Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese (Printer View)

Macaroni, tangy kimchi, three cheeses, and sesame topping offer bold comfort with fusion flair.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 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 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground 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, thinly 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 (200°C). Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually pour in the milk, whisking steadily until the mixture is smooth and thickened—about 4 to 5 minutes. Lower heat and incorporate cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Stir gently until all the cheeses have melted.
05 - Mix in gochujang paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
06 - Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and sliced spring onions into the cheese sauce.
07 - Add drained macaroni to the sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
08 - In a bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Distribute this mixture evenly over the pasta surface.
09 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow to cool briefly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Features a unique twist with tangy kimchi and creamy cheese sauce
  • Crispy sesame-panko topping adds irresistible texture
02 -
  • Kimchi may contain fish sauce so use vegan kimchi for a vegetarian version
  • This recipe contains milk products and wheat (gluten) for those with allergies
03 -
  • For extra heat, add a pinch of chili flakes to the cheese sauce
  • Swap cheddar for Gruyère or fontina for a nuanced flavor

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