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    Home » Recipes » Noodles

    Published: Jan 27, 2023 · Modified: Jan 22, 2024 by Julia · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Spicy Gochujang Rigatoni

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This creamy gochujang rigatoni is a Korean-inspired spicy twist on an Italian classic. Have restaurant-quality pasta ready in under 30 minutes.

    Spicy gochujang rigatoni with parmesan.
    Jump to:
    • What is gochujang?
    • Which pasta shape should I use?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    A couple weeks back, I tried an Indian-inspired creamy rigatoni dish and thought, 'why not use gochujang'? The Korean fermented paste is a balance of spicy and sweet and has the perfect red hue to mimic this typically tomato-based pasta dish. Mixed with cream, the flavors are perfectly balanced with just enough kick to keep you coming back.

    Looking for other interesting fusion dishes? Try my Miso Butter Mushroom Pasta or Japanese Mushroom Risotto recipes, both of which blend Japanese and Italian flavors.

    What is gochujang?

    Gochujang is a thick, spicy and sweet paste used in Korean cuisine that adds depth and umami to many dishes. It is made from a mixture of chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans and salt. Gochujang is often used as a condiment or marinade for meat, fish and vegetables, and is also an ingredient in soups, stews, and sauces.

    You'll find gochujang as a key ingredient in recipes such as Korean Rice Paper Tteokbokki, Kimchi Mushroom Soft Tofu Stew (Vegetarian), Korean Fried Chicken and Quick and Easy Kimchi Fried Rice, which are traditionally Korean dishes.

    However, just like in this dish, gochujang is a great ingredient to add depth and flavor such as in my Gochujang Baked Tofu (Vegan) recipe.

    Container of gochujang.
    Topview of container with gochujang.

    Which pasta shape should I use?

    There are several tube-shaped pastas available at the supermarket. Use rigatoni, a larger, tube-shaped pasta with straight, cylindrical sides and a smooth surface. Rigatoni is often used in pasta dishes with thicker, creamier sauces - such as the gochujang sauce for this recipe.

    Box of Whole Foods organic rigatoni.

    Ingredients

    • Rigatoni
    • Unsalted butter
    • Garlic
    • Gochujang: A thick spicy paste used in Korean cuisine, you'll usually be able to find this paste in the shelf sauce section at Korean grocery stores.
    • Heavy cream
    • Parmesan
    • Chives

    Instructions

    1. Boil pot of water and salt generously. The general rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of salt for 1 lb of pasta. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions.
    2. In a pan on low-medium heat, melt butter and add minced garlic. Lightly sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    3. Add gochujang and cook down for 45 seconds to 1 minute to bring the flavor out. Then, add heavy cream and gently mix until gochujang is evenly distributed and cream is a rose/pink color.Cooking gochujang in butter with garlic.
    4. Drain pasta, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Add pasta water into creamy gochujang sauce and bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer.Rigatoni cooking in gochujang sauce on pan.
    5. Add drained pasta into simmering sauce and mix until pasta is evenly coated. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
    6. Finish off with parmesan and the final tablespoon of butter to keep sauce glossy.
    7. Serve with additional parmesan and chopped chives.
    Spicy gochujang rigatoni.

    Variations

    Dairy-free: Substitute the butter and heavy cream for dairy-free versions such as this vegan butter and dairy-free heavy cream. Note that the flavor and texture could be different if using these ingredients. Sub the parmesan cheese for a vegan parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.

    Less spicy: If you're concerned about the spice levels, halve the amount of gochujang in the recipe. Keep testing until you reach a spice level that is comfortable for you!

    Storage

    Store any leftovers in an air-tight container. Leftovers are good for up to two days. Heat up leftovers on a pan and (re)enjoy!

    📖 Recipe

    Spicy gochujang rigatoni.
    Print Pin
    4.95 from 55 votes

    Spicy Gochujang Rigatoni

    This creamy gochujang rigatoni is a Korean-inspired spicy twist on an Italian classic. Have restaurant-quality pasta ready in under 30 minutes.
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian, Korean
    Diet Vegetarian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 7 minutes minutes
    Total Time 17 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Author Julia

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz dry rigatoni
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter (use 1 tablespoon at a time)
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 2 tablespoon gochujang
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • ½ cup pasta water
    • ¼ cup parmesan (extra for topping)
    • 2 chives (chopped)

    Instructions

    • Boil pot of water and salt generously. The general rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of salt for 1 lb of pasta. Since we are using ½ lb of pasta, salt water with ½ tablespoon of salt. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions.
    • In a pan, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter on low-medium heat and add minced garlic. Lightly sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    • Add gochujang and cook down for about a minute to release the paste's flavors. Next, add heavy cream and gently stir until gochujang is evenly distributed throughout and cream becomes a rose-pink color.
    • Drain pasta and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Add reserved pasta water into the creamy gochujang sauce and bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer.
    • Add cooked pasta into sauce and mix until pasta is evenly coated. Simmer at low heat for about 2-3 minutes.
    • Finish off with parmesan and the last 1 tablespoon of butter to keep sauce shiny and glossy. Stir gently until butter has melted.
    • Serve with additional parmesan and chopped chives.

    More Noodles

    • Miso sesame soba noodles.
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      Miso Butter Mushroom Pasta
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    Hi, I'm J! I'm a marketer by day, food photographer and recipe-tester by any other time available. The Floured Camera was born from my need to make quick, delicious, and (sometimes) healthy dishes for when I'm craving my favorite Asian childhood dishes!

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