Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese (Print Version)

Creamy macaroni blended with melty cheeses, tangy kimchi, and a crisp sesame topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and reserve.
03 - In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute to create a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually add milk, whisking continuously until smooth and thick—approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat and stir in sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Mix until fully melted and silky.
06 - Blend in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning with salt.
07 - Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and sliced spring onions into cheese sauce.
08 - Add drained macaroni to sauce. Mix thoroughly so all pasta is well coated. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
09 - In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Stir until evenly combined.
10 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly across the top of macaroni.
11 - Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until topping is golden and cheese is bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Unique fusion of American and Korean flavors
  • Easy to customize for more heat or vegan options
02 -
  • This dish contains wheat, dairy, and sesame; check kimchi label for fish sauce to ensure vegetarian.
  • Calories per serving: 545; Nutrition includes 26 g fat, 57 g carbs, 19 g protein.
03 -
  • Add chili flakes to the cheese sauce for extra heat.
  • Swap cheddar for Gruyère or fontina for a more nuanced flavor profile.

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