Description
This vibrant Gochujang Pasta combines creamy, spicy Korean gochujang sauce with crispy, umami-rich furikake breadcrumbs for a quick and flavorful meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, this fusion dish blends Italian pasta with bold Asian flavors, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons Gochujang (Adjust based on heat preference)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Substitute with coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Fresh, minced)
- 1 tablespoon Butter (Can be omitted for dairy-free)
- 8 ounces Pasta (Spaghetti or penne)
Breadcrumb Topping
- 2 tablespoons Furikake (Or substitute with toasted sesame seeds and crushed nori)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Or any mild-flavored oil)
- Breadcrumbs (Quantity not specified; typically about 1/2 cup for toasting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and breadcrumbs, toasting them for about 5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Stir in 2 tablespoons of furikake, then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Make the Gochujang Cream Sauce: In a separate pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant. Add 2 tablespoons of gochujang and fry for 1-2 minutes to release its aroma. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and cook gently until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the gochujang cream sauce, tossing well to coat. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce and ensure it evenly coats the noodles.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and generously sprinkle with the crispy furikake breadcrumb mixture. Optionally, garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Adjust gochujang quantity to control spiciness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit butter.
- If you don’t have furikake, use a mixture of toasted sesame seeds and crushed nori sheets as a substitute.
- Pasta water helps to loosen and bind the sauce to the noodles for a better texture.
- Parmesan and parsley garnish are optional but add extra flavor and freshness.
