Spicy, creamy gochujang pasta blends Korean chili paste with parmesan cheese and more for pasta with a Korean twist, easy to make and ready in minutes!
Use gochujang to make homemade kimchi and tteokbokki!
Creamy Gochujang Pasta
Ready for your new favorite spicy pasta dish, my friends? This Gochujang Pasta is ready for you to take your pasta to a new level.
Gochujang pasta is a Korean spin on an Italian classic using spicy gochujang instead of tomato, a bit like a Korean-style penne alla vodka.
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Spicy as You Want it! You'll get a nice level of spicy heat from the combination of gochujang, gochugaru, and optional spicy chilies, though you can adjust for more or less heat as desired.
- Quick and Easy to Make! This is a quick and easy dish, ready in about 15 minutes. You can start the sauce cooking as your noodles are just about done boiling, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Customizable. You can easily add in your favorite vegetables, meats, or seafoods to round out the dish. It's also great for leftovers. Just toss them in!
Let's talk about how to make gochujang pasta, shall we?
Gochujang Pasta Ingredients
The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Pasta Noodles. Use penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti – works with any pasta!
- Butter. Or use olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Spicy Chilies. Optional, for an extra spicy version.
- Fresh Garlic.
- Gochujang. Gochujang is a Korean chili paste used widely in Korean cuisine.
- Gochugaru. Gochugaru is Korean chili flakes. Use red pepper flakes or paprika as a substitute.
- Heavy Creamy. Use milk as a lighter version, or half and half, or a mix of sour cream or crema with a bit of milk. Try it with coconut milk!
- Parmesan Cheese. Other cheeses work here as well. Consider feta cheese or goat cheese for a tangy flavor, or melty cheddar for a twist.
- Salt and Pepper. To taste.
- For Garnish. Extra gochugaru or chili flakes, fresh grated parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley or green onion.
Gochujang
It's all about the Gochujang. Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybean powder, barley malt, and salt.
It is thick and pungent in flavor, adding a zingy depth to your dishes. It is both spicy and sweet, perfect for stir fries, noodles, soups and stews, and so much more. It is essential to Korean cuisine.
It may remind you of one of our favorites, Sriracha, though Sriracha has nothing on this glorious condiment. It is HUGE on flavor and truly makes this dish.
How to Make Gochujang Pasta - the Recipe Method
NOTE: The full recipe instructions are listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Boil your pasta noodles to al dente, then drain the pasta, but reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water, which will later add thickness to your gochujang pasta sauce.
- While your cooking the pasta, cook down the chilies and garlic in butter (or oil) in a pan over medium heat, then add the gochujang and gochugaru.
- Simmer a couple minutes to develop the flavor, then stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, reserved pasta water and salt and pepper to taste.
- Thicken the sauce a couple minutes at a simmer, then stir in the pasta noodles and bit more butter.
Boom! Done! Your gochujang pasta is ready to serve. Easy to make, right? It's practically done by the time your pasta is done boiling. Extra spicy for me, please!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Add greens or other vegetables like spinach, mushroom, or shallots to round out the meal.
- Add meats or seafood for a fuller meal. It's great with pork belly, chicken, shrimp, or scallops.
- Optional Flavor Adjustments. Want More Umami? Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, soju, or oyster sauce when adding the gochujang. Touch of Sweet? Add 1-2 teaspoons honey to balance out the spicy flavors.
Adjust the Heat
You'll get a nice level of spiciness from both the gochujang and gochugaru. For extra heat, use hot gochujang, and include spicy chilies of your choice per the recipe.
For milder gochujang pasta, use mild gochujang, and omit the spicy chili flakes and hot chilies.
Storage & Leftovers
Leftover gochujang pasta will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can easily reheat it in a pan on the stove top, or gently in the microwave.
I do not recommend freezing pasta, as the pasta becomes soft and mushy.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this creamy gochujang pasta recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!
Cookbook Recommendation
If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.
- The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
Ingredients Used For This Recipe
- Buy Gochujang Paste from Amazon (affiliate link, my friends!)
Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Try Some of My Other Spicy Pasta Recipes
Try Some of My Other Recipes with Gochujang
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Creamy Gochujang Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta noodles use penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti – works with any pasta!
- 3 tablespoons butter divided (or use vegetable oil)
- 1-2 spicy chilies chopped (optional, for extra spicy)
- 5-6 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 teaspoon gochugaru Korean chili flakes – sub with red pepper flakes or paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream or use milk for a lighter version – try it with coconut milk!
- ¼ cup pasta water reserved from boiling the pasta
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For garnish. Extra gochugaru or chili flakes fresh grated parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley or green onion
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add pasta noodles. Boil until al dente, about 8-10 minutes (check your packaging label for suggested times). Drain, but reserve ¼ cup pasta water. Reserve noodles.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan over medium heat and add the chopped chilies. Cook for 2-3 minutes to soften the chilies.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Stir in the gochujang and gochugaru and cook for 1-2 minutes to develop the flavor, stirring. The paste should darken a bit.
- Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, the reserved pasta water, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the pasta noodles and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Stir to heat through and coat all of the noodles, and melt the butter through.
- Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
- Garnish and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 5/2/25 to include new information, photo, and video. It was originally published on 8/26/24.
Richard says
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe.
Mike H. says
Welcome =)
Barbara says
This gochujang pasta recipe looks incredible spicy, creamy, and full of bold flavors. I love how easy it is to customize, and the balance of heat with parmesan is such a clever twist. It actually reminded me of the Sonic Blast Menu at Sonic Drive-In, where they mix creamy ice cream with real candies like Reese’s or Oreo for a rich, satisfying treat. Just like your pasta blends unexpected ingredients into something comforting and exciting, Sonic Blasts do the same with dessert, perfect for when you're craving something sweet after a spicy meal like this.
Mike H. says
Thank you, Barbara.
Tim says
Sounds delicious, will give it a try. Might throw some shrimp in.
Mike Hultquist says
A perfect addition! Enjoy, Tim.
Ro says
Thank you. Made this today for lunch. It was delicious.
Mike Hultquist says
A perfect lunch!! Thanks, Ro! Glad you liked it!
Banks says
So easy, quick, and delicious! Perfect Friday night meal.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!! I agree, Banks! Nice.
Mimi Rippee says
Ooooooh, coconut milk is a fabulous suggestion!
Mike Hultquist says
Thank you, Mimi.
Stacy Stewart says
Hi Mike
I love your chili oil recipe. Going to give this a try I husband does not do cheese.
I was going to to mine with the parmesan. Will it still work without adding the parmesan in ?
Thanks
Stacy
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Stacy. Yes, this recipe will work without the parmesan. You might serve some on the side for yourself, as it really does add a delicious element to the dish. I hope he enjoys it!
jp says
Thanks Mike, much appreciated. Have a great Labor Day
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, JP!
Craig Russell says
This was absolutely fantastic…thank you.
Used coconut milk and added shrimp.
A great spice.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Thanks, Craig! Glad you enjoyed it!
JP Stevenson says
Mike, can't wait to try it...do you think I could substitute vermouth or vodka
for the cream/milk or would that change the whole character of the dish.
thanks, love all your recipes...jp
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, JP. You can definitely do that, and yes, it will make it less creamy, but it will still be tasty. The creamy lightens it up quite nicely, though, so you may want a touch of that, but let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy!!
Sean says
This is a great idea for a quick and easy, but tasty meal!
What kind of chilies do you suggest? I have some fresh jalapenos, and some dried ancho and guajillo chilies.
Mike Hultquist says
Sean, I love some pan toasted jalapeno slices with this, so good for some extra heat! Let me know how you like it!
Sean says
Tried the recipe for dinner - loved it! Great flavor profile. Used rotini noodles. Might try udon noodles next with some chives, sesame seeds, etc.
Mike Hultquist says
Boom! Nice! Udon noodles would be perfect! Thanks, Sean.
Ramya says
Cant wait to make this soon for me hoping i can find gochujang in Singapore i love pasta sooooooooo much i never had gochujang pasta before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Mike Hultquist says
I hope you love it, Ramya.