Melty cheeses, tangy kimchi, and a crispy topping combine in this bold, creamy macaroni dish.
# 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 - 5.25 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 ground 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 - 1.75 oz panko breadcrumbs
18 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
19 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
20 - 1 tsp sesame oil
# Method Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 390°F and grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute.
04 - Gradually pour in milk, whisking to create a smooth, thickened sauce, about 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat and incorporate cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese, stirring until fully melted.
06 - Stir in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Adjust salt to taste.
07 - Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and sliced spring onions into the cheese sauce.
08 - Add drained macaroni to the sauce, mixing until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
09 - In a bowl, mix panko, sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pasta.
10 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is golden and the dish is bubbling. Cool slightly before serving.
