Miso Mushroom Pasta

Creamy, savory, and aromatic, this miso mushroom pasta is my go-to weeknight shortcut for a quick, comforting meal. A spoonful of miso (fermented soybean paste) melts into cream to create a silky base, while a mix of mushrooms adds earthy fragrance and meaty texture. Together, they build layers of umami in every bite, bringing the cozy charm of an Italian trattoria with a Japanese twist.

Why This Recipe Works

Mixed mushrooms: Using at least three types of mushrooms adds layers of flavor and brings a variety of textures to the pasta.

Miso supports mushrooms: Miso is like a supporting cast member, adding depth and umami to the dish without stealing the spotlight.

Give them time: Giving the mushrooms time to release their moisture improves their texture, concentrates their aroma, and encourages rich Maillard browning.

Finish pasta in the pan: Undercooking the pasta and finishing it in the sauce allows it to absorb flavor while releasing starch, which binds with the fat and liquid to form a stable emulsion that coats each piece of pasta.

Ingredients

Dry pasta — Any pasta shape will work, but I chose casarecce because its folds hold onto the miso cream sauce beautifully. Just adjust the cooking time to 1 minute less than the package directions.

Heavy cream — This is the main component of the sauce, giving it both body and richness. I used 42% butterfat cream, but a lower-fat option will yield a lighter sauce.

Hikari Organic Miso White — Mild Shinshu-style miso dissolves easily, offering a balanced, savory-sweet flavor. It enhances the earthy mushrooms while its gentle fruity notes provide a pleasing contrast to their deep savoriness.

Olive oil — Helps sear mushrooms evenly and forms the fat phase of the emulsion with cream and pasta starch.

Mushrooms — Using at least three varieties builds flavor and texture. This time I used equal parts meaty shiitake mushrooms, umami-packed maitake mushrooms, and delicately nutty shimeji mushrooms.

Garlic — Infuses the oil with garlicky goodness. Add it early so it infuses the mushrooms, but keep the heat moderate to prevent scorching. You can also substitute a generous sprinkle of garlic powder.

How to Prepare the Mushrooms

Once mixed, give your yuzu miso a taste. If you want more sweetness or a looser texture, stir in a little extra yuja-cheong, one spoonful at a time. 

1. Clean gently — Use a slightly damp paper towel to wipe away grit. Do not soak. Mushrooms are mostly water, so excess moisture fights browning.
2. Prepare mushrooms — Trim the mushrooms and aim for similar thickness so pieces cook at the same rate.
   • Shiitake: Trim off the tough part of the stem. Slice caps.
   • Shimeji: Trim the base to remove the growing medium. Separate into individual mushrooms by hand.
   • Maitake: Trim the base. Tear into natural fronds for more browned edges.
   • Oyster: Trim any tough base. Tear lengthwise for a meaty chew.
   • King trumpet (eryngii): Trim the base. Slice on a bias, or hand-shred into strips.
   • Button/cremini: Wipe clean, then slice.
   • Portobello: Wipe clean, scrape out dark gills if you want a paler cream sauce, cut in half, and slice.
3. Dry and stage — Spread on a tray to air dry briefly. This gets them browning faster in the pan.

How to Make Miso Mushroom Pasta

1. Start by salting a large pot of water and bringing it to a boil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the miso into the cream until smooth and free of lumps.
3. When the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook it for 1 minute less than the package directions.
4. Heat a wide pan over medium heat, then add the olive oil, garlic, and mushrooms—season with salt and pepper. TIP: Mushrooms release a lot of water, so take your time and let the liquid evaporate before they begin to brown.
5. When the pasta is almost cooked, add the miso cream mixture to the mushrooms and bring it to a boil.
6. Transfer the pasta straight from the pot into the sauce, letting a bit of the starchy cooking water come along. SCIENCE: The starch in the water helps keep the fats emulsified with the liquids to make a creamy sauce.
7. Finish cooking the pasta in the miso mushroom cream sauce, stirring constantly, until it reaches your preferred doneness. TROUBLESHOOTING: If the sauce becomes too dry, add more pasta water a little at a time. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Variations to Try

One of the joys of this miso mushroom pasta is how easily it adapts to your mood or what’s in the fridge. By swapping or adding a few ingredients, you can create new layers of flavor while keeping the same creamy, umami-rich foundation.

• Mushroom and Leek — Sauté thinly sliced leeks with the mushrooms until soft and sweet. Their mild onion flavor melts into the sauce, adding a gentle sweetness that balances the savoriness of the sauce.
• Mushroom Truffle — Finish the pasta with a small drizzle of truffle oil or shave some white or black truffles on top. The earthy, aromatic fungus enhances the mushroom profile, making it feel instantly luxurious.
• Herb and Mushroom — Stir in fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or tarragon just before serving. They add bright, aromatic top notes that lift the richness of the creamy miso sauce.

Serve it With

Set your miso mushroom pasta beside vegetables or proteins that are crisp, bright, or simply seasoned. A citrusy Yuzu Miso Dressing Salad is a refreshing contrast between bites of creamy pasta. For a green side with snap, Roasted Miso Lemon Butter Broccoli gives roasty sweetness and a hit of tangy lemon. If you want a soup to go with this, our Chicken Miso Soup is comforting without being heavy. If you want to get your proteins and veggies in, try this with our steamed Butter Miso Salmon for a simple, savory main that complements the creamy sauce.