This Gochujang Pasta combines spicy Korean Gochujang paste with cream and Parmesan cheese to coat the pasta in a smooth, warm and comforting sauce.
This is an easy meatless meal that can be prepared in about 15 minutes. Perfect for a quick and satisfying midweek dinner.
nicky’s memo
I know it looks like a mix between a bowl of pasta and a can of Heinz tomato soup, but I promise you it’s not 😆
This is a smooth, creamy, spicy sauce made with gochujang paste, lots of garlic, tomatoes, cream, and parmesan cheese. It’s quick and easy to prepare and is very, very tasty.
I like rigatoni, but you can use any pasta you like: long pasta, short pasta, dry pasta, or fresh pasta.
Eat it as is or serve it with chicken or salmon for a boost of protein.
I can’t stop making this pasta! ! ! !
📋 Gochujang pasta ingredients
***Full recipe with detailed measurements is provided in the recipe card below***
What is gochujang?
Gochujang (<– aff link) is a sweet and spicy Korean paste made from red chili peppers, sticky rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It is very thick and sticky, and the color is deep red. Be sure to choose the Korean brand (usually found in the Asian aisle) rather than the own-label glass bottles at the supermarket. I use it primarily in marinades, spicy sauces for coating chicken (see Korean Fried Chicken), and in stir-fries, but when combined with cream and Parmesan cheese, it makes for a smooth, heartwarming and comforting sauce.
shortened recipe
***Full recipe with detailed instructions is in the recipe card below***
Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, fry onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Add gochujang, tomato puree (paste in the US), and soy sauce. Add cream and Parmesan cheese, mix and heat through. Drain the pasta and add 1 cup of the pasta water to the skillet with the pasta and a pinch of butter. Stir and enjoy.
recipe tips
Reserve about 2 cups of the pasta cooking water. You will need at least one cup to add to the sauce. The starchy nature of the pasta water helps the sauce stick to the pasta and also loosens the sauce (without it the sauce would be very concentrated). If needed, you can add more pasta water to loosen it further. Adding a pinch of butter at the end adds richness, helps emulsify the sauce, and adds shine.
I like to top it with extra sprinkles or parmesan, sesame seeds, and green onions before eating.
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🍽️What to serve it with?
This dish is great on its own, but if you want some extra protein and crunch, try one or more of the following:
Make-ahead and leftover guide
We do not recommend making this recipe ahead of time, as it is best eaten immediately. You can save leftovers. Let cool, cover and refrigerate, then reheat in the microwave or in a pot with a lid over low heat until piping hot. You may need to add a little water to loosen the sauce. I also add a bit of cream and Parmesan cheese, as it loses its creaminess when reheated.
📺 See how to make
Boil the pasta in a large pot with plenty of water for 1 minute less than the package directions. Once cooked, drain the water and reserve about 500ml (or about 2 cups) of the pasta water.
400 g (14 oz) pasta or spaghetti
While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
1 tablespoon oil
Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
1 onion
Add garlic, salt and pepper and mix for 30 seconds.
5 cloves of garlic
Add gochujang, tomato puree, and soy sauce. Cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3 tablespoons gochujang paste 3 tablespoons tomato puree (American paste), 3 tablespoons low-salt soy sauce
Add Parmesan cheese and fresh cream and mix.
100 g (1 cup) Parmesan cheese, grated/shredded, 120ml (1/2 cup) double (heavy) cream
The pasta should be ready by now. Reserve about 500ml (or about 2 cups) of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
Pour half of the pasta water into the pot, add the gochujang and mix. Also add the pasta and butter to the pot.
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Add the pasta to the sauce and cook for 1 minute so that the pasta is well coated with the sauce. If you want the sauce to be thicker, add more pasta water.
Divide among 4 bowls and top with green onions, Parmesan cheese, and sesame seeds.
small bunch of green onions, grated/shredded parmesan cheese, Sesame
Nutritional information is an approximate value per serving (this recipe serves 4 people), not including toppings.
calorie: 668kcal | carbohydrates: 85g | protein: twenty fiveg | fat: twenty fiveg | Saturated fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated fats: 2g | Monounsaturated fats: 8g | Trans fat: 0.1g | cholesterol: 59mg | sodium: 1022mg | fiber: 4g | sugar: 7g
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should only be used as a rough guide.
🍲 See more spicy pasta recipes
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(Tag Translate) Creamy Spicy Sauce
