Flavorful Gochujang Pasta Recipe Easy Spicy Garlic Twist at Home
A quick and easy spicy pasta dish featuring gochujang and garlic for a bold Korean-Italian fusion flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 to 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean-Italian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 2 to 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 4 to 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add 4 to 5 finely minced garlic cloves. Stir frequently to prevent burning until golden and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Lower heat if garlic browns too fast.
- Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of gochujang paste. Cook gently for 30 seconds, mixing well with garlic and oil.
- Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon honey (or brown sugar), and 1 teaspoon rice vinegar. Stir to blend until sauce looks glossy and slightly thickened.
- Toss the drained pasta into the skillet. Use tongs or a wooden spoon to coat every strand evenly. Add reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if sauce is too thick, until desired consistency is reached.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle sliced green onions and, if desired, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Keep heat moderate and stir garlic constantly to avoid burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to pasta. Adjust gochujang amount to control spice level. Mix soy sauce, honey, and vinegar before adding to pan for even seasoning. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles. For vegan, substitute honey with maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup cooked p
- Calories: 350400
- Sugar: 35
- Fat: 810
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 6065
- Fiber: 34
- Protein: 1012
Keywords: gochujang pasta, spicy pasta, garlic pasta, Korean chili paste, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, spicy garlic pasta