Miso Garlic-Butter Shrimp Spaghetti
If garlic noodles are on the menu, I’m probably ordering them. I love that buttery, garlicky, sweet-savory flavor, so I turned that craving into an easy dinner at home with this Miso Garlic-Butter Shrimp Spaghetti.
That’s really what Diet & Fries is about for me – enjoying the foods I actually love while finding simple ways to add a little more balance. Adding more fiber is one of those things I try to work into my meals when I can, without making dinner feel like “diet food.”
For this recipe, I used Carbe Diem Spaghetti, a real wheat-based pasta with 24g of fiber per serving and 55% fewer net carbs than the leading traditional pasta brand.* You still get that comforting pasta-night moment, with an easy way to work more fiber into your meal.
And if you want to try it yourself, look for Carbe Diem at Target or Amazon.
Why You’ll Love This Miso Garlic-Butter Shrimp Pasta
This recipe gives me everything I love about restaurant garlic noodles without having to order takeout.
The miso adds savory umami flavor, the butter makes the noodles rich and glossy, and the honey or brown sugar adds just enough sweetness to balance everything out.
It’s also an easy way to add more fiber into a meal without completely changing what you’re eating. You still get the pasta, buttery sauce, and shrimp — just with a little more balance built in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 8 oz Carbe Diem Spaghetti
- 10 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5–6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ tablespoons white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar
- ⅓–½ cup reserved pasta water
- Sliced scallions, for finishing
- Chili crisp, optional
How to Make Miso Garlic-Butter Shrimp Spaghetti
Cook the Carbe Diem Spaghetti according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp and cook for about 1–2 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
Lower the heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Cook just until fragrant.
In a small bowl, whisk together the white miso, soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, and ¼ cup of the warm reserved pasta water.
Pour the miso mixture into the skillet and stir until smooth.
Add the cooked spaghetti and toss until every strand is glossy and coated. Add more reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed.
Return the shrimp to the skillet and gently toss everything together.
Finish with sliced scallions and a little chili crisp if you like extra heat.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Tips for the Best Glossy Pasta Sauce
Save your pasta water. The starchy pasta water helps the butter and miso come together into a silky sauce that clings to the noodles.
Don’t overcook the shrimp. Once the shrimp are pink and opaque, remove them from the pan. They’ll warm up again when you add them back to the pasta.
Keep the garlic from browning. You want it fragrant and buttery, not bitter.
Add pasta water gradually. Start with ¼ cup and add more as needed until the sauce is glossy.
Easy Substitutions and Add-Ins
You can use honey or brown sugar in this recipe. Both add just enough sweetness to balance the savory miso and soy sauce.
If you like spice, finish the pasta with chili crisp.
You can also swap the shrimp for chicken or add vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, or bok choy.
What to Serve With Miso Garlic-Butter Shrimp Pasta
This pasta is satisfying on its own, but you can serve it with a simple cucumber salad, steamed vegetables, roasted broccoli, or a fresh green salad.
And honestly, sometimes all it needs is a bowl, a fork, and a cozy night at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of miso should I use?
I recommend white miso paste. It has a milder, slightly sweet flavor that works really well with butter, garlic, and shrimp.
Can I use brown sugar instead of honey?
Yes. Use 1 teaspoon of either honey or brown sugar.
Can I make this pasta spicy?
Definitely. Add chili crisp when serving or mix a little into the sauce.
Can I make this without shrimp?
Yes. Substitute chicken or leave the protein out and add vegetables instead.
Easy Pasta Night at Home
This Miso Garlic-Butter Shrimp Spaghetti is exactly the kind of dinner I love: easy enough for a weeknight but satisfying when I’m craving something that feels like takeout.
That’s Diet & Fries to me — keep the foods you love and look for simple ways to add a little more balance, like working more fiber into your meals.
Can your takeout do this?
Want to try it? Look for Carbe Diem at Target and save this recipe for your next pasta night.
16g net carbs = 40g carbohydrates – 24g dietary fiber vs. leading brand 39g net carbs = 42g carbohydrates – 3g dietary fiber.
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