Description

Gochujang Pasta combines bold flavors with creamy goodness for a comforting meal. This easy-to-follow recipe involves simple ingredients, delivering a rich and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb. paccheri pasta
¼ cup chopped onions
1 green onion; sliced (separate whites and greens)
8 garlic cloves; grated or finely processed
1 bell pepper; orange, yellow, or red, seeds removed and processed with garlic
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoon tomato paste
4 tablespoon gochujang paste
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup pasta water
3 tablespoon chopped parsley; plus more for garnish
½ cup mozzarella cheese; or more as needed
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese; or more as needed
grated parmesan cheese; for topping

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the paccheri pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Blend the garlic and bell peppers in the food processor.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and white parts of the green onion, cooking for about 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the grated garlic and bell pepper mixture, cooking for another 2–3 minutes while stirring often to avoid burning the garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the tomato paste and gochujang paste, cooking for 1–2 minutes while stirring constantly. This deepens the flavor and removes any raw taste from the tomato paste.
Slowly pour in the heavy cream and stir well until the sauce becomes smooth. Let it simmer for about 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened, then taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Reduce heat to low and stir in the mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
Add the cooked paccheri pasta to the sauce and gently toss to coat each piece. Stir in the chopped parsley and remaining green onions, warming together for 1–2 minutes.
Plate the pasta and finish with grated parmesan, extra parsley, and fresh cracked pepper if desired.

Notes

For added flavor, consider using smoked cheese varieties.
Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less gochujang.
This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 600
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 65g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 80mg