Spicy Miso Pasta

• servings: 4
• active time: 30 minutes
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Classic Spicy Miso Pasta:

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 ounces thick-cut or regular bacon, diced (about 1 cup)

3 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (or sambal oelek and ½ teaspoon chili flakes), plus more to taste

2 tablespoons blond or light miso, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons hot water

3 eggs

¾ pound dry spaghetti (or linguine or fettuccine)

2 ounces finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (about 1 ¼ cups), plus more for garnish

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½ cup sliced scallion greens, plus more for garnish

For the Vegan Spicy Miso Pasta:

4 tablespoons vegan butter

8 ounces thinly-sliced shiitake mushrooms

2 garlic cloves, grated

2 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (or sambal oelek and ½ teaspoon chili flakes), plus more to taste

2 tablespoons blond or light miso, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons hot water

⅓ cup coconut milk

¾ pound dry spaghetti (or linguine or fettuccine)

⅔ cup nutritional yeast

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½ cup sliced scallion greens, plus more for garnish

Directions

For the Classic Spicy Miso Pasta:

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a low boil, cover, and keep hot on a low burner. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet, then add the bacon and cook until crisped and the fat is rendered, 9–10 minutes. Remove from the heat and reserve.

In a bowl, whisk together the chili garlic sauce, miso, and 2 tablespoons of hot water from the boiling pot until smooth, then beat in the eggs. Cook the pasta according to box instructions until al dente and drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.

Add the pasta to the skillet with the bacon and toss to combine. Heat over medium heat until everything is nice and hot. Add the egg mixture, reduce the heat to low, and quickly toss until the eggs coat the pasta but aren’t scrambled. Add the cheese, pepper, and pasta water as desired until the sauce reaches your desired flavor and consistency. Taste, and add more chili garlic sauce if you like things spicy. Toss in the scallions. Divide among bowls, and garnish with more scallions and Parm.

For the Vegan Spicy Miso Pasta:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Sprinkle mushrooms on top and toss with 2 tablespoons vegan butter, soy sauce, and garlic. Roast, stirring once, until deep golden brown and crispy, 20–25 minutes.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Separately, in a bowl, whisk together the chili garlic sauce, miso, and 2 tablespoons of hot water from the boiling pot until smooth, then whisk in coconut milk and remaining 2 tablespoons vegan butter. Cook the pasta according to box instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.

Add the pasta and mushrooms to a large skillet. Heat over medium heat until everything is nice and hot. Add the miso mixture, reduce the heat to low, and quickly toss until the sauce coats the pasta. Add the nutritional yeast, pepper, and pasta water as desired until the sauce reaches your desired flavor and consistency. Taste, and add more chili garlic sauce if you like things spicy. Toss in the scallions. Divide among bowls, and garnish with more scallions and nutritional yeast.