that is not on the official menu, something that was created through creativity, hunger, and requirements to be comfortable. I mean the Prison Spread Recipe.

Now, don’t let the name fool you. This meal is not about punishment or lack; it is about the maximum of what is at hand, it is taking the ordinary and sometimes plain constituents and making them crave worthy instead. Consider ramen noodles that no longer have the flavour of sodium bombs, as in your poor college life. 

Imagine chips that have been smashed into texture, packets of seasoning which has been turned into a sauce, and all the odd little bits of ingredients that have been gathered together to produce a meal that feels substantial, luxurious, and, frankly, soulful.

It is survival food made into comfort food. And after you try it, you will see why it has so many cult-followers beyond prison walls as well.

What is Prison Spread?

What is a prison spread then? It is basically a makeshift snack, typically constructed around instant ramen, and whatever is on hand – chips, summer sausage, cheese spread, hot sauce, pickles, beans, or even jerky. 

It is meant to be shared with friends, that is, a group of individuals can devour it collectively, and it is as communal as it is filling your gut. The flavors? Think of a cross between nachos, ramen, and a casserole. Salty, spicy, tangy, crunchy, cheesy, it is junk food heaven in a bag or in a bowl. 

The technique is equally a part of its appeal: one cuts everything, breaks, stirs, and layers it into a single large and communal dish.

And it is not the type of dish one would make if one were aspiring to Michelin stars. It is food that is noisy, sloppy, and irreverently entertaining.

Equipment List

The beauty of a prison spread is that you don’t need fancy gear. In fact, part of its identity is making do with what’s around. But if you’re making it at home, here’s what will help:

• Large mixing bowl (or a clean gallon-sized Ziploc bag if you want the authentic experience)
• Spoon or spatula for mixing
• Sharp knife for chopping any extras
• Cutting board
• Pot of boiling water (or an electric kettle) for cooking the ramen
• Serving spoons or forks (or… just dig in, family-style)

Ingredients For Prison Spread Recipe

• 3 packs of instant ramen (chicken or beef)
• 1 large bag flavored chips (Doritos, Cheetos, or BBQ chips)
• 1 beef summer sausage or beef stick, diced
• 1 small can of beans (optional)
• 1 pouch cheese spread (or ½ cup shredded cheese)
• 2–3 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 pickle or jalapeño, finely chopped
• Extra seasoning packets (ramen or taco seasoning)
• Water, just enough to soften noodles

Step-by-Step Instructions For Prison Spread Recipe

Step 1

Boil the ramen until it is softened. Soak out much of the water, and keep a drop or two to blend.

Step 2

Crush the chips in the bag until they are small, and pour into a mixing bowl (or use the bag itself).

Step 3

Place your cooked pasta on top of the potato chips.

Step 4

Add the diced sausage, beans, and chopped pickles.

Step 5

Add the cheese spread and stir it in until it is coated everywhere.

Step 6

Taste it with the hot sauce and seasoning packets.

Step 7

This is the entertaining bit – all of it gets mashed in a large pot till it is a big, sticky, savory mush.

Step 8

Pick up forks and eat family style. Or wrap it burrito-fashion in a tortilla, should you be feeling fancy.

The Magic of Improvisation

The most amazing thing about this Prison Spread Recipe is that there is no set of rules. And when you have jerky in place of sausage, add it in. When you only happen to have plain chips, add additional seasoning or hot sauce. 

No cheese? Peanut butter is a surprisingly good variation, though, do not dismiss it before trying. That is the true prison atmosphere in general–plasticity.

Flavors You Can Expect

In case you have never tried a Prison Spread Recipe, consider the most extreme pairing of late-night foods. 

The noodles are comfort, the chips are crunch and seasoning, the cheese is cream, and the sausage or beans are protein. The spicy hot sauce breaks the richness with a spicy kick and the pickle/jalapeño slices of brightness.

It is salty, spicy, tangy, and savory simultaneously. Messy? Absolutely. However, when food is untidy, it is the tastiest.

Why People Love This Prison Spread Recipe

And you may question, why what was made under such hard conditions, should have become so popular beyond prison. The solution is easy, it is communal, it is nostalgic, and it is resourceful. 

We all recall being poor and putting together a “meal out of the crumbs of the pantry. The spread glorifies that survival instinct but makes it strangely good.

Besides, the fact of non-observation of cooking rules is somehow fun. Nobody is obsessed with presentation, plating, or garnish. It is not pretentious like the other way round; it is food that has a personality.

Variations Worth Trying

Mexican-Themed Spread: Add canned corn, black beans, and salsa to chili-lime chips.

Cheeseburger Spread: Replace the sausage with ground beef, cheese with chedda, and add a handful of diced pickles with ketchup and mustard.

Buffalo Spread: Add chopped chicken, buffalo sauce, and crumbles of blue cheese.

Vegetarian Spread: Veggie ramen, beans, salsa, and additional jalapenos.

Tips for Making It at Home

• Do not boil the ramen too long; mushy noodles kill the flavor.
• Balance your flavors. When your chips are excessively salty, use less seasoning packet.
• Make it communal. It is a great recipe to share with friends; laughter and storytelling are part of it.
• At least once, try the bag method. It is strangely gratifying to put it all in a large chip bag.

More Delicious Recipes:

• Mellow Mushroom Beer Cheese Recipe
• Alabama Hot Pockets Recipe
• Crock Pot Pierogi and Kielbasa Casserole Recipe