Miso Mac and Cheese Recipe

Miso-Butter Mac and Cheese with Crispy Shiitake Mushrooms

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 to 6 portions

Preparation Time: 30 minutes total

Active Time: 15 minutes

Nutritional Information Per Serving

(1 of 6 servings): Calories 649, Total Fat 33 g, Saturated Fat 16 g, Carbohydrates 66 g, Dietary Fiber 4 g, Sugars 7 g, Protein 23 g, Cholesterol 64 mg, Sodium 844 mg

Ingredients

• 5 ounces shiitake mushrooms, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound small shell pasta, such as De Cecco Small Shells (No. 52)
• 6 ounces good-quality aged Parmesan cheese
• 1 stick unsalted butter, divided and cubed
• 1/4 cup white miso paste
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 cup whole milk
• Fresh chives, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
2. Toss mushrooms with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to ensure they crisp rather than steam. Roast for 10-15 minutes, flip, then continue roasting until golden and crispy, about 10 more minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
4. Using a high-powered blender or food processor, finely grind the Parmesan cheese into powder.
5. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt half of the butter. Stir in the miso paste and brown sugar until you form a smooth paste. Slowly add the milk in a steady stream while whisking continuously to emulsify the butter and miso with the milk. Add the remaining butter cubes one by one, whisking until each piece melts before adding the next.
6. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Stir the pasta into the saucepan with the miso sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water, then sprinkle in a handful of the grated Parmesan. Alternate between adding pasta water and cheese to ensure the sauce becomes thick and the cheese melts smoothly.
7. Serve the mac and cheese on plates topped with additional Parmesan, the crispy shiitake mushrooms, and chopped chives. Enjoy!