Step aside butter pasta; it’s time for miso butter pasta to enter the room. Miso adds tons of dimension to plain pasta with no extra effort. The flavor is just so unique yet so versatile (which means it’s destined for more than just miso soup!). So, when I tried miso pasta in a favorite restaurant, I obviously was going to recreate it at home. So, let’s get that water boiling so we can start eating this creamy miso pasta!
you don’t need much
Besides the miso, I bet you already have everything on this list already in the pantry!
Bucatini Pasta: This type of pasta is very similar to spaghetti pasta. Feel free to use any type of pasta you like or have on hand. Butter and Miso Paste: Unsalted butter is a must for this miso butter sauce since miso is already quite salty. For this recipe, I recommend using white miso paste because it is slightly sweeter and much milder (don’t have miso? Here are my favorite miso substitutes). Black Pepper and Parmesan: Black pepper is a must for creamy pasta to contrast with its richness. I prefer to use freshly grated parmesan, but pre-grated will work too!
How to make Miso Pasta
Making this miso pasta is stupidly easy. Just mix, mix, and mix! Step 1: Cook The PastaBring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini according to instructions on the package until al dente. When finished, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, and drain the rest. Step 2: Make The SauceCombine butter, miso, and pepper in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook until butter is melted and pepper is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Step 3: Assemble The PastaAfter draining the pasta and dumping it back into the large pot, add 1 cup of reserved pasta water, sauce, and parmesan.
Pasta Additions
While this recipe has limited ingredients, the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can add! Try adding roasted garlic, red chili flakes, or veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant! You can also add a protein like crispy chickpeas or lemon pepper tofu.
Why this Recipe Works
This recipe may seem like an impossible feat, but here is exactly why it is just perfect!
Miso is packed with umami, meaning you need fewer ingredients to make a killer sauce. Bucatini is a fun noodle that’s like spaghetti (but thicker), making for a slight twist on a classic pasta dish. Pasta water is gold and allows you to make this super creamy sauce without adding cream. It emulsifies into a luscious sauce when mixed with miso and parmesan.
