Savory pasta, tangy kimchi, creamy melted cheese, and crunchy sesame topping. Fusion comfort food classic.
# 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 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C). Grease a medium baking dish and set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute until lightly toasted.
04 - Gradually pour in whole milk, whisking vigorously to eliminate lumps until a smooth, thickened sauce forms—about 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Lower heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until cheese is fully melted and sauce is velvety.
06 - Mix in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season with salt to taste.
07 - Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and sliced spring onions into the cheese sauce for a cohesive mixture.
08 - Add drained macaroni to cheese-kimchi mixture. Stir thoroughly until pasta is evenly coated. Transfer mixture into prepared baking dish.
09 - In a bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil until ingredients are evenly distributed.
10 - Sprinkle topping evenly over pasta. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until surface is golden and bubbling. Remove and allow to cool slightly before serving.
