Creamy Gochujang Pasta (Quick & Easy Recipe)

Try this delicious and easy creamy gochujang pasta! Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires just a few ingredients. Experience the amazing flavors of Korean-inspired pasta!

Korean cuisine is famous for its rich flavors, varied dishes, and unique ingredients. From bulgogi to spicy kimchi, every bite offers a captivating blend of tastes and textures that’s simply irresistible.

One ingredient that often takes center stage in Korean recipes is gochujang, a traditional Korean fermented chili paste. 

Its vibrant red color and rich umami flavor make it a staple in many Korean households. Today, we’ll explore my favorite fusion of Korean and Italian cuisines – creamy gochujang pasta.

Pasta and rice are undoubtedly my absolute favorites! There’s something so satisfying about preparing and indulging in a delicious bowl of chicken curry pasta or non-creamy gochujang pasta. 

Alternatively, if you’re craving something creamy, here’s an easy recipe for creamy gochujang pasta with minimal effort.

Ingredients For Creamy Gochujang Pasta

#Pasta – Spaghetti or any pasta of your choice.

#Onion, tomato: You can use white or red onions. If you prefer, you can use fresh tomatoes or tomato paste.

#Garlic and cilantro or green onion for garnishing.

#Gochujang: You can buy Korean gochujang paste from Asian supermarkets or any asian grocery stores. It is a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine, particularly known for its use in Korean cooking. Gochujang is a fermented chili paste made from red pepper flakes and other ingredients.

#Cream: Heavy cream or light cream. 

#Seasoning : Salt, black pepper and red chili pepper flakes or paprika.

#Butter: Alternatively you can use oilve oil or sesame oil.

#Water

Step-By-Step Detailed Instructions

#1. To begin, cook the spaghetti in 12 cups of water for 10 minutes on medium-high heat. Once pasta is cooked, strain and let it aside.

#2. Place the butter in a skillet and heat it until it melts. Immediately after the butter melts, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

#3. In the next step, add the chopped onion to the skillet along with the butter and garlic and stir until it is combined. Saute it for 2-3 mins until softened. Then add tomatoes and cook until tomatoes are mushy.

#4 Add pepper flakes, black pepper and gochujang paste. Combine everything well.

#5. Add the cream and water to the skillet. Stir well to combine with the gochujang paste. Stir occasionally while cooking until the sauce has thickened. Cook for 5-7 minutes on low heat.

#6. Next, add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat with creamy gochujang sauce.

#7. Season with salt to taste. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro.

Serving and Storage

This pasta is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions that you might like to try:

#Parmesan cheese:

• For extra flavor, sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top of the pasta. The salty and nutty flavor of the cheese complements the spicy and creamy sauce perfectly.

#Eggs:

• For a delicious twist on this creamy gochujang pasta, try serving it with an omelette. The creamy sauce and spicy gochujang paste pair perfectly with the light and fluffy eggs.

#Storage:

• You can store gochujang creamy pasta in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an air tight container. Allow pasta to cool down before storing. 

Tips and Variations

#Add some veggies

• To make this dish even healthier, add your favorite veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, baby spinach and bell pepper. Simply sauté them with the garlic and onion in step 2 until tender, then proceed with the rest of the recipe as written.

#Use different types of pasta:

• While spaghetti works well in this recipe, you can switch it up with a different kind of pasta. Try using penne or fusilli for a fun twist on this classic Korean-inspired dish.

#Adjust the spice level:

• Depending on how spicy you like your food, you can easily adjust the level of spiciness. Add more gochujang paste or green or red chilies if you want it spicy.

#Make it vegan:

• If you want to make it vegan, replace the cream with coconut milk or another plant-based alternative like cashew cream. You can also omit the butter and use olive oil or sesame oil for a healthier option.

#Add protein:

• Add some protein to the dish. The spicy and creamy pasta goes well with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

#Try different garnishes:

• While fresh cilantro is a great garnish for this dish, you can also try spring onion or sesame seeds.

Other Recipes

• Chicken Chili Recipe

• Chicken Curry Pasta

• Pork Belly Fried Rice

• Gochujang Pasta Without Cream