Description
Miso Carbonara offers a unique and creamy twist on the classic Italian comfort dish by incorporating savory miso paste. This recipe combines crispy bacon, spicy red chili flakes, and a rich Parmigiano Reggiano and egg sauce to create a perfectly balanced and flavorful pasta dish in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti (cooked)
Bacon and Seasoning
- 4 slices thick bacon (cut into small pieces)
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
- 1/2 cup hot reserved pasta water
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (plus more for garnish)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped green parsley
Instructions
- Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the spaghetti for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of hot pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the bacon pieces. Cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove excess fat, leaving just one tablespoon in the pan.
- Add Chili Flakes: Toss the red chili flakes into the skillet with the bacon and immediately turn off the heat. Allow the residual warmth to release their flavor for about 30 seconds.
- Make Sauce Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the miso paste, whole eggs, egg yolks, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate Pasta Water: Gradually drizzle in the reserved hot pasta water while stirring continuously to create a velvety, smooth sauce consistency.
- Toss Pasta in Bacon Fat: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet containing the bacon fat. Toss the pasta thoroughly to ensure an even coating.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the creamy egg and miso mixture over the pasta in the skillet. Toss quickly and continuously until evenly combined and the sauce clings to the noodles.
- Add Bacon: Return the crispy bacon pieces to the skillet, mixing them evenly through the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling extra Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and finely chopped parsley over the top. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Be sure to toss the pasta quickly when adding the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for optimal flavor.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red chili flakes to taste.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately after preparation.
