Fried Cabbage Ramen: The Ultimate Flavor Boost for Your Noodles

Are you ready to elevate your ramen game to an entirely new level? Forget those plain, seasoning-packet noodles. Prepare for a culinary revelation with this incredible Fried Cabbage Ramen recipe! This dish takes humble instant ramen and transforms it into a rich, deeply satisfying meal brimming with layers of flavor. Imagine smoky, crispy bacon mingling with sweet, caramelized onions, tender fried cabbage, and a luxurious coating of salty Parmesan cheese, all tossed with perfectly cooked ramen noodles. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that will quickly earn a permanent spot in your weekly dinner rotation.

A Fusion of Comfort: Fried Cabbage Meets Cacio e Pepe

This Fried Cabbage Ramen is more than just a dish; it’s a brilliant mashup, drawing inspiration from two beloved comfort food classics: hearty Fried Cabbage and the deceptively simple yet elegant Italian pasta, Cacio e Pepe. The result is a truly unique flavor profile that marries the best of both worlds.

From the iconic Roman dish, Cacio e Pepe, we borrow the magical combination of freshly ground black pepper, rich Parmesan cheese, and perfectly al dente noodles. This foundation provides a savory, peppery, and incredibly creamy base that elevates the entire dish. To this sophisticated backbone, we’ve introduced our quick and easy rendition of classic fried cabbage. Our version features thinly sliced cabbage sautéed until tender-crisp, infused with the irresistible aroma and flavor of copious amounts of smoky, rendered bacon. The bacon fat becomes a crucial element, adding depth and richness that traditional fried cabbage is known for.

The marriage of these two culinary traditions creates a meal that is profoundly flavorful, wonderfully filling, and surprisingly easy to prepare. It’s the ideal choice for any night of the week when you crave something extraordinary without spending hours in the kitchen. Get ready to impress your taste buds with this unforgettable fusion!

The Secret to Creaminess: Mastering Parmesan Cheese

The Parmesan cheese is a star ingredient in our Fried Cabbage Ramen, responsible for much of its irresistible creaminess and salty depth. While we strive for an easy recipe, the quality and preparation of your Parmesan cheese are paramount for achieving the best possible flavor and texture. We strongly advocate for using a high-quality block of Parmesan and grating it fresh. This seemingly small step makes a monumental difference in the final dish.

• When grating your cheese, use the small holes of a box grater or a microplane. This creates delicate strands that melt beautifully and seamlessly into the hot noodles and cabbage. Be sure to gently pack the grated cheese into your measuring cup to ensure an accurate amount. This precision guarantees the perfect cheesy balance in every bite.
• If time is truly of the essence, you can opt for finely grated Parmesan cheese, but always choose a refrigerated, high-quality version. Look for brands that offer pre-grated cheese in the dairy section, not the shelf-stable kind.
• **Avoid Parmesan cheese from a can** at all costs. These often contain anti-caking agents that prevent them from melting smoothly, leading to a gritty texture. Furthermore, canned Parmesan can be excessively salty, throwing off the delicate balance of flavors in our ramen. Its flavor profile is also generally inferior to fresh or high-quality pre-grated alternatives.
• The technique for incorporating the cheese is also vital. When tossing the hot ramen noodles with the fried cabbage mixture, it’s crucial to add the Parmesan cheese gradually, in small increments. This allows the cheese to melt evenly and coat every strand of noodle and cabbage, preventing it from clumping together and ensuring that creamy, luxurious finish we’re aiming for. Keep tossing continuously until the cheese is fully integrated and creates a silky sauce.

Essential Tips for Perfect Fried Cabbage Ramen

Crafting the perfect Fried Cabbage Ramen is simple when you follow these helpful tips. These insights will ensure your dish is bursting with flavor and boasts an ideal texture every time:

• Prep All Ingredients First: This recipe moves quickly once you start cooking, so “mise en place” (everything in its place) is key. Have your bacon diced, onion sliced, cabbage ready, and all seasonings measured out before you even turn on the heat. This ensures a smooth and stress-free cooking process.
• Cook Bacon and Onion to Perfection: Don’t rush these initial steps! Allowing the bacon to cook until golden brown and crispy, and the onions to soften and caramelize, builds the foundational flavors of the dish. The rendered bacon fat will also infuse the cabbage and noodles with incredible savory notes.
• Avoid Overcooking the Ramen Noodles: Instant ramen noodles are designed for quick cooking. They only need about two minutes in boiling water. Remember, they will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot cabbage mixture. Undercooking them slightly (by about a minute less than package directions) ensures they remain perfectly al dente and don’t become soggy.
• Season Thoughtfully and Taste as You Go: Seasoning is subjective, so taste your dish at various stages. Add salt and pepper incrementally, adjusting to your personal preference. The Parmesan cheese adds saltiness, so be mindful not to over-salt early on. A generous amount of freshly ground black pepper adds a wonderful warmth and kick, reminiscent of Cacio e Pepe.
• Use a Large Skillet: To accommodate all the ingredients without overcrowding, a spacious 12-inch (or larger) skillet is essential. Overcrowding can lead to steamed rather than fried cabbage, and prevents proper browning and flavor development. A large pan also makes tossing much easier.
• Garnish for Freshness and Zing: While optional, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a beautiful pop of color and herbaceous freshness that brightens the rich flavors. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is highly recommended if you enjoy a tangy counterpoint. The acidity cuts through the richness, creating a more vibrant and balanced dish. Consider serving with lemon wedges on the side so everyone can add to their liking.

