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Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Featured in: Weekend Comfort Plates

This vibrant main dish features tender macaroni tossed in a creamy cheese sauce enriched with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, and delicately spiced with gochujang, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika. Chopped, well-fermented kimchi and sliced spring onions add a punch of tang and depth. The mixture is baked until bubbly with a topping of toasted sesame seeds and crisp panko breadcrumbs for irresistible texture and nutty aroma. Perfect for vegetarians, it can easily be made vegan or customized with alternative cheeses for a fusion twist on classic comfort, with every bite blending spicy, creamy, and crunchy sensations.

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Updated on Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:46:00 GMT
Creamy Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese topped with crunchy sesame adds flavor and texture. Pin it
Creamy Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese topped with crunchy sesame adds flavor and texture. | fungeniusrecipe.com

A bold and creamy comfort classic reimagined with tangy kimchi, melty cheeses, and a crunchy sesame topping—a viral sensation inspired by Tineke Younger.

The first time I tried this Kimchi Mac & Cheese, the addition of kimchi totally transformed the classic dish. The bold flavors and crunchy topping made it an instant favorite at our dinner table.

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 & Dish:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Grease a medium baking dish.
Cook Pasta:
Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Thicken Sauce:
Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened (about 4–5 minutes).
Add Cheeses:
Lower the heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until melted.
Season Sauce:
Mix in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season with salt.
Kimchi Mixture:
Fold in the 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.
Prepare Topping:
Combine panko, sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
Bake:
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.
Indulge in Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, a fusion delight bursting with savory goodness. Pin it
Indulge in Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, a fusion delight bursting with savory goodness. | fungeniusrecipe.com

This dish made its way into our weekend family dinners, surprising even picky eaters with its irresistible mix of flavors and textures.

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 for allergies and always check labels.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 545, Total Fat: 26 g, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 19 g

Savor the bold flavors of Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, a comforting dish with a twist. Pin it
Savor the bold flavors of Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, a comforting dish with a twist. | fungeniusrecipe.com

Serve hot for the best taste and crunch. This one always brings people back for seconds—enjoy every bite!

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of kimchi works best?

Use well-fermented kimchi for robust flavor and tang; vegan kimchi can be substituted if needed.

→ Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes, substitute plant-based cheeses, milk, and butter, plus use vegan-friendly kimchi for a fully vegan preparation.

→ Which pasta shape is ideal?

Elbow macaroni is recommended for its texture and sauce-holding ability, but other small shapes work too.

→ How can I add extra spice?

Mix in chili flakes or more gochujang during the cheese sauce step for a spicier flavor profile.

→ Is this dish suitable for those with allergies?

It contains wheat, dairy, and sesame. Check kimchi labels for fish sauce or make vegan swaps for allergens.

→ What cheese alternatives will work?

Gruyère or fontina offer richer, nuanced flavors and melt well, making great substitutes for cheddar.

Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Mac and cheese with kimchi and sesame, blending comfort with vibrant flavors in a golden, bubbly bake.

Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
30 minutes
Complete time
45 minutes
Created by Fungeniusrecipe Chloe Anderson

Recipe category Weekend Comfort Plates

Skill level Medium

Cuisine type Fusion (American-Korean)

Portions 4 Number of servings

Dietary details Meatless

What You Need

Pasta

01 10.5 oz elbow macaroni
02 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)

Cheese Sauce

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
03 1 3/4 cups whole milk
04 5.25 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
05 2.65 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
06 1.75 oz cream cheese, cubed
07 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
08 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 Salt, to taste

Kimchi Mixture

01 5.3 oz well-fermented kimchi, chopped
02 1 tablespoon kimchi juice
03 2 spring onions, finely sliced

Topping

01 1.75 oz panko breadcrumbs
02 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
03 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
04 1 teaspoon sesame oil

How to Make

Step 01

Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

Step 02

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and macaroni. Cook until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 03

Make Cheese Sauce Base: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, whisking constantly, and cook for 1 minute.

Step 04

Finish Cheese Sauce: Gradually incorporate milk while whisking until mixture forms a smooth, thick sauce, about 4–5 minutes.

Step 05

Melt Cheeses and Season: Lower heat and blend in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese until fully melted. Stir in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season with salt.

Step 06

Combine Kimchi and Onions: Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions into the cheese sauce.

Step 07

Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained macaroni to the sauce and gently mix until all pasta is evenly coated. Transfer mixture to prepared dish.

Step 08

Prepare Crunchy Topping: In a bowl, combine panko, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Toss to blend.

Step 09

Top and Bake: Sprinkle topping evenly over pasta. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Let rest briefly before serving.

Equipment needed

  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Large pot
  • Baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Oven

Allergy details

Don’t forget to check each item for allergens. Talk to a healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and sesame. Kimchi may contain fish sauce—check ingredients for vegetarian compatibility.

Nutrition (each serving)

These nutrition facts are for reference only. Always consult an expert for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 545
  • Fat content: 26 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Protein content: 19 g