Name: Spicy Kimchi Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni; 6 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs; 6 cups chopped kimchi, squeezed dry; 5 1/2 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 pound grated Cheddar cheese; 1/2 pound shredded Monterey Jack cheese; Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Kimchi Mac and Cheese

Sep 2, 2025
by Abagail Cole
- 4.0 / 5 ( 1 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

10 mins
COOK TIME

35 mins
TOTAL TIME

45 mins
SERVING

16 People
VIEWS

3

A tantalizing fusion of creamy, classic comfort food with the vibrant, spicy tang of kimchi. This mac and cheese elevates a beloved dish into an unforgettable culinary experience, perfect as a show-stopping side or a satisfying main course.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni

6 tablespoons butter, divided

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

6 cups chopped kimchi, squeezed dry

5 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 pound grated Cheddar cheese

1/2 pound shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

34 g
Cholesterol

55 mg
Fiber

2 g
Protein

17 g
Saturated Fat

12 g
Sodium

720 mg
Sugar

2 g
Fat

19 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

5 mins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 4-quart casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of butter. (5 minutes)

02

Step

10 mins

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain thoroughly. (10 minutes)

03

Step

3 mins

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Stir in panko bread crumbs until evenly coated. (3 minutes)

04

Step

5 mins

Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it's warm, but not boiling. (5 minutes)

05

Step

2 mins

In a large, high-sided pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute to create a roux. (2 minutes)

06

Step

5 mins

Gradually pour in the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens slightly. (5 minutes)

07

Step

3 mins

Remove the sauce from heat and stir in Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth. (3 minutes)

08

Step

5 mins

Add the cooked macaroni and drained kimchi to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine, ensuring the macaroni is fully coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (5 minutes)

09

Step

2 mins

Pour the kimchi mac and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs evenly over the top. (2 minutes)

10

Step

25 mins

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving. (25 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of gochujang (Korean chili paste) to the cheese sauce.
Ensure the kimchi is well-drained to prevent the mac and cheese from becoming watery.
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyere or pepper jack, to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
To prevent the bread crumbs from burning, you can cover the casserole dish with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.

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Abagail Cole

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.