More Irresistible Ramen Creations

If you’ve fallen in love with the versatility of ramen noodles as much as we have, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic recipes:

• Pork Ramen Stir Fry with tender pork and crisp edamame.
• General Tso Ramen, a spicy and savory twist with fresh bok choy.
• Chicken Ramen featuring succulent chicken, vibrant broccoli, and red pepper.
• Garlic Beef and Veggie Ramen, a hearty meal packed with flank steak and wholesome vegetables.
• Peanut Butter Ramen, a surprisingly quick and flavorful dish ready in just 15 minutes.

This recipe was originally inspired by the delicious Fried Cabbage Noodles from Budget Bytes.

Fried Cabbage Ramen

By Chelsea Lords

Give your ramen a flavor boost with this Fried Cabbage Ramen! Smoky bacon, savory onions, and Parmesan make it an instant favorite in your recipe collection for a quick and satisfying meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 large servings

Equipment

• Large skillet (12-inch recommended)
• Large pot

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 9 slices bacon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 medium yellow onion, cut in half and sliced as thinly as possible (about 1-1/2 cups)
• 1 (10-ounce) package angel hair coleslaw (see Note 1)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 (3-ounce) packages instant ramen noodles (9 ounces total, discard seasoning packets, see Note 2)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (see Note 3)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Dice the bacon and thinly slice the onion. Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the diced bacon and cook. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes before adding the sliced onion. Continue to cook the bacon and onion, stirring often, until the onion is tender and lightly caramelized, and the bacon is golden brown and fully cooked.
2. Add the unsalted butter to the center of the skillet. Sprinkle in the garlic powder and season everything to taste with salt and pepper (start with 1/2 teaspoon of each). Add the entire bag of coleslaw to the skillet and stir vigorously until it is tender and wilted, which should take approximately 1–2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season the water generously with 2 teaspoons of fine sea salt. Add all 3 packages of ramen noodles (discarding the seasoning packets) and cook, stirring frequently, for only 2 minutes (or 1 minute less than indicated on the package directions). Immediately drain the noodles using a colander, but do not rinse them under cold water, as this will remove the starch needed for the sauce.
4. Add the drained, cooked ramen noodles directly to the skillet with the cabbage mixture. Switch to tongs and toss all ingredients well to combine. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, about 1-1/2 tablespoons at a time, tossing continuously until the cheese is smoothly melted and creates a creamy sauce that coats the noodles and cabbage. Taste and season again if needed; we recommend adding another 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper (for a subtle heat similar to Cacio e Pepe) and sometimes an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt, depending on how salty the dish tastes. The flavors should truly “sing”!
5. Serve immediately. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Scoop generous portions onto plates and use a zester to grate a touch more fresh Parmesan on top for an extra flourish. Serve with lemon wedges on the side—a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a delicious brightness that cuts through the richness of the dish.

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Coleslaw): Angel hair coleslaw can be found in the produce section of your local grocery store, near other packaged salad mixes. For best results, choose a mix that only contains green cabbage. If you prefer to prepare your own, you will need approximately 6 cups of very thinly sliced green cabbage.

Note 2 (Ramen Noodles): Any brand of instant ramen noodles will work for this recipe. The key is to use a total of 9 ounces of noodles, which typically equates to three standard 3-ounce packages of instant ramen. Remember to discard the seasoning packets; they are not needed and will make the dish too salty if included.

Note 3 (Parmesan Cheese): For the best flavor and texture, use a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh using the small holes of a grater. Gently pack the grated cheese into your measuring cup for an accurate amount. Alternatively, you can use finely grated Parmesan cheese from the refrigerated section. Avoid canned Parmesan cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting and often has an overly salty flavor.

Storage: This dish is most delicious when served fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or chicken broth to a skillet and gently warm over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Be aware that the texture and flavor may differ slightly from the freshly made dish.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

• Serving: 1 serving
• Calories: 603 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50.5g
• Protein: 18.1g
• Fat: 36.6g
• Cholesterol: 61.6mg
• Sodium: 1302.2mg
• Potassium: 773mg
• Fiber: 2.8g
• Sugar: 3.1g