Chaos Cooking Kimchi Ragu Pasta (Printable)

Spicy Korean kimchi and Italian-style ragu mingle in creamy pasta for a savory, hearty fusion dish.

# What you need:

→ Meats

01 - 10.5 oz ground pork (or beef, or a 50/50 blend)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 7 oz Napa cabbage kimchi, chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons kimchi juice
06 - 1 medium carrot, finely diced
07 - 1 stalk celery, finely diced

→ Liquids & Dairy

08 - 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
09 - 0.5 cup heavy cream (or unsweetened plant-based cream alternative)
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce

→ Pasta

12 - 12 oz rigatoni or penne

→ Spices & Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), optional
14 - 1 teaspoon sugar
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes

16 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
17 - 0.9 oz grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground pork or beef. Break up the meat and cook for 6 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
04 - Stir in chopped kimchi and kimchi juice. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until kimchi softens.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, soy sauce, gochugaru (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
06 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 0.4 cup of pasta water.
07 - Reduce sauce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and half the reserved pasta water. Mix until creamy and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat thoroughly, adding more reserved pasta water if needed for a silky texture.
09 - Serve immediately, garnished with chopped scallions and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the opposite of fussy: you brown meat, stir in kimchi, and let it become something magical without overthinking it.
  • The spicy umami hits different when cream smooths everything into silky comfort, like a warm hug that also tingles.
  • It proves that fusion doesn't need fancy techniques or obscure ingredients—just boldness and a willingness to taste as you go.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving pasta water; it's not an afterthought—it's the secret ingredient that keeps the sauce flowing and creamy without needing extra cream.
  • Taste the ragu before you add the pasta; this is your last chance to adjust salt, spice, or sweetness without fixing it later.
  • Kimchi juice is as important as the kimchi itself; it carries all the fermented flavor in liquid form, so don't drain it away thinking it's waste.
03 -
  • If your sauce breaks or gets too thick while sitting, don't panic—just warm it gently over low heat while adding pasta water a splash at a time until it flows again.
  • Make the ragu the day before and reheat it; time lets flavors marry and mature, and you'll have less to do when people are actually hungry.
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