Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese (Print Version)

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

# Components:

→ Pasta

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

→ Cheese Sauce

03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 tbsp 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 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
13 - Salt, to taste

→ Kimchi Mixture

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

→ Topping

17 - 1.8 oz panko breadcrumbs
18 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
19 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
20 - 1 tsp sesame oil

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, add flour, and whisk for 1 minute.
04 - Gradually pour in milk while whisking until mixture is smooth and thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
05 - On low heat, stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until thoroughly melted.
06 - Blend gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper into the sauce. Adjust salt to taste.
07 - Gently fold in chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions until evenly distributed.
08 - Stir drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring all pasta is fully coated. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
09 - Mix panko, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil in a bowl. Sprinkle topping evenly over the macaroni.
10 - Bake in preheated oven for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Let cool for several minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fusion of American and Korean flavors
  • Crunchy, spicy, and ultra-creamy in every bite
02 -
  • Kimchi can contain fish sauce—use vegan kimchi for a vegetarian dish.
  • This recipe contains dairy, wheat, and sesame; always verify ingredient labels for allergy safety.
03 -
  • For extra heat, add chili flakes to the cheese sauce before baking.
  • Swap cheddar for Gruyère or fontina for a deeper, nutty flavor.

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