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Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Featured in: Comfort Baking

This fusion main combines classic macaroni with the tang of kimchi and the richness of melty cheeses, all finished with a crunchy sesame-panko topping. Elbow macaroni is coated in a creamy cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese sauce, seasoned with Korean chili paste and mustard. Chopped kimchi and spring onion add depth, while buttery sesame crumbs bake into a golden crust. Easy to adapt for vegetarian or vegan diets, this dish delivers bold flavor and comforting texture—perfect for cozy dinners or sharing with friends.

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Updated on Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:23:00 GMT
Creamy Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese topped with crunchy sesame breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Pin
Creamy Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese topped with crunchy sesame breadcrumbs for extra flavor. | cinnamonnest.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.

Ever since I first tried kimchi mac & cheese after a friend's recommendation, it instantly became the star dish at family gatherings. The combination of creamy cheese and spicy-sour kimchi always draws requests for seconds.

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 Oven & Dish:
Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Grease a medium baking dish.
Cook Pasta:
Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened (about 4 5 minutes).
Add Cheeses & 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 Kimchi Mixture:
Fold in chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and spring onions.
Mix Pasta & Bake:
Add drained macaroni to sauce, mix until coated, pour into prepared dish.
Add Topping & Bake:
Combine panko, sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Sprinkle evenly over pasta. Bake 15 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Cool slightly before serving.
Pin
| cinnamonnest.com

This mac & cheese is now part of our weekend ritual, with every bite sparking memories of laughter at the dinner table and the joy of sharing comfort food with loved ones.

Required Tools

Medium saucepan, whisk, large pot, baking dish, mixing bowls, oven

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), sesame. Check kimchi ingredients for fish sauce if allergic.

Nutritional Information

Calories per serving: 545. Total Fat: 26 g. Carbohydrates: 57 g. Protein: 19 g.

Bowls of Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, bursting with cheesy goodness and tangy kimchi. Pin
Bowls of Spicy Kimchi Mac & Cheese, bursting with cheesy goodness and tangy kimchi. | cinnamonnest.com

Serve hot for best texture. Leftovers reheat well—the flavors get even bolder after a day!

Recipe FAQ

→ Can I adjust the heat level?

Yes! For more spice, add extra gochujang or a pinch of chili flakes to the cheese sauce. For less heat, reduce the gochujang and use mild kimchi.

→ What cheeses work best for this dish?

Sharp cheddar adds flavor, mozzarella provides melt, and cream cheese contributes creaminess. You can substitute Gruyère or fontina for cheddar if desired.

→ How do I make this dairy-free?

Replace all cheeses with plant-based alternatives and use vegan butter and non-dairy milk. Ensure kimchi is vegan as well.

→ Does the kimchi need to be well-fermented?

Yes, well-fermented kimchi offers maximum flavor and tang, which balances the creamy cheese sauce.

→ Is this suitable for vegetarians?

This is vegetarian if using vegetarian cheeses and vegan kimchi (without fish sauce). Check all ingredient labels for suitability.

→ Can I prepare this in advance?

You can assemble the dish ahead and refrigerate before baking. Add topping just before baking for best crunch.

Spicy Kimchi Mac Cheese

Bold macaroni combines creamy cheese sauce, tangy kimchi, and sesame-studded crunchy topping.

Prep duration
15 min
Cooking duration
30 min
Total duration
45 min

Category Comfort Baking

Difficulty Medium

Origin American-Korean Fusion

Yield 4 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Ingredients

Pasta

01 10.5 ounces elbow macaroni
02 1 tablespoon salt for boiling water

Cheese Sauce

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
03 1.9 cups whole milk
04 5.3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
05 2.6 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
06 1.8 ounces 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 ounces well-fermented kimchi, chopped
02 1 tablespoon kimchi juice
03 2 spring onions, finely sliced

Topping

01 1.8 ounces panko breadcrumbs
02 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
03 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
04 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C). Grease a medium-sized baking dish and set aside.

Step 02

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente. Drain well and reserve.

Step 03

Make Roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Add flour and whisk vigorously for one minute until a paste forms.

Step 04

Prepare Cheese Sauce: Gradually pour in milk, whisking continuously until mixture is smooth and thickened, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 05

Incorporate Cheeses: Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese, stirring until completely melted and incorporated.

Step 06

Flavor Cheese Sauce: Stir in gochujang, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season to taste with salt.

Step 07

Add Kimchi Mixture: Fold chopped kimchi, kimchi juice, and sliced spring onions into the cheese sauce.

Step 08

Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Add drained macaroni to the sauce blend. Mix until pasta is evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 09

Prepare Crunchy Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, toasted sesame seeds, melted butter, and sesame oil. Toss until fully mixed.

Step 10

Finish and Bake: Sprinkle topping evenly over the macaroni mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and sesame.
  • Kimchi may contain fish sauce; use verified vegan kimchi for allergen avoidance.

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 545
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Carbs: 57 g
  • Protein: 19 g