1. Main
  2. Dishes
  3. Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Featured in: Family Meals

This vibrant baked dish pairs tangy, fermented kimchi with a blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese for irresistible creaminess and bold flavor. Gochujang and Dijon add mellow heat and depth, while a crunchy topping of panko and toasted sesame seeds gives texture and nutty finish. The macaroni is coated in the rich sauce with chopped kimchi throughout, then baked until bubbly and golden. Customize the level of heat and use vegan alternatives if desired. Enjoy a modern comfort food with a distinctly Korean-American fusion twist.

Save Share Email Print Skip to recipe
Updated on Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:51:00 GMT
Creamy Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese topped with crunchy sesame and fresh spring onions. Save
Creamy Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese topped with crunchy sesame and fresh spring onions. | cinnamonglow.com

A bold and creamy comfort classic reimagined with tangy kimchi, melty cheeses, and a crunchy sesame topping—a viral sensation inspired by Tineke Younger.

I first tried this spicy kimchi mac & cheese after seeing it take over my social feeds. The savory cheese sauce with the punchy kimchi twist instantly won over my friends at dinner, and now it is on regular rotation in my kitchen.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 300 g elbow macaroni, 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
  • Cheese Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 450 ml whole milk, 150 g sharp cheddar cheese (grated), 75 g mozzarella cheese (grated), 50 g cream cheese (cubed), 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, salt (to taste)
  • Kimchi Mixture: 150 g well-fermented kimchi (chopped), 1 tbsp kimchi juice, 2 spring onions (finely sliced)
  • Topping: 50 g panko breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted), 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

Prepare Oven & Dish:
Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Grease a medium baking dish.
Cook Pasta:
Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened (about 4–5 minutes). Lower heat, stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until melted. Mix in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to taste.
Add Kimchi Mixture:
Fold in chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions.
Combine Pasta & Sauce:
Add drained macaroni to the sauce, mix until fully coated. Pour into prepared baking dish.
Prepare & Add Topping:
Combine panko, sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
Bake:
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.
Baked Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, featuring melted cheese and tangy kimchi flavor. Save
Baked Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, featuring melted cheese and tangy kimchi flavor. | cinnamonglow.com

We enjoyed this as a Sunday night treat that everyone could customize—my kids like less spice, so they top theirs with extra cheese!

Required Tools

Medium saucepan, whisk, large pot, baking dish, mixing bowls, oven.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), sesame. If sensitive, check kimchi labels for fish sauce.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 545, Total Fat: 26 g, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 19 g

Delicious Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, ideal for comforting family dinners or potlucks. Save
Delicious Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, ideal for comforting family dinners or potlucks. | cinnamonglow.com

Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra spring onion for crunch. This dish is excellent for sharing and reheats well the next day.

Recipe FAQ Section

→ What kind of kimchi works best?

Well-fermented, tangy kimchi is ideal. Ensure it's chopped small so it mixes evenly throughout the dish.

→ How spicy is this dish?

The gochujang and kimchi provide gentle heat, but you can add more chili flakes for extra spiciness.

→ Can I make this without dairy?

Yes, substitute plant-based cheese, milk, and butter for a vegan option. Verify kimchi is vegan as well.

→ What pasta shape is recommended?

Elbow macaroni ensures plenty of sauce clings to each bite, but any small pasta shape works well.

→ Is the sesame topping necessary?

The sesame panko topping adds crunch and nutty aroma, but can be omitted or swapped for plain breadcrumbs.

→ Can I prepare ahead?

Yes, assemble ahead and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for a fresh, crispy top.

Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Tangy kimchi, creamy cheeses, and sesame crunch create a bold, comforting fusion sure to impress.

Prep duration
15 min
Time to cook
30 min
Complete duration
45 min
Created by Hannah Collins

Classification Family Meals

Skill level Medium

Cultural Origin Fusion (American-Korean)

Output 4 Portion count

Dietary considerations Meat-free

Components

Pasta

01 10.5 oz elbow macaroni
02 1 tbsp salt, for boiling water

Cheese Sauce

01 2 tbsp unsalted butter
02 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
03 1.9 cups whole milk
04 5.3 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
05 2.6 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
06 1.8 oz cream cheese, cubed
07 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
08 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 Salt, to taste

Kimchi Mixture

01 5.3 oz well-fermented kimchi, chopped
02 1 tbsp kimchi juice
03 2 spring onions, finely sliced

Topping

01 1.8 oz panko breadcrumbs
02 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
03 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
04 1 tsp sesame oil

Method

Phase 01

Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

Phase 02

Cook Macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

Phase 03

Prepare Roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, add flour, and whisk for 1 minute.

Phase 04

Form Cheese Sauce: Gradually pour in milk while whisking until mixture is smooth and thickened, about 4–5 minutes.

Phase 05

Add Cheese: On low heat, stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until thoroughly melted.

Phase 06

Season Sauce: Blend gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper into the sauce. Adjust salt to taste.

Phase 07

Incorporate Kimchi Mixture: Gently fold in chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions until evenly distributed.

Phase 08

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring all pasta is fully coated. Transfer to prepared baking dish.

Phase 09

Prepare Sesame Topping: Mix panko, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil in a bowl. Sprinkle topping evenly over the macaroni.

Phase 10

Bake: Bake in preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Let cool for several minutes before serving.

Tools needed

  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Large pot
  • Baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Oven

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare professional if you're uncertain about any ingredients.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), sesame.
  • Check kimchi ingredients for potential fish sauce if vegan or allergic; always review product labels.

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 545
  • Fats: 26 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Protein Content: 19 g