Creamy Carbonara Ramen Hack

Featured in: Weeknight Dinners

This creamy fusion combines classic carbonara flavors with quick-cook ramen noodles using an Instant Pot. Bacon is sautéed until crisp, then mixed with garlic and noodles, cooked under pressure for a minute. A silky sauce made from eggs, Parmesan, and pepper is stirred in to coat the noodles perfectly, creating a rich and flavorful dish. Garnishes like reserved bacon and fresh parsley add a finishing touch. Ideal for a fast, satisfying meal that blends Italian and Japanese influences.

Updated on Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:10:00 GMT
Golden Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen, featuring crispy bacon and creamy, rich pasta texture. Save to Pinterest
Golden Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen, featuring crispy bacon and creamy, rich pasta texture. | yummywithmia.com

A creamy, savory noodle dish that fuses classic Italian carbonara with quick-cook ramen, all made effortlessly in your Instant Pot.

This ramen hack was a game-changer. The Instant Pot makes it silky, with zero guesswork, and every time I make it my family can't stop asking for seconds.

Ingredients

  • Noodles: 2 packs instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
  • Meats: 4 strips bacon, chopped
  • Dairy: 2 large eggs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • Aromatics: 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Liquids: 2 cups water
  • Seasonings: ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground, Salt, to taste
  • Garnishes (optional): Extra grated Parmesan, Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Sauté the bacon:
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp, about 3&4 minutes. Remove a tablespoon of bacon for garnish, leave the rest and bacon fat in the pot.
Add garlic:
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the noodles:
Add ramen noodles (broken in half if needed) and 2 cups water. Stir to submerge noodles.
Pressure cook:
Seal the Instant Pot lid. Cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Quick release the pressure when done.
Prepare the sauce:
While the noodles cook, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), and black pepper in a bowl.
Mix in sauce:
Open the Instant Pot. Working quickly, add the egg&Parmesan mixture to the hot noodles, stirring vigorously to create a creamy sauce (the heat will cook the eggs without scrambling them). Add salt to taste.
Serve:
Serve immediately, garnished with reserved bacon, more Parmesan, and parsley if desired.
Homemade Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen, swirling with Parmesan cheese and savory bacon crumbles for a quick meal. Save to Pinterest
Homemade Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen, swirling with Parmesan cheese and savory bacon crumbles for a quick meal. | yummywithmia.com

The first time I made this for my kids, the kitchen filled with laughter as they tried to master their chopstick twirls. It's now our Sunday comfort meal, shared around the kitchen counter.

Required Tools

Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, whisk, mixing bowl, tongs or chopsticks

Allergen Information

Contains eggs, milk (Parmesan, cream), wheat (ramen noodles). Always double-check ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 540
Total Fat: 28 g
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Protein: 23 g (per serving)

This satisfying Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen is a fusion dish with savory noodles, perfect for dinner tonight. Save to Pinterest
This satisfying Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen is a fusion dish with savory noodles, perfect for dinner tonight. | yummywithmia.com

This Instant Pot carbonara ramen brings together comfort and elegance in one bowl. Enjoy warm, creamy noodles that everyone craves, with minimal effort and cleanup.

Common Recipe Questions

Can I substitute the bacon with another meat?

Yes, pancetta or smoked ham can be used to maintain the smoky, savory element typical of carbonara flavors.

Is it necessary to use the Instant Pot for this dish?

The Instant Pot streamlines cooking by quickly pressure-cooking the noodles and melding flavors, but a stovetop can work with adjusted timing.

How do you prevent the eggs from scrambling when mixed in?

Mix the egg and cheese blend quickly into the hot noodles off the heat, stirring vigorously to create a smooth, creamy sauce.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Yes, peas, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms are great additions that complement the creamy texture and add freshness.

What type of cheese works best for this preparation?

Grated Parmesan cheese provides the classic sharp and salty notes essential to the creamy sauce.

Creamy Carbonara Ramen Hack

A creamy, savory noodle dish blending Italian carbonara flavors with quick-cook ramen, ready in minutes.

Prep Time
5 minutes
Cooking Duration
10 minutes
Overall Time
15 minutes
Created by Mia

Recipe Type Weeknight Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Culinary Origin Fusion (Italian/Japanese)

Total Output 2 Portion Size

Dietary Preferences None specified

What You'll Need

Noodles

01 2 packs instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)

Meats

01 4 strips bacon, chopped

Dairy

01 2 large eggs
02 ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
03 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)

Aromatics

01 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids

01 2 cups water

Seasonings

01 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
02 Salt, to taste

Garnishes (optional)

01 Reserved cooked bacon strips
02 Additional grated Parmesan cheese
03 Chopped fresh parsley

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Crisp Bacon: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add chopped bacon and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp. Remove one tablespoon for garnish, leaving the rest and bacon fat in the pot.

Step 02

Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the bacon fat and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 03

Add Noodles and Water: Add ramen noodles, breaking them in half if necessary, and 2 cups of water. Stir to fully submerge the noodles.

Step 04

Pressure Cook Noodles: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Perform a quick release once cooking is complete.

Step 05

Prepare Creamy Mixture: Whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), and freshly ground black pepper together in a bowl.

Step 06

Combine and Finish: Open the Instant Pot and immediately add the egg and cheese mixture to the hot noodles. Stir vigorously to form a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs. Season with salt to taste.

Step 07

Serve: Plate the noodles and garnish with reserved bacon, extra Parmesan, and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Tools Required

  • Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowl
  • Tongs or chopsticks

Allergy Warnings

Please review individual ingredients for potential allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains eggs, milk (Parmesan, cream), wheat (ramen noodles). Bacon may contain traces of other allergens; verify packaging.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Calories Count: 540
  • Fats: 28 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 48 grams
  • Proteins: 23 grams