I know I probably say this a lot. However, this vegan creamy miso pasta with caramelized mushrooms is one of the greatest meals I’ve ever had. I’m not even sure there are words to describe it, but I’m gonna try! The miso is umami, salty but well balanced. The cashew cream is the perfect thing to go with the miso. Creamy and nutty. The mushrooms are sweet and crispy. All of the this combined creates a very unique and truly amazing pasta dish!
Of course this pasta is super simple, just like I like them. With very few ingredients, you will honestly be shocked by how flavorful it is. And, even though it seems very indulgent, since it is so creamy, it is really only cashews, plant milk and miso that is creating the perfect sauce. Another great component is the use of pasta water to thin it out. Adding flavor but no calories which is pretty darn cool!
There are different types of miso paste, and for this recipe I recommend a mild white miso. However, if you love yellow or red and have it on hand, go for it! I love having a container of miso paste around to use for all kinds of things. Soup, stir fry, veggies. My daughter is a huge fan of miso soup, and I can whip some homemade miso soup up in no time.
Now, let’s talk about these caramelized mushrooms! If you have never thought about it before, now is the time to give it a try. Brown the mushrooms just like you would with onions. Then add brown sugar, maple syrup or agave and continue to brown. The mushrooms get crispy, sweet and salty. I seriously can’t think of anything that would go better with this vegan creamy miso pasta.
Vegan Creamy Miso Pasta with Caramelized Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Raw cashews, soaked*
- 8 Ounces Linguine or other long pasta
- 2 Tablespoons Vegan butter, I used Earth Balance
- 16 Ounces Baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 2 teaspoons Brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1/2 Cup Non-dairy milk, unsweetened I used soy milk
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 6 Cloves Garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons White miso paste
- 1/4-1/2 Cup Reserved pasta water
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- You want to soak your cashews first, either in a bowl covered with room temperature water for 6-8 hours or overnight. Or for a faster option, cover the cashews in boiling water and soak for about an hour. Or boil the cashews for about 15-30 minutes. They will be nice and soft when ready.
- When the cashews are ready, drain them and set aside.
- Now, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain when finished, making sure to save at least 1/2 a cup of the pasta water before you drain it.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the mushrooms. Melt the vegan butter on medium high in a large cast iron or non stick skillet. Add the mushrooms.
- Sauté the mushrooms, reducing heat as needed until they are nice and brown. This will take about 10 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Then add the brown sugar or maple syrup. Toss to coat the mushrooms. Then sauté for another 2-3 minutes or until the mushrooms are caramelized in the sugar. Remove the mushrooms from the skillet and place in a bowl. Set aside.
- While the mushrooms are sautéing, make a cashew cream sauce. Add the soaked, drained cashews to a blender, then add the non-dairy milk and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend on high until completely smooth. This may take a few minutes. Set aside.
- Once you have removed the mushrooms from the skillet, heat the olive oil in the same skillet on medium high. Then add the garlic.
- Sauté the garlic, reducing heat as needed for 1-2 minutes. Then add the miso paste, and stir it into the garlic and oil. Let it smooth out and melt a bit into the skillet.
- Then add the cashew cream you made, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine the cream, garlic and miso.
- Next, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the miso cream sauce. It will be really thick at this point. So now, you want to take your reserved pasta water and pour in little at a time over the pasta and toss to combine until the sauce is the thickness you want.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with the caramelized mushrooms on top!
Notes
Nutrition
I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out delicious! The mushrooms with the miso pasta was the perfect flavoring. I will be making this again… and again… and again! Thank you so much for sharing this!
I saw this recipe posted right before my grocery trip today so I added mushrooms to my list and made it tonight. It was freaking AMAZING. I’m not a big mushroom fan but caramelizing them is a game changer. Also definitely going to be adding miso to my creamy sauces from now on. Highly recommend this recipe.
SO GOOD. Made this with shiitake mushrooms and a roasted parsnip + sage fettuccine.
Good idea on the parsnips! I knew I wanted to add something extra and they turned out great in this dish.
Hella good! My mushrooms didn’t turn out quite as gorgeous (because i used a stainless steel pan?), but the flavor was divine. I topped with vegan parm.
This was delicious! I’ve never caramelized mushrooms before – brilliant idea!!! I increased the miso but quite a bit for a stronger miso flavor! I was out of Linguine so I used Angel hair. Definitely a repeat!!!
I made this recipe tonight after seeing it on your Instagram. It’s amazing!! One of my new favourites for sure.
I’d love to make this recipe, it looks so good!! I’m allergic to cashews so if anyone has any recommendations for how much tofu I should use or any other good substitutions, let me know 🙂
I was thinking of trying hulled hemp seeds.
I’ve never seen firm tofu as a cashew substitute in a sauce, only silken. Is the amount the same volume as the cashews? Also, I just had to tell you how much I appreciate suggestions to replace cashews for those of us unlucky enough to be allergic. THANK YOU!
I can’t eat dairy, and have missed creamy pasta recipes. A lot of the ones I’ve tried end up chalky or with a weird synthetic flavor. This is amazing. So creamy, the flavors are balanced! Very easy to make. This is my new go to recipe.
This was seriously good, especially for such a simple recipe. My only recommendation is to double it 🙂
Absolutely delish!!! Easy to make and the flavour was bang on! Best cream sauce I have made.
First recipe I’ve tried by you, and it did not disappoint! This dish was so creamy and delicious, and the added caramelized mushrooms gave it that perfect sweet, but not too sweet bite. Even the non vegans in my house loved it! Well definitely be making this again
Thank you, Stacia!
Absolutely delicious I didn’t use any soy products and this pasta still came out amazing. I will definitely be making again!
I made this recipe, it’s delicious!!
Wow this recipe is amazing. Where I live I couldn’t find miso paste anywhere so I sub for soy sauce and umami seasoning and still came out fantastic.
This was the best vegan pasta dish I have ever made! Miso and cashew are an unexpectedly delicious flavor combination and I definitely will be making this again. Even the non-plant based eaters took a second helping.
This is fantastic. I added quite a bit extra miso paste–it has such a tangy and delicious flavour.
Roasted parsnips are a great addition to this dish. Thx to the commenter that mentioned it before me! I cubed them and tossed in oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and salt.
THIS WAS AMAAAAAAZING!!! SOOOOO good, thank you!
I made as directed but I simplified the steps by adding the garlic and the miso right into the pan with the caramelized mushrooms, cooked for a couple more minutes and then added the cashew sauce (made with Chobani extra creamy oat milk).. At the end, right before serving, I also added some chopped fresh baby spinach (because I had it). I loved the pop of green and the fresh flavor.
And, oh… I had just cooked up a batch of Beyond sausages for another recipe so I just used that pan of drippings to start this recipe (instead of olive oil). That added a nice extra depth of “meaty” flavor that my husband especially loved.
Definitely a winner, and a repeater. I will be making this again (and again!)
This was AWESOME! Before I took my first bite I texted my roommate to come down and get a plate. By the time she came down I had changed my mind and decided I was not sharing. Can’t wait for the leftovers!