Miso Butter Pastina

When I need something warm, quick, and full of flavor, I always reach for this Miso Butter Pastina. It reminds me of my mom’s homemade congee but with a twist pasta! This dish takes just 10 minutes to make and is packed with cozy ingredients like miso, ginger, and lots of fried garlic. Plus, I’m using Barilla® Classic Pastina, which is tiny, adorable, and always cooks up just right. Let’s get into the cozy magic.

Method

1. Boil the Liquid

Start by placing a medium-sized pot on your stovetop over high heat. Pour in 4 cups of water or, for even more flavor, use vegetable broth. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil. This step creates the perfect base for the pastina to soak up all that savory goodness.

2. Add Dry Ingredients

Once the liquid is boiling, add in 1 cup of Barilla® Classic Pastina, followed by ½ teaspoon of ginger powder and ½ teaspoon of onion powder. These spices give the dish a warm, comforting flavor that balances beautifully with the creamy miso and butter later on.

3. Simmer and Stir

Turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir the pot gently but regularly to prevent the pastina from sticking to the bottom. Let it simmer slowly for about 5–7 minutes, or until the pastina is just al dente. You’ll notice the pasta absorbing most of the liquid about 80% should be gone. The texture should be soft but still slightly loose and creamy.

4. Incorporate Butter and Miso

Once the pastina reaches that perfect consistency, remove the pot from the heat. While it’s still hot, stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of white miso paste. Mix until both are completely melted and the dish becomes creamy and smooth. This step is where the deep umami flavor and rich texture really come to life.

5. Season to Taste

Now it’s time to personalize. Add salt and pepper to your liking, but be cautious with the salt miso is naturally salty, so it’s best to taste first before adding more.

6. Garnish and Serve

Ladle the pastina into bowls. Top with crispy fried garlic for crunch, fresh sliced scallions for brightness, and a quick squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy lift. These toppings add flavor, texture, and a pop of color that makes this bowl look as good as it tastes.

Necessary Tools 

  • Medium-sized pot
  • Stirring spoon
  • Measuring spoons
  • Ladle (for serving)
  • Knife and cutting board (for scallions)

Miso Butter Pastina

Recipe by Justin SelkCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Barilla® Classic Pastina

  • 4 cups water (or vegetable broth for extra flavor)

  • ½ tsp ginger powder

  • ½ tsp onion powder

  • 2 tbsp white miso paste

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Fried garlic (for topping)

  • Sliced scallions (for topping)

  • Lemon juice (a quick squeeze when serving)

Directions

  • In a medium pot, bring the water or broth to a boil.
  • Add your pastina, ginger powder, and onion powder.
  • Turn the heat down to medium-low and stir often. Let the pastina simmer until it’s soft but not mushy about 80% of the liquid should be soaked up.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the butter and miso paste until creamy and smooth.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Spoon into bowls and top with crispy fried garlic, fresh scallions, and a little squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Time to enjoy your cozy bowl of comfort!

Notes

  • Don’t walk away while the pastina is cooking. It cooks fast and loves to stick to the bottom.
  • Stir often to keep the texture creamy and to avoid clumps.
  • Wait to add salt until after the miso goes in miso is already salty!
  • Add the miso off heat so it doesn’t lose its flavor or nutrients.

Serving Suggestions 

  • Add a soft-boiled egg on top for extra protein.
  • Serve with steamed veggies like bok choy or spinach on the side.
  • For a spicy twist, sprinkle on some chili crisp or red pepper flakes.
  • Great for a light lunch or cozy dinner on chilly nights.

Fun Fact 

Pastina means “little pasta” in Italian! These tiny stars are loved by kids and adults alike. It’s often the first pasta Italian kids eat now we’re just making it fancy and grown-up with butter and miso!

Conclusion 

This Miso Butter Pastina is like a bowl full of cozy memories and bold flavor. It’s easy, fast, and comforting just what I need when I’m short on time but craving something special. With Barilla® Classic Pastina, it turns into a dish you’ll want to make on repeat. So grab your pot and your favorite bowl… cozy season is officially on.

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