Mentaiko Pasta

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with the bold and savory flavors of Mentaiko Pasta, a beloved Japanese-Italian fusion dish bursting with umami. This creamy spaghetti is elevated by mentaiko, or spicy cod roe, which lends a distinct briny richness to the silky sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and a splash of soy sauce for a subtle savory note. Finished with a hint of fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and delicate nori seaweed slices, this dish perfectly balances creaminess with a touch of the sea. Ready in just 30 minutes, Mentaiko Pasta is an easy yet elegant recipe that’s sure to impress – whether it’s a dinner for two or an indulgent treat for yourself. Simple, satisfying, and utterly unique, this restaurant-quality dish is destined to become a favorite in your rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 250 grams spaghetti
• 80 grams mentaiko (spicy cod roe)
• 40 grams unsalted butter
• 100 milliliters heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 30 grams grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 sheet nori seaweed (sliced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the spaghetti aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the mentaiko sauce. Cut the mentaiko sac open and scrape the roe out into a small bowl, discarding the sac.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the heavy cream and soy sauce, and stir to combine.

Step 4

Add the mentaiko to the skillet, stirring gently until the sauce is a smooth, uniform mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.

Step 5

Stir in the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese, allowing the cheese to melt fully.

Step 6

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the mentaiko sauce. Toss gently until the pasta is fully coated with sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Serve the mentaiko pasta hot, garnished with sliced nori seaweed and fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	526.3 grams (526.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1279

Total Fat 85.60g	110%
Saturated Fat 48.20g	241%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 299mg	100%
Sodium 3421mg	149%
Total Carbohydrate 80.80g	29%
Dietary Fiber 5.60g	20%
Total Sugars 2.60g
Protein 43.60g	87%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 414mg	32%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 527mg	11%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.8%

Protein: 13.8%

Carbs: 25.5%