5 from 12 votes
Kimchi Mac & Cheese
Kimchi Mac & Cheese combines cooked elbow macaroni with a spicy, tangy cheese sauce made creamy by whole milk and melted cheese. The sauce features a savory blend of gochujang and chopped kimchi, enriched with sautéed onion, garlic, and a flour roux, creating a unique fusion of Korean flavors with classic comfort food. The dish is garnished optionally with fresh cilantro and green onions, lending a fresh contrast to the rich and spicy sauce that coats the tender pasta.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
708 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine:
Asian, Korean
Ingredients
- ½ lb elbow macaroni cooked according to package instructions, or cavatappi
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
- ½ white onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon gochujang Korean chili pepper paste
- 2 ½ C milk whole
- ½ tsp salt or to taste, sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ C kimchi chopped, along with juice
- 2 ½ C cheese shredded
Garnish: optional
- cilantro chopped
- green onion chopped
Instructions
- Boil the elbow macaroni or pasta according to the package directions, or to al dente and drain. (Do not rinse pasta).
- In a large pot or pan over medium heat, add in 2 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter.
- Add in the onion and garlic and sauté until slightly softened.
- Next, add in the flour and stir until the roux (flour-oil/butter paste) mixture turns golden in color.
- Add in the chopped kimchi and continue to cook, another 1-2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together gochujang and whole milk.
- Pour in the gochujang and milk mixture into the pot.
- Keep stirring until there are no lumps.
- Once bubbling, reduce the heat and add in the garlic powder, salt (to taste), black pepper, cheese, and stir together with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
- Dump the drained macaroni pasta into the gochujang-kimchi-cheese sauce and coat the pasta with the sauce.
- Remove from heat.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
708kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Cholesterol
94mg
(31%)
Sodium
631mg
(26%)
Potassium
513mg
(11%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
1040IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
752mg
(75%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 708
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 708kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 94mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 631mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 513mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 1040IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 752mg | 75% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.