Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese (Print)

Creamy, spicy comfort with melty cheese and tangy kimchi. A fusion favorite topped with sesame crunch.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.6 oz 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 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
07 - 2.6 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
08 - 1.8 oz 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 black pepper
13 - Salt, to taste

→ Kimchi Mixture

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

→ Topping

17 - 1.8 oz 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. Lightly grease a medium baking dish and set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to form a roux.
04 - Slowly pour in milk, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken, about 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese, mixing until fully melted and integrated.
06 - Blend in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Adjust with salt as needed.
07 - Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions into the cheese sauce, mixing thoroughly.
08 - Add drained macaroni to the sauce, stirring gently to ensure even coating. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
09 - In a mixing bowl, combine panko, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Distribute topping evenly over pasta.
10 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until top is golden and casserole is bubbling. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fusion of spicy Korean flavors with classic mac & cheese
  • Easy to adapt for vegetarian or vegan diets
02 -
  • Kimchi may contain fish sauce, so check labels for vegan options
  • Pasta should be cooked just al dente to avoid mushy results after baking
03 -
  • For extra heat, add a pinch of chili flakes to the cheese sauce
  • Swap cheddar for Gruyère or fontina for a nuanced flavor twist

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