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Easy One-Pot Ramen Carbonara – Best College Student Dinner

Easy One-Pot Ramen Carbonara for College Students - featured image
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A creamy, cheesy, carb-heavy bowl of comfort made with instant ramen, an egg, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 15 minutes, this budget-friendly recipe is perfect for dorm kitchens or tiny apartments.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 packets instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated from a block)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 1/4 cup cooked bacon or ham (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Fill a medium pot with about 3 cups of water and bring to a rolling boil.
  2. Drop in both blocks of ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just shy of al dente.
  3. Before draining, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water and set aside.
  4. Drain the noodles in a colander (do not rinse).
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan until smooth. Add a pinch of black pepper.
  6. Slowly drizzle about 2 tablespoons of the hot reserved pasta water into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
  7. Return the pot to low heat and add the butter and minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Add the drained noodles back to the pot. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the top and toss quickly with forks or tongs to coat every strand.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add the remaining reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until silky and glossy.
  10. Taste and add salt if needed (go easy), plus more black pepper. Stir in any optional add-ins like peas or bacon. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes.

Notes

Tempering the eggs is crucial to avoid scrambled eggs. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture. Do not overcook the ramen; pull at 2 minutes. Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers do not reheat well.

Nutrition

Keywords: ramen carbonara, easy college dinner, one-pot pasta, budget-friendly, quick dinner, creamy ramen, student meal

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