If you’re craving a quick, creamy, and comforting dish, this Ramen Carbonara is here to save dinner! This creative twist combines the rich, cheesy flavor of traditional carbonara with the convenience of instant ramen noodles. It’s ready in just 15 minutes, budget-friendly, and irresistibly satisfying — perfect for a cozy night in or an easy weekday lunch.
Why You’ll Love This Ramen Carbonara
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes with simple pantry staples.
- Budget-Friendly Comfort Food: Made with affordable ingredients but tastes gourmet.
- Fusion Flavor: A fun spin on two favorites — Italian carbonara and Japanese ramen.
- Customizable: Add veggies, swap the protein, or use your favorite noodles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to whip up this creamy ramen carbonara:
- Ramen noodles: Use any instant ramen (skip the flavor packet). Regular ramen works better than rice noodles, which can fall apart when stirred.
- Bacon: Gives the dish a crispy, salty bite. Pancetta or prosciutto are great alternatives.
- Eggs: The base of your creamy carbonara sauce — no cream needed!
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for the best flavor and silky texture.
- Garlic: Just a couple cloves for a savory depth.
- Fresh basil (optional): Adds color and a fragrant finish. Dried basil can work in a pinch.
- Salt & black pepper: Season to taste — go easy on the salt if your bacon is salty.
How to Make Ramen Carbonara
This creamy ramen carbonara comes together fast, so prep your ingredients ahead!
1. Cook the Ramen
Boil the ramen noodles according to package directions (without the seasoning packet), then drain and set aside. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water just in case you need it later to loosen the sauce.
2. Mix the Eggs and Cheese
While the noodles cook, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan in a medium bowl. Set it aside — this will become your velvety sauce.
3. Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. If there’s excess fat, drain off most of it, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Combine Everything
Add the cooked ramen to the skillet and toss well to coat in the bacon and garlic mixture. Then, remove the pan from heat.
5. Make It Creamy
Pour in the egg and cheese mixture and quickly toss everything together. The residual heat will gently cook the eggs, turning them into a silky sauce that clings to every noodle. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
6. Garnish and Serve
Top with fresh basil and a generous grind of black pepper. Serve hot!
Expert Tips for Perfect Ramen Carbonara
- Remove from heat before adding the eggs to avoid scrambling. The heat from the noodles will do all the work.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, richest sauce.
- Adjust with pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Add-ins: Try mushrooms, spinach, peas, or shredded chicken — but keep it simple to let the creamy sauce shine.
- For a more authentic flavor, use Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan if you can find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carbonara?
Carbonara is a classic Roman pasta dish made with eggs, cheese (typically Pecorino Romano), cured pork like guanciale or pancetta, and black pepper. The creaminess comes from eggs and cheese — never cream!
Can I use bacon instead of guanciale?
Yes! While traditional carbonara uses guanciale, bacon is a tasty and more accessible substitute.
Can I use other types of noodles?
Absolutely. Spaghetti is the traditional choice, but fettuccine, linguine, or even udon would work well here too.
Why did my eggs scramble?
If the eggs get too hot too fast, they can scramble. Always remove the pan from the heat before adding the egg and cheese mixture, and stir quickly.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Let leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce.
Freezing Not Recommended: The sauce doesn’t freeze well and the noodles can become mushy — this dish is best enjoyed fresh!
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Ramen Carbonara
Description
This Ramen Carbonara recipe combines the indulgent flavors of classic Italian carbonara with the convenience of instant ramen noodles. Made with crispy bacon, a velvety egg and Parmesan sauce, and finished with a touch of garlic and basil, it's the ultimate comfort food fusion. Ready in just 15 minutes, this quick and easy pasta-style dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, lazy lunches, or budget-friendly meals that feel gourmet. One bite and you'll be hooked on this creamy, cheesy ramen twist!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the Ramen: Prepare the ramen noodles according to the package directions—this usually takes just a few minutes. Once cooked, drain and toss them lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Egg and Cheese: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it’s golden and crispy. If there's too much grease in the pan, drain off the excess, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind for flavor.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked ramen noodles to the skillet and toss everything together. Remove the pan from heat.
- Create the Sauce: Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot noodles and toss quickly. The residual heat will gently cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce without scrambling.
- Garnish and Serve: Top your ramen carbonara with fresh basil and a generous crack of black pepper. Serve immediately while warm and creamy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 40g62%
- Saturated Fat 16g80%
- Cholesterol 139mg47%
- Sodium 2172mg91%
- Potassium 275mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 43g15%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 1g
- Protein 25g50%
- Vitamin A 461 IU
- Vitamin C 1 mg
- Calcium 339 mg
- Iron 4 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Cheese Options: Traditional carbonara uses Pecorino Romano for its sharp, salty flavor. However, Parmesan is a perfectly delicious and more accessible alternative.
Ramen Noodles: You can use any type of instant or fresh ramen noodles—just be sure to discard the flavor packets since they’re not needed for this recipe.
No Bacon? No Problem: Pancetta or guanciale are great substitutes if you're looking to switch things up or make it more traditional.
Fresh Herbs: No basil on hand? Try chopped parsley or simply leave it out—the dish will still be full of flavor.
Garlic Lovers: If you enjoy a bolder garlic flavor, feel free to add another clove or two to suit your taste.
