Save A bold & creamy comfort classic reimagined with tangy kimchi, melty cheeses, and a crunchy sesame topping. This fusion bake draws inspiration from trending flavors and Tineke Younger's viral recipe, making mac & cheese utterly unforgettable.
I first tried kimchi in mac & cheese after seeing it everywhere online and was blown away by how much depth and zing it added. Once I made it for friends, it quickly became a weeknight favorite in my house.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 300 g elbow macaroni, 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
- Cheese Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 450 ml whole milk, 150 g sharp cheddar cheese (grated), 75 g mozzarella cheese (grated), 50 g cream cheese (cubed), 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste), 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, salt (to taste)
- Kimchi Mixture: 150 g well-fermented kimchi (chopped), 1 tbsp kimchi juice, 2 spring onions (finely sliced)
- Topping: 50 g panko breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted), 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Prep & Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Grease a medium baking dish.
- Cook Macaroni:
- Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cheese Sauce Base:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add Milk:
- Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth & thickened (about 4 to 5 minutes).
- Melt Cheeses:
- Lower heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until melted.
- Spice & Season:
- Mix in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season with salt.
- Kimchi Mix-in:
- Fold in chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions.
- Combine & Assemble:
- Add drained macaroni to the sauce and mix until fully coated. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
- Sesame Topping:
- Combine panko, sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Sprinkle evenly over pasta.
- Bake & Serve:
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.
Save When my family first tasted this spicy mac, smiles turned into happy disbelief. It's now the go-to request for birthdays and cozy weekends at our place.
Required Tools
Medium saucepan, whisk, large pot, baking dish, mixing bowls, oven
Allergen Information
Contains: wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), sesame. Kimchi may contain fish sauce—choose vegan options and always check labels for allergies.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 545, Total Fat: 26 g, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 19 g
Save Serve hot straight from the oven and enjoy the fusion magic. Leftovers reheat perfectly, making tomorrow just as tasty.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of cheese works best for this dish?
Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese create a balanced, creamy base, but Gruyère or fontina are tasty swaps for depth.
- → Can I make this completely vegetarian or vegan?
Use vegan cheese, dairy substitutes, and vegan kimchi to craft a plant-based version. Check kimchi labels for fish sauce.
- → How spicy is kimchi mac & cheese?
The heat comes mainly from gochujang and kimchi. For extra kick, add chili flakes; for milder flavors, reduce gochujang.
- → What gives the topping its crunchy texture?
Panko breadcrumbs mixed with sesame seeds, butter, and sesame oil produce a golden, crisp crust after baking.
- → Can other pasta shapes be used?
While elbow macaroni is traditional, shells, rotini, or penne work equally well for holding the creamy sauce.
- → Is this fusion a main dish or a side?
Rich and hearty, it serves beautifully as a main for four, but smaller portions make a flavorful side for gatherings.