4.32 from 116 votes

Creamy Gochujang Pasta

Jump to Recipe
Make this creamy Gochujang pasta in under 10 minutes. This is a trending tiktok recipe that you don’t want to miss out on.
Prep time: 3 mins
Total Time: 12 mins
£0.77
Makes: 5
mains
Korean
Freezable

Table of Contents

  1. Why you should make this recipe
  2. What is Gochujang?
  3. Ingredients
  4. How to make creamy Gochujang pasta
  5. What to serve with this recipe
  6. Storage/ Reheat
4.32 from 116 votes

Creamy Gochujang Pasta

Jump to Recipe
Make this creamy Gochujang pasta in under 10 minutes. This is a trending tiktok recipe that you don’t want to miss out on.
Prep time: 3 mins
Total Time: 12 mins
£0.77
Makes: 5
mains
Korean
Freezable

Why you should make this recipe

I first saw this creamy Gochujang pasta recipe trending online. I had never thought to use Gochujang in a pasta recipe and definitely never thought to use it within a creamy, cheesy sauce. 

The result of adding a little Gochujang with garlic, parmesan, cream and pasta water, makes the richest, spicy, yet creamy pasta sauce. The flavour is so complex with minimal effort for this trending recipe. Does it get any easier than using 5 ingredients and only 10 minutes of your time? It’s hard to compete with. 

Other Gochujang recipes you should try…

Gochujang Noodles (Spicy Korean Noodles)

Turkey Mince Recipe with Rice (Gochujang Fried Rice)

Gochujang Turkey Noodles Close up of creamy Gochujang Pasta in a stainless steel pan with tongs stirring spaghetti topped with grated parmesan.

What is Gochujang?

Gochujang is also known as Korean BBQ sauce and is a fundamental ingredient in Korean dishes. It’s a thick red paste made from chillies, fermented soybeans, rice, and salt. Some versions of this spicy, sweet sauce use dried chilli flakes or chilli powder instead of chillies to provide a similar kick of heat.

The paste has a deliciously sweet yet spicy flavour and is often in sauces, marinades, and soups that need a taste boost. Its thicker consistency means that it is mixed with another liquid in most recipes to make it easier to use. 

Where can I buy Gochujang?

It is becoming more widely used so you can find it in most large supermarkets. If your local supermarket fails to supply them, try visiting your local Asian food store. 

Close up of Creamy Gochujang pasta with grated parmesan and metal tongs.

Ingredients

Gochujang paste 

It provides the most prominent flavour, helping turn the dish into a sweet, spicy recipe.  

Parmesan     

A salty, cheesy, umami-packed flavour bomb that completes this Korean cream pasta.    

Single cream 

A little single cream goes a long way here. When combined with pasta water and parmesan, we achieve the best creamy, cheesy foundation for our Gochujang to thrive on. 

Garlic

Adds an aromatic element to the dish. A parmesan and cream pasta recipe wouldn’t be right without garlic would it?

Spaghetti  

You can use your favourite pasta shape here. I chose spaghetti as I think it really pairs well with our creamy Gochujang sauce. 

How to make creamy Gochujang pasta

Start by adding the spaghetti to heavily salted pasta water. Set your timer to 2 minutes minus the packet time. Then to a large/ deep pan, add the olive oil, chilli flakes and garlic. Gently fry on a (very) low heat for around 2 minutes.

Garlic frying in a stainless steel pan with a wooden spoon.
Next, add the Gochujang paste into the pan to fry for a couple of minutes.

Gochujang paste added to the stainless steel pan with the garlic and mixed with a wooden spoon on a white background.Loosen the sauce with 2 ladles of pasta water.

Gochujang sauce in stainless steel pan.Ensuring that the Gochujang sauce isn’t boiling (reduce the heat), add the cream into the pan with the parmesan. Stir to form a creamy sauce, adding another ladle of pasta water.

Creamy Gochujang sauce with water added in a stainless steel pan on a white background.
Add the undercooked spaghetti into the pan and stir to combine, gently heating as you stir. The pasta water should thicken into an emulsified cheesy sauce. Keep adding pasta water as necessary and once the pasta is fully cooked, serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of parmesan.

Cooked spaghetti added to the sauce and mixed with metal tongs.
Serve with tenderstem broccoli and mushrooms sauted with fry light (place in 5 meal prep containers).

Gochujang pasta (spaghetti) served with tender stem broccoli, mushrooms and grated parmesan with metal fork in the pasta.

What to serve with this recipe

Whilst this Gochujang paste recipe does have over 20g of protein, to ensure we have a balance of nutrients, pair this recipe with your fave veggies. I chose to air fry some mushrooms and tenderstem broccoli. 

Other veggies/sides that would work well with this creamy Gochujang pasta:

  • Baked crispy kale/ cavolo nero 
  • Peas
  • Mangetout 
  • Chinese cabbage 
  • Green side salad  

If you want to add more protein to this recipe:

  • Seared turkey steaks 
  • Turkey mince 
  • Pork mince 
  • Crispy pan-fried firm tofu 
  • Shredded chicken breast
Half view of pale green plate of Gochujang pasta served with tender stem broccoli and mushrooms with a white background.

Storage/ Reheat

Can I reheat this recipe? 

Yes you can! To prevent drying out when reheating, add a tbsp or two of water into the bowl with one serving. Pop in the microwave for two minutes, stirring once after 1 minute. Serve with an extra sprinkle of parmesan and a sprinkle of chilli flakes, if you wanna really turn the heat up. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, for up to 3 months. To defrost, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature overnight. Then, follow the steps above to reheat and enjoy. 

Other quick dinner recipes you should try out…

Halloumi Pasta

Crispy Chilli Chicken (Healthy Fakeaway Chinese) Spicy Chili Oil Ramen Noodles

Creamy Gochujang Pasta

Print Pin It
4.32 from 116 votes
Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 12 mins
£0.77
mains
Korean
Freezable
Servings: 5
Make this creamy Gochujang pasta in under 10 minutes. This is a trending tiktok recipe that you don’t want to miss out on.

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp Gochujang paste (£2.50/5)=(£0.50)
  • 100 g parmesan (£1.60)
  • 150 ml single cream (£1.10/2)=(£0.55)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (£0.39)
  • 500 g spaghetti £0.80

Cupboard Essentials

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes, optional

Method

  • Add spaghetti to heavily salted pasta water. Set your timer to 2 minutes minus the packet time.
  • To a large/ deep pan, add the olive oil, chilli flakes and garlic. Gently fry on a (very) low heat for around 2 minutes.
  • Next, add the Gochujang paste into the pan to fry for a couple of minutes, before loosening with 2 ladles of pasta water.
  • Ensuring that the Gochujang sauce isn’t boiling (reduce the heat), add the cream into the pan with the parmesan. Stir to form a creamy sauce, adding another ladle of pasta water.
  • Add the undercooked spaghetti into the pan and stir to combine, gently heating as you stir. The pasta water should thicken into an emulsified cheesy sauce. Keep adding pasta water as necessary and once the pasta is fully cooked, serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of parmesan.

Serve with tenderstem broccoli and mushrooms sauted with fry light.

    Nutrition

    Servings: 5 servings
    Fat: 15g
    Calories: 546kcal
    Carbohydrates: 81g
    Protein: 21g
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