Serves 4
30 min
Kimchi Pasta with Bacon and Sesame Seeds
Recipe GLPR23d1821cba6802
A fusion dish combining Italian pasta with bold Korean flavors. Crispy bacon and tangy kimchi create a savory sauce, balanced with a touch of gochujang's spicy richness and finished with nutty sesame seeds.
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Ingredients
8 ounces dry pasta (linguini or spaghetti)
6 ounces bacon, chopped
1 cup kimchi, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons gochujang
1 tablespoon butter
2 scallions, green parts only, chopped
Sesame seeds for garnish
Salt to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
While the pasta cooks, place the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the minced garlic and cook over medium heat for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the gochujang and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to combine with the fat and prevent burning.
Add the chopped kimchi to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to blend the flavors.
Add the butter and stir until melted. Pour in ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to create a light sauce, stirring well.
Add the cooked pasta and crispy bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency. Season with salt to taste.
Transfer the pasta to serving bowls. Top with chopped scallion greens and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
