Ingredients Healthy Pasta and Noodle Recipes Healthy Pasta Recipes by Shape Healthy Spaghetti Recipes Mushroom-Miso Pasta 5.0 (4) 2 Reviews This miso pasta features mushrooms, another umami-forward ingredient that takes this quick vegetarian recipe to the next level. We use white miso, which is light and slightly sweet. Whisking the miso into the reserved cooking water makes it easier to incorporate into the pasta. By Liz Mervosh Liz Mervosh Elizabeth Mervosh is a recipe tester and developer for Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. She creates and fine-tunes recipes for brands including Southern Living, Real Simple, Food & Wine, People and EatingWell. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 18, 2023 Tested by Craig Ruff Tested by Craig Ruff Craig Ruff was first exposed to professional food service while working for an event center at the business school he was attending. There, he was responsible for maintaining the kitchen for caterers. He has been a lifelong cook, and followed his passion through culinary school and to working in restaurants. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek Active Time: 25 mins Total Time: 25 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free Nut-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 8 ounces sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms (about 5 cups) 2 tablespoons white miso 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces 3/4 teaspoon grated garlic 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions (optional) Directions Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/3 cup cooking water; drain. Return the pasta to the pot. Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring about every 2 minutes, until browned and softened, about 10 minutes. Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek Whisk miso into the reserved 1/3 cup cooking water in a small bowl until combined. Add the mushrooms, the miso-water mixture, butter, garlic, pepper and salt to the pasta in the pot; gently stir until the pasta is coated in a creamy sauce. Divide the pasta mixture among 4 bowls. Top with scallions, if desired. Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek Frequently Asked Questions Are there health benefits of using whole-wheat pasta? Whole-wheat pasta is made using whole-wheat flour, which is a whole grain. Eating whole grains has been shown to support heart health and reduce chronic inflammation. Regular pasta is made using refined white flour, which means the outer part of the wheat kernel has been removed, removing most of the kernel’s fiber and nutrients. With that said, regular pasta can fit into a healthy eating pattern, as it contains protein, fiber, iron and B vitamins, so if that’s what you prefer or all you have, feel free to use it. Are mushrooms good for you? While mushrooms might not be first on your mind as far as eating the rainbow, these earthy fungi are loaded with nutrition—including B vitamins, potassium, fiber and antioxidants. Evidence suggests that mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties, may boost gut health and are potentially a source of vitamin D—a nutrient that people are commonly deficient in. What type of mushrooms are best for miso pasta? We use fresh shiitake mushrooms for the miso pasta, but feel free to use other varieties of mushrooms like cremini, button or oyster mushrooms. When shopping for mushrooms, they should feel dry and firm to the touch, have a smooth outer appearance and be free from any dark spots. Be sure to clean the mushrooms well before using. Why do I need to reserve pasta water? When boiling pasta, starch is released into the water. We reserve some of that starchy cooking water to combine it with the miso, making it easier to incorporate into the pasta. The starch from the pasta water also acts as a thickener, which helps the sauce cling to the pasta. What is white miso and what does it taste like? Miso is a savory fermented soybean paste. It’s made from boiled or steamed soybeans fermented with koji, salt and yeast. White miso is fermented for a relatively short period of time, compared to other types of miso. It has a smooth texture and mild, sweet flavor that works well here. Look for white miso alongside refrigerated tofu in grocery stores. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Jan Valdez EatingWell.com, December 2023 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 496 Calories 21g Fat 66g Carbs 14g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 1 cup Calories 496 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 66g 24% Dietary Fiber 6g 22% Total Sugars 5g Protein 14g 27% Total Fat 21g 27% Saturated Fat 8g 42% Cholesterol 31mg 10% Vitamin A 97µg Vitamin C 0mg 0% Vitamin D 0µg Vitamin E 1mg 10% Folate 172µg Vitamin K 8µg Sodium 469mg 20% Calcium 33mg 3% Iron 3mg 19% Magnesium 75mg 18% Potassium 468mg 10% Zinc 3mg 23% Vitamin B12 0µg Omega 3 0g Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.