Description
A rich and spicy gochujang butter pasta that combines creamy textures with bold Korean chili paste, garlic, and fresh herbs for a flavorful and comforting meal perfect for spice lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- Salt for pasta water
- 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
Sauce
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3–4 tablespoons Gochujang chile paste (or Calabrian chili oil)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finishing
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Chili flakes, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short cut pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Melt butter and sauté aromatics: In a Dutch oven or large skillet set over medium heat, melt the salted butter. Add the chopped garlic and dried oregano, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Gochujang and cream: Stir in the Gochujang chile paste, mixing well to combine. Reduce heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper. Allow the sauce to gently simmer until it is steaming and slightly thickened.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve a smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
- Finish with cheese and basil: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture. Fold in the chopped fresh basil for a bright herbal note. Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra chopped basil, Parmesan, and chili flakes to taste.
Notes
- If you prefer less heat, start with 3 tablespoons of Gochujang and adjust to taste.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Fresh garlic can be replaced with garlic powder (1 teaspoon) if needed.
- Using Calabrian chili oil instead of Gochujang will give a more oily, chili-forward flavor rather than paste thickness.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency without thinning out flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean-Italian Fusion
Keywords: gochujang butter pasta, spicy pasta, Korean pasta recipe, creamy pasta, garlic pasta, easy pasta recipe
