We Tried the Viral Miso Pasta and It’s SO Easy to Make
Updated: Dec. 06, 2023
One of the trendiest dishes for home cooks is this miso pasta that's a mashup of Asian and Italian flavors.
Over the past year, some of the most popular dishes making the rounds online have been mashups of Asian and Italian flavors and recipes. Take, for instance, the trendy San Francisco-style Vietnamese noodle dish made with spaghetti and garlic that we wrote about in December. That trend has continued into 2023. One of the most popular dishes right now is miso pasta— the #misopasta hashtag on TikTok alone has more than 2 million views!
What Is Miso Pasta?
Miso pasta is a simple pasta dish that brings an umami punch. There are only six ingredients: pasta, butter, miso, parmesan cheese, pasta water and a garnish. There are a number of variations on social media, but the best one in our opinion (and simplest) is made by TikTok creator @brekkyattiffanys. Her recipe actually based on one found in the New York Times, one of the most popular recipes of 2022.
@brekkyattiffanys insta saw it first: @brekkyattiffanys 🍝 #misopasta #pastatiktok #pastarecipe ♬ Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse
How to Make Miso Pasta
The recipe below, which serves four, is simple and flexible. If you like more umami, add a little more miso. If you want to split the butter with a little olive oil. that’s fine. If you like it more or less cheesy, tweak the grated parm measurement. Make you’ll try it with a different pasta shape instead of linguini or spaghetti. Experiment by sprinkling different garnishes, from seaweed condiments to pepper flakes. This is one of those recipes you’ll make once and then tweak as you like it the next time. And there will be a next time. You will want to make this recipe again and again.
Try: Whether you’re single or hitched, flavor-packed marry me pasta will woo everyone you make it for.
Ingredients
- 1 pound linguini, spaghetti or other long pasta
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons miso paste
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Furikake, nori, seaweed snacks, sesame seeds or red pepper flakes to garnish
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta in salted water per the directions on the box. Make sure to reserve at least a cup of the pasta water.
Step 2: Prepare the sauce
Over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the miso and stir, then add the reserved pasta water so that the miso dissolves and is fully blended. Add the parmesan cheese and stir vigorously so it does not clump.
Step 3: Combine ingredients
Add the cooked pasta and toss well until all the pasta is coated.
Step 4: Enjoy
Divide and serve topped with the garnish (or garnishes) of your choice.
Pasta Recipes from Around the World
Beef Bolognese with LinguineAfter much research, tasting and tweaking, I finally came up with this beef bolognese recipe, based on a dish from an Italian restaurant where I worked. It’s perfect for feeding a house full of guests. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Sicilian Meat SaucePeople have told me this is better than the gravy their Sicilian grandmothers used to make. But don’t tell the old generation that! —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Noodle KugelI make this traditional dish along with other Jewish specialties for an annual Hanukkah/Christmas party with our friends. -Lauren Kargen, Williamsville, New York
Ramen Noodle Stir-FryThis mildly flavored ramen noodle stir-fry combines tender strips of chicken with vegetables and popular ramen noodles. I came up with this ramen noodle recipe when I wanted a quick-fix meal for myself. Sometimes I change the vegetables or substitute ground turkey for the chicken. —Dawn Boothe, Lynn Haven, Florida
Greek Shrimp OrzoThis is one of our favorites. It's delicious, satisfying and reheats well. My husband would rather have “the orzo dish” than go out to eat. Serve it with crusty bread and salad. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico
Try pairing this dish with one of these breads from around the world!
Pressure-Cooker Tuscan Chicken PastaIf you're looking for a quick and easy dinner, this Tuscan chicken pasta is just the ticket. After the milk and cream cheese are added, the mixture will look liquidy. Just continue to cook and stir and the dish will come together. —Amber Gaines, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Chicken Satay NoodlesThis recipe is so quick and easy. It was given to me by a friend and it tastes just like chicken satay! —Salina Moore, Woodward, Oklahoma
Southwest Tuna Noodle BakeNone of my co-workers had ever tried tuna noodle casserole, and since we live near the Mexican border, they challenged me to make a Southwest version. After trying the tasty results, everyone wanted the recipe! —Sandra Crane, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Greek Pasta BakeMy mom taught me to cook, and I love creating new recipes. I developed this casserole on a cold and snowy afternoon many years ago. Tangy lemon and herbs are complemented by the subtle sweetness of cinnamon. —Carol Stevens, Basye, Virginia
Greek Salad RavioliTurn the fresh flavors of a Greek salad into a warm dish for cold winter nights. I like to make a large batch, freeze it, then simply drop ravioli into simmering water for dinner in five minutes! —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Homemade Fettuccine AlfredoThis easy Alfredo sauce is creamy, comforting and coats fettuccine noodles in fine fashion. This recipe is wonderful as is, but sometimes I like to add sliced fresh mushrooms and black olives that have been sautéed in butter and garlic. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
Spanish Noodles & Ground BeefBacon adds crunch to this comforting stovetop supper my mom used to make when I was a kid. Now I prepare it for my own family. —Kelli Jones, Perris, California
Chicken & Egg Noodle CasseroleA friend and her family went through a really difficult time, and I felt so awful for them. Bringing over this chicken noodle casserole was the one thing I could think of to help them out in a tiny way and let them know I was thinking of them. —Lin Krankel, Oxford, Michigan
Red Clam SauceThis recipe tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
German Noodle BakeThis is a recipe I serve each year for my holiday open house because everyone looks for it. Store-bought noodles can be substituted, but I prefer homemade noodles...and so does everyone else. —Kathleen Meineke, Cologne, New Jersey
Thai Lime Shrimp & NoodlesThe flavors just keep popping in this quick dinner! Use as much lime peel and chili paste as you like. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Easy Chow MeinSome years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota
Asparagus Beef Lo MeinThis springtime beef lo mein recipe is as easy as it gets. Ramen noodles make it extra fun. —Dottie Wanat, Modesto, California
Mom's Chicken TetrazziniRotisserie chicken turns this baked spaghetti into a warm, cozy meal our family craves. If we have leftover turkey, we use that, too. —Jennifer Petrino, Newnan, Georgia
Sauerkraut Hot DishWe often serve this hearty dish at family gatherings, and the men especially seem to enjoy it. My sister gave me the recipe about 15 years ago. It’s been a favorite ever since. The unusual blend of ingredients is a pleasant surprise.
—Nedra Parker, Dunbar, Wisconsin
Originally Published: March 15, 2023
