Save A bold and creamy comfort classic reimagined with tangy kimchi, melty cheeses, and a crunchy sesame topping—a viral sensation inspired by Tineke Younger.
I first made this for my friends on a cozy weeknight after seeing it all over TikTok. The combination of spicy kimchi and creamy cheese instantly won everyone over: it disappeared in minutes!
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
- Prepare the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Grease a medium baking dish.
- Cook the macaroni:
- Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce:
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened (about 4 ( 5 minutes).
- Add the cheeses and seasonings:
- Lower heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until melted. Mix in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season with salt.
- Combine with kimchi:
- Fold in the chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions.
- Mix pasta and bake:
- Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce, mix to coat. Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Prepare topping:
- Combine panko, sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Sprinkle evenly over pasta.
- Bake:
- Bake for 15 ( 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.
Save This dish gets devoured at our family gatherings, with everyone piling their plates high and requesting seconds—my uncle says it's his new comfort food!
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: use vegan kimchi if needed. Always check product labels if you have allergies.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 545, Total Fat: 26 g, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 19 g
Save Serve while hot for maximum creaminess, and finish with a sprinkle of extra spring onions for color.
Common Questions
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes! Add more gochujang or sprinkle chili flakes into the cheese sauce for extra heat, or reduce both for a milder taste.
- → What cheeses work best?
Sharp cheddar and mozzarella melt smoothly; Gruyère or fontina can be swapped in for a deeper, nuanced flavor.
- → Is it possible to make this vegan?
Absolutely. Use plant-based cheeses, milk, and butter. Substitute vegan kimchi to be fully plant-based.
- → Can I prepare this ahead?
Yes. Assemble everything and refrigerate before baking. Add topping just before baking for best crunch.
- → Does kimchi contain fish sauce?
Many kimchi varieties do, but vegan kimchi is widely available. Always check the product label for allergen safety.