Kimchi Mac and Cheese (Printable)

Bold fusion combining creamy cheddar macaroni with spicy kimchi for a unique twist on classic comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
06 - ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
07 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp salt

→ Kimchi Mixture

10 - 1 cup kimchi, chopped and well-drained
11 - 1 tbsp kimchi juice
12 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
13 - 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)

→ Topping

14 - ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a medium baking dish
02 - Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside
03 - Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute
04 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened, about 4-5 minutes
05 - Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, mustard, pepper, and salt until melted and smooth
06 - Fold in cooked macaroni, chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, spring onions, and gochujang until well mixed
07 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish
08 - Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sesame seeds, then sprinkle evenly over the macaroni
09 - Bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbling
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tangy heat cuts through all that rich cheese in the most incredible way
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like something you would get at a fusion restaurant
02 -
  • Drain your kimchi really well, too much liquid will make your sauce separate
  • The cheese sauce can seize if you turn the heat up too high, keep it gentle
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese, the pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that make sauce grainy
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly into the sauce

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