5 from 10 votes
Creamy Gochujang Pasta Recipe
Creamy Gochujang Pasta combines spicy Korean pepper paste and chili flakes with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to create a rich, spicy sauce coating al dente pasta. Garlic and optional fresh chili add depth, while reserved pasta water helps achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. Butter enriches the sauce and rounds the flavors, making for a satisfying fusion dish with a balance of heat and creaminess.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
374 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta use penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti - works with any pasta!, noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter divided (or use vegetable oil)
- 1-2 chili chopped (optional, for extra spicy, spicy
- 5-6 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 teaspoon gochugaru Korean chili flakes – sub with red pepper flakes or paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream or use milk for a lighter version – try it with coconut milk!
- ¼ cup pasta water reserved from boiling the pasta
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- gochugaru fresh grated parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley or green onion, or chili flakes, for garnish, extra
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add pasta noodles. Boil until al dente, about 8-10 minutes (check your packaging label for suggested times). Drain, but reserve ¼ cup pasta water. Reserve noodles.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan over medium heat and add the chopped chilies. Cook for 2-3 minutes to soften the chilies.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Stir in the gochujang and gochugaru and cook for 1-2 minutes to develop the flavor, stirring. The paste should darken a bit.
- Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, the reserved pasta water, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the pasta noodles and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Stir to heat through and coat all of the noodles, and melt the butter through.
- Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
- Garnish and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
374kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
47g
(16%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
48mg
(16%)
Sodium
106mg
(4%)
Potassium
214mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
735IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
67mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 374
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 374kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 48mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 106mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 214mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 735IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 67mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.