The cuisines of Italy and Japan come together in this deliciously simple version of Carbonara Ramen.
Packaged ramen noodles are a great way to put together a quick meal. From start to finish, this dish comes together in only 15 minutes. How’s that for getting dinner on the table quickly?
This fusion dish combines Japanese ramen with Italian carbonara. I love how blending two cultures often leads to surprisingly good results. Traditional spaghetti carbonara often features pancetta and egg yolks, but we’re simplifying this dish with bacon and whole eggs. Although the egg yolks provide a particular richness to the dish, combining the whole eggs with freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives you an elevated deliciousness you won’t expect from such a quick recipe.
Another benefit of this dish is that it is prepared on the stove, eliminating the need to heat the kitchen with the oven. That makes it perfect for warm nights. Everyone will think you spent hours on it, but no one needs to know how little time it took to prepare.
Is Carbonara Ramen Healthy?
Carbonara ramen is not the healthiest dish, but it is tasty. It contains a lot of fat and sodium, but on the plus side, it also includes a lot of protein. Combining this dish with vegetables or a salad will help make a wholesome and more nutritious meal. You can switch to low-sodium bacon or turkey bacon to reduce the sodium in this dish. Some brands of turkey bacon are also low in fat, which can help improve the healthfulness of this dish.
Does This Dish Contain Raw Eggs?
One of the misconceptions about carbonara is that it contains raw eggs. The trick to making perfect carbonara is to work quickly. The noodles are mixed in the skillet with the hot onion and garlic first. When the noodles are hot and well-coated, remove the pan from the heat, add the bacon, and then pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot noodles immediately. The heat from the noodles cooks the eggs as you toss the pasta. Mix it well, and the eggs will cook, creating a silky, creamy, delicious sauce.
How do I store leftovers?
Let leftover ramen cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating (preferably on the stove), add a tablespoon of water or milk to restore moisture. This dish does not freeze well.
Serving Suggestions
Pasta and salad are natural pairings, and a few that I recommend to go with this dish are Spring Salad, Cucumber And Tomato Salad (With Onions), La Scala Chopped Salad, and Italian Salad. If you enjoy cooking with ramen noodles, be sure to try this recipe for Asian Ramen Slaw. It’s a classic!
Ingredients
- 9 ounces ramen noodles 3 packages, discard seasoning packets
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1/3 cup finely diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook ramen noodles per package instructions without seasoning. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add onion and cook until translucent, then add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the garlic and toss to combine. Remove from heat and stir in the cooked bacon.
- Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the hot noodles and quickly toss to coat, allowing the heat from the noodles to cook the eggs.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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