Description

This creamy Gochujang Pasta is a delightful combination of flavors, featuring paccheri pasta in a rich gochujang sauce. It’s a quick, comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or any occasion when you crave a hearty meal.

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. Remember to reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
Blend the garlic and bell peppers in a food processor. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped onions and green onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Add the grated garlic and bell pepper mixture to the skillet, cooking for another 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper to build flavor.
Stir in the tomato paste and gochujang paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor and remove the raw taste of the tomato.
Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring until the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes to thicken. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
Reduce the heat to low and mix in the mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted, creating a creamy sauce.
Add the cooked paccheri pasta to the sauce, gently tossing the pasta until coated. Stir in the chopped parsley and remaining green onions, warming everything for 1-2 minutes before serving.
Plate the pasta, finishing with grated parmesan, extra parsley, and cracked pepper if desired.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice level of the gochujang according to your preference.
For additional flavor, consider adding cooked chicken or shrimp to the pasta before serving.
Extra vegetables like spinach or broccoli can also be added to make it even more nutritious.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 650
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 70g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 95mg