Name: Creamy Mentaiko Pasta: A Flavor Explosion in 15 Minutes Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Japanese-Italian Fusion
Ingredients: 8 oz dried spaghetti; 1 clove garlic, grated; 2 pieces Karachi mentaiko (80 g); ¼ cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon Kewpie mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; ¼ cup reserved pasta water; Shredded nori; Sliced green onion; Extra Karachi mentaiko for topping

Description

Creamy Mentaiko Pasta combines the rich, savory flavors of mentaiko roe with a luscious creamy sauce, prepared effortlessly in just 15 minutes. This Japanese-Italian fusion recipe features perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a buttery, garlicky sauce enhanced with heavy cream, Kewpie mayonnaise, and soy sauce, then garnished with shredded nori and green onions for an umami-packed flavor explosion.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

8 oz dried spaghetti
1 clove garlic, grated
2 pieces Karachi mentaiko (80 g)
¼ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Kewpie mayonnaise
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon soy sauce
¼ cup reserved pasta water

Garnish

Shredded nori
Sliced green onion
Extra Karachi mentaiko for topping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of dried spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water.
Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, squeeze the mentaiko roe out of its sacs. Add melted butter, grated garlic, heavy cream, Kewpie mayonnaise, and soy sauce. Mix well until combined into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Toss Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce mixture. Gradually add the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed, tossing well to coat the spaghetti thoroughly and create a creamy consistency.
Plate and Garnish: Serve the pasta on plates and garnish generously with shredded nori, sliced green onions, and extra Karachi mentaiko on top for an added burst of flavor.

Notes

Use fresh Karachi mentaiko for the best authentic flavor, but salted pollock roe can be a substitute.
Adjust the amount of pasta water added to achieve your preferred sauce consistency.
Kewpie mayonnaise adds a subtle sweetness and creaminess; regular mayo can be substituted but will alter flavor slightly.
For a spicier kick, choose spicy mentaiko variants or add a pinch of chili flakes.
Reserve some pasta water before draining as it helps emulsify and thicken the sauce.