Description
Creamy Mentaiko Pasta is a quick and flavorful Japanese-Italian fusion dish that combines the briny richness of mentaiko roe with a velvety sauce made from heavy cream, butter, and Kewpie mayonnaise. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe delivers a luxurious and savory pasta experience, garnished with shredded nori and green onions for an authentic touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Dried spaghetti
Sauce
- 2 pieces Karachi mentaiko (80 g)
- 1 clove Garlic (grated)
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Kewpie mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- ¼ cup Pasta water (reserved from cooking spaghetti)
Garnish
- Shredded nori
- Green onion (sliced)
- Additional Karachi mentaiko for topping
Instructions
- Boil water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil to prepare for cooking the pasta.
- Cook spaghetti: Add 8 oz of dried spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta brand. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare sauce: While the pasta cooks, squeeze the mentaiko roe out of its sac into a bowl. Add the melted butter, grated garlic, heavy cream, Kewpie mayonnaise, and soy sauce. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained spaghetti directly into the bowl with the sauce. Pour in the reserved pasta water little by little and toss until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Plate and garnish: Divide the creamy mentaiko pasta between plates. Garnish with shredded nori, sliced green onions, and an extra spoonful of mentaiko on top for an added burst of flavor.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the spaghetti; al dente texture is ideal for the best sauce absorption.
- If mentaiko is not available, tarako roe can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be milder.
- Adjust the amount of pasta water to achieve desired sauce creaminess.
- Kewpie mayonnaise adds sweetness and depth; regular mayonnaise may change the flavor profile.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and fresh flavors.
