Gochujang Mac and Cheese
Creamy baked macaroni cheese with a gentle gochujang kick and a crisp, golden crumb topping.
Made with Gochujang marinade and Cheese sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.77 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make sure your gochujang marinade and cheese sauce are ready (see the base recipes). Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
- 2
Cook the macaroni in plenty of salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the packet says. Drain well.
10 min - 3
Warm the cheese sauce in a large pan over a low heat, stirring. Whisk in the gochujang marinade until smooth and orange. Taste and add black pepper.
- 4
Stir in the pasta and half the spring onions. Tip into a baking dish.
- 5
Mix the cheddar, panko, sesame seeds and olive oil. Scatter evenly over the pasta.
- 6
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and golden. Rest for 5 minutes and top with the remaining spring onions.
25 min
Tips
- Under cook the macaroni slightly, as it keeps cooking in the oven.
- Add the marinade a spoon at a time to find the heat you like.
- A handful of kimchi stirred through is a great addition.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a covered dish at 180C until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make this gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free macaroni and breadcrumbs, and make sure your cheese sauce is made with gluten free flour or cornflour.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Assemble without the topping, cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Add the topping and bake for 5 minutes longer.
How spicy is it?
Mild to medium. The cheese softens the heat, so it suits families. Use 90 ml of marinade for a stronger kick.
More made with gochujang marinade
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.