Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese (Print View)

Creamy pasta meets spicy kimchi and crunchy sesame, delivering rich fusion comfort in every bite.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 ounces elbow macaroni
02 - 1 tablespoon salt for boiling water

→ Cheese Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1.9 cups whole milk
06 - 5.3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
07 - 2.6 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
08 - 1.8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
09 - 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - Salt, to taste

→ Kimchi Mixture

14 - 5.3 ounces well-fermented kimchi, chopped
15 - 1 tablespoon kimchi juice
16 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced

→ Topping

17 - 1.8 ounces panko breadcrumbs
18 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
19 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
20 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 390°F and grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and elbow macaroni. Cook until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Sprinkle in flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute until lightly foaming.
04 - Gradually pour in whole milk while whisking until smooth and thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low, add cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Stir gently until fully melted and creamy.
06 - Mix in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season with salt to taste.
07 - Fold in chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions until evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
08 - Add drained macaroni to sauce and mix until pasta is thoroughly coated. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
09 - In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Stir to mix evenly.
10 - Sprinkle topping evenly over macaroni mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fusion of American and Korean flavors for a unique taste
  • Comforting, creamy, and easy to customize for spice or diet preferences
02 -
  • This dish contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and sesame—check ingredient labels for allergies
  • Kimchi may have fish sauce—use vegan kimchi for strict vegetarian diets
03 -
  • Sprinkle a pinch of chili flakes for extra heat
  • Swap cheddar with Gruyère or fontina for more depth

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