Mushroom Ramen Carbonara

episode #17 of 30-minute budget meals

Okay, first piece of big news! I’m doing a Memorial Day Sale on annual memberships! Get $10 off an annual subscription if you subscribe by Monday, May 27! I’m still running my 30-minute budget meal series, plus you’ll get access to every single recipe I’ve ever posted in the past, our podcast episodes, exclusive fertility updates, etc.!

I’ve been feeling very anxious this week, I won’t lie. I think coming off of being sick last week, dealing with some small medical ailments (infected finger, chalazion on my eye), and this god-awful cloudy weather has really been testing my mental state. I haven’t been inspired to cook, which is obviously very detrimental to my work-flow, so I’ve been focused on computer work and the writing portion of my job.

Last night, I ate dinner with a friend at Bacetti, and a few of the dishes there were so delicious that now I’m inspired to recreate them at home. I’m going to go to the farmer’s market this weekend in hopes of getting some new produce to play with, which I think will be helpful.

Little things I’ve been doing to boost my happiness:

• Red Light Therapy: 10-15 minutes every other day on both the red light and NIR setting. I use a red light panel I got on Amazon

• Ordered a cute supplement organizer so I can keep track of all of my supplements I’ve been taking for fertility/egg quality

• Playing Wordle every morning. I began this habit when I was going through my miscarriage, and it feels like a safe space.

• Reading! I’ve been reading Sirens and Muses, and it’s not my favorite I’ve read recently, if I’m being honest, but I have a big list of books I’ve enjoyed the past few years. I have a couple of new books waiting for me on deck, so I’m motivated to get through this one!

RECIPE!

One of my favorite budget-friendly meals is taking a ramen packet and sprucing it up. This variation is inspired by carbonara! You prepare your ramen noodles, fry up some bacon and mushrooms, whip together some eggs and cheese, and then add it all together.

My favorite part about this dish is using the seasoning that comes in ramen packets in the carbonara sauce. This adds so much flavor and umami, and all of this takes under 30 minutes, which is the best part!

Tips for saving $$$ on cheese: Trader Joe’s or Costco!!!!

Tips for saving time: pre-sliced mushrooms!

Mushroom Ramen Carbonara

Ingredients (serves 2)