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Close-up of savory Tuna Mushroom Pasta with sautéed mushrooms and fresh parsley in a patterned bowl

Japanese-Style Tuna Mushroom Pasta

A quick and savory pasta dish featuring flaky tuna, earthy mushrooms, and an umami-rich soy-butter sauce, finished with aromatic Japanese seasonings. Perfect for a weeknight meal with an oriental twist.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Japanese
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 180 g Spaghetti or Linguine
  • 2 liters Water for cooking pasta
  • 1 tsp Salt for pasta water
For the Sauce & Stir-fry
  • 2 cans Tuna in Oil 5 oz / 140g each, drained
  • 150 g Mixed Mushrooms shiitake, cremini, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 stalks Green Onions chopped, white and green parts separated
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Mirin
  • 1 tbsp Sake optional, or substitute with more mirin or water
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Reserved Pasta Water
For Garnish
  • 1 sheet Nori Seaweed shredded
  • 1/2 tsp Shichimi Togarashi Japanese seven-spice blend
  • 1 stalk Green Onion thinly sliced, for garnish
  • 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil optional, for drizzle

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they are softened and lightly browned. Add the minced garlic and the white parts of the chopped green onions, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the drained tuna to the skillet with the mushrooms. Flake it gently with a spoon. Pour in the soy sauce, mirin, and sake (if using). Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients and let the butter melt, creating a savory sauce.
  4. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the tuna and mushroom sauce. Pour in about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors. If the sauce seems too dry, add a little more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
  5. Divide the pasta into serving bowls. Garnish generously with shredded nori seaweed, shichimi togarashi, and the green parts of the chopped green onions. Drizzle with a little toasted sesame oil if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For an added vegetable boost, you can stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking the sauce. Adjust the amount of Shichimi Togarashi to your preferred level of spice. This dish is best enjoyed fresh.