This 30-Minute Miso Mushroom Bucatini is a comforting, umami-packed pasta dish featuring a creamy miso sauce paired with earthy mushrooms. It’s quick to make, and the flavor combination is perfectly balanced, with the richness of butter, the creaminess of heavy cream, and the earthiness of the mushrooms. A great way to embrace fall flavors in a simple yet sophisticated dish!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried bucatini

• 1.5 lb mixed mushrooms (shiitake, maitake, chanterelle, oyster), chopped or pulled apart

• 1/4 cup yellow miso paste

• 2 tbsp minced garlic

• 1/2 cup butter

• 2 cups pasta water

• 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 scallion, finely chopped

• 4 tsp olive oil

• Salt and cracked black pepper

Directions

1. Cook the Mushrooms:

   • Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms (do not add oil) and sauté for about 5 minutes until they develop brown charring. Do not overcrowd the pan, so cook in batches if necessary.

   • Once the mushrooms are golden and nearly done, add 1-2 tsp olive oil, season with salt and black pepper, and sauté for another minute. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

2. Cook the Pasta:

   • Bring a large pot of water to boil, then season generously with kosher salt. Cook the bucatini until al dente. Reserve about 2 cups of pasta water before draining.

3. Make the Miso Mushroom Sauce:

   • In a cup, whisk the yellow miso paste with 1 cup of the reserved pasta water until smooth.

   • In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.

   • Add the sautéed mushrooms back into the skillet, followed by the miso-pasta water mixture and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

4. Finish the Dish:

   • Stir in the grated pecorino and parmesan until melted into the sauce.

   • Add the cooked bucatini to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce thickens too much, add more reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.

5. Serve:

   • Plate the pasta, garnish with chopped scallions, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Nutrients (Estimated per serving, makes 4 servings)

• Calories: ~550 kcal

• Carbohydrates: ~60g

• Protein: ~15g

• Fat: ~28g

• Saturated Fat: ~15g

• Fiber: ~3g

Why Miso and Mushrooms Are the Perfect Pairing

The combination of miso and mushrooms is a classic one for a reason. Miso, made from fermented soybeans, is rich in umami—one of the five basic tastes that gives food a savory depth. When mixed with the earthy flavors of mushrooms, which are also packed with umami, the result is a flavor explosion that feels both familiar and exciting.

Mushrooms, particularly varieties like shiitake, maitake, and oyster, are perfect for soaking up the rich, umami-filled miso sauce. These mushrooms also have a meaty texture, which allows them to stand up to the creamy sauce and create a hearty, satisfying dish. The combination of miso and mushrooms works together to give the pasta a deep, complex flavor without being overwhelming.

Bucatini: The Ideal Pasta for This Dish

Bucatini is a thick, spaghetti-like pasta with a hollow center, which makes it ideal for holding onto sauces. Its shape allows the miso sauce to cling to the strands of pasta, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Bucatini is a hearty pasta, making it perfect for pairing with rich sauces like the miso mushroom sauce in this dish.

The hollow center of the bucatini also helps the pasta absorb the creamy sauce, creating an ideal texture. It’s a satisfying pasta that balances perfectly with the richness of the sauce and the earthiness of the mushrooms.

A Quick and Easy Recipe for Busy Nights

One of the best things about this Miso Mushroom Bucatini is how quickly it comes together. In just 30 minutes, you can create a gourmet meal that feels like it’s been slow-cooked for hours. Here’s why:

• The mushrooms: By sautéing the mushrooms in batches to achieve a nice golden-brown char, you’re developing intense flavors quickly. No need for long simmering—just a few minutes of sautéing on high heat gives the mushrooms their deep, savory flavor.

• The miso sauce: The miso paste is whisked with pasta water to create a quick, smooth sauce that’s ready in just a few minutes. Once added to the skillet with the mushrooms and cream, the sauce thickens almost immediately, giving you a velvety texture that coats the pasta beautifully.

• The bucatini: Bucatini cooks quickly, and since it’s paired with the sauce at the end, the whole dish comes together in one final toss.

With everything coming together in under 30 minutes, this dish is ideal for busy evenings when you want something comforting but don’t have the time for a long, complex meal.

The Perfect Balance of Richness and Freshness

This dish is rich, but not heavy. The combination of butter, heavy cream, and miso creates a luxurious sauce, but the bright, fresh scallions provide a touch of freshness that lightens the overall dish. The miso paste, with its salty, slightly tangy flavor, provides an excellent balance to the creamy elements, ensuring that the dish isn’t overly rich.

Additionally, the fresh herbs—mint and parsley—add a burst of brightness that perfectly complements the earthiness of the mushrooms and the richness of the sauce. These herbs help to lift the flavors and add an aromatic, fresh element to each bite.

How to Serve Miso Mushroom Bucatini

This 30-Minute Miso Mushroom Bucatini is perfect as a main course, and it’s versatile enough to be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for pairing:

• With a Simple Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette would be a perfect contrast to the richness of the pasta. The acidity from the lemon will balance out the creaminess of the sauce and help cut through the richness.

• With Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or carrots pair beautifully with the earthy mushrooms in the pasta. The sweetness from the roasted veggies complements the savory, umami flavor of the sauce.

• With Garlic Bread: For an extra indulgent meal, serve the bucatini with a side of garlic bread. The crispy, buttery bread will soak up any leftover sauce, creating a satisfying combination.

• With Grilled Meat or Tofu: For a more substantial meal, you can serve the pasta alongside grilled chicken, steak, or tofu. The savory richness of the pasta pairs well with the charred flavors of grilled meats or vegetables.

Why This Dish is Perfect for Fall

With its rich flavors and earthy mushrooms, this Miso Mushroom Bucatini is the perfect dish for fall. As the weather cools, we naturally crave comforting, hearty meals, and this pasta delivers just that. The combination of warm spices like cardamom and the deep umami of the mushrooms makes this dish feel like a cozy, autumnal treat.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a dinner, this dish captures the essence of fall with its earthy, comforting flavors. It’s a great way to embrace the season without spending hours in the kitchen, and the fresh herbs and scallions add a touch of brightness that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.

A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion

Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, 30-Minute Miso Mushroom Bucatini is a dish that’s sure to impress. It’s simple enough for a busy night but sophisticated enough for a dinner party. The balance of flavors—sweet, savory, and umami—makes it a crowd-pleaser, and the creamy, hearty texture is perfect for colder months.

It’s a fantastic way to enjoy mushrooms in a new way, and the richness of the sauce makes this dish feel indulgent without being overwhelming. Plus, it’s quick, easy, and customizable, allowing you to experiment with different types of mushrooms or add in extra veggies or proteins.

Conclusion: A Flavorful, Quick, and Comforting Meal

30-Minute Miso Mushroom Bucatini is the perfect weeknight meal—quick to make, comforting, and packed with umami flavor. With its rich miso sauce, tender mushrooms, and creamy pasta, this dish is a satisfying and hearty option for fall dinners. The balance of flavors, the simple ingredients, and the easy preparation make it a must-try recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.

So the next time you’re craving a comforting pasta dish with a bit of a twist, try this Miso Mushroom Bucatini—it’s the perfect way to embrace fall flavors in a sophisticated yet simple meal.