Creamy Instant Pot Carbonara Ramen

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

I first tried this Instant Pot ramen carbonara when I craved comfort food but had little time to cook. It hit all the right notes: cheesy, silky, and full of bacon flavor — my family asked 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 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 if desired; leave the rest and bacon fat in the pot.

Sauté garlic:

Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Cook 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.

Mix sauce:

While the noodles cook, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), and black pepper in a bowl.

Finish and combine:

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.

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My kids love swirling their noodles in the creamy sauce and helping top with extra Parmesan. It always brings everyone together for a quick but memorable dinner.

Required Tools

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

Allergen Information

Contains: Eggs, Milk (Parmesan, cream), Wheat (ramen noodles). Bacon may contain traces of other allergens; check packaging. Always double-check ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 540 Calories, 28g Total Fat, 48g Carbohydrates, 23g Protein

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Try this fusion dish for cozy nights or impress friends with its creamy ramen twist. Dinner will be on the table fast!

Recipe Questions

→ Can I substitute pancetta for bacon?

Yes, pancetta works beautifully as a substitute, providing a similar savory flavor and crisp texture.

→ How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling when adding the sauce?

Stir the egg and cheese mixture vigorously into the hot noodles immediately after pressure cooking; the residual heat gently cooks it into a creamy sauce.

→ Can I make a vegetarian version?

Omit the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms or vegetables like peas or spinach for added texture and flavor.

→ Is it okay to use the seasoning packets from ramen noodles?

For this dish, it’s best to discard the seasoning packets to keep the flavor profile balanced and savory without extra saltiness or artificial flavors.

→ What cheese is used in this dish?

Grated Parmesan cheese is used to add a rich, nutty flavor that complements the creamy sauce and smoky bacon.

→ Can heavy cream be omitted?

Yes, heavy cream is optional. Omitting it will result in a slightly lighter sauce while retaining creaminess from the eggs and cheese.