Gochujang Mac and Cheese

• 70 g dry small pasta — Small dry enriched pasta
• 50 g cheddar cheese, grated — Cheddar cheese
• 120 g low-fat cottage cheese — Low-fat cottage cheese (2% milkfat)
• 80 g prepared kimchi, squeezed dry and chopped — Prepared vegan napa cabbage kimchi
• 15 g gochujang — Gochujang
• 50 g baby spinach — Raw baby spinach
• 2 g toasted sesame oil — Toasted sesame oil

Method

1. 1Measure ingredients: Boil the pastaMeasure dry small pasta using the quantities in the ingredient list. Complete any stated draining, chopping, slicing, or drying, and keep these items beside clean equipment.Look for: The named ingredients are measured, prepared, and ready to use.
2. 2Boil the pastaBoil pasta in unsalted water for the package minimum, about 8 minutes, until tender with a firm center; reserve 120 g cooking water and drain.8 minLook for: Pasta is tender but not split or mushy.Safety: Drain boiling water away from your body.
3. 3Cook the kimchi baseHeat sesame oil in the drained saucepan over medium-high. Cook squeezed kimchi for 3 minutes.3 minLook for: The cooking surface or appliance is fully heated and ready for the next action.Safety: Avoid hot-oil splatter and declare sesame.
4. 4Add spinachAdd spinach and fold for 60 seconds until fully wilted.1 minLook for: Kimchi is lightly caramelized and spinach has no pooled liquid.
5. 5Build the cheese sauceLower the heat. Let the cooking surface reach the stated heat before adding the ingredients.Look for: The cooking surface or appliance is fully heated and ready for the next action.Safety: Declare milk, soy, and wheat and keep heat low to prevent separation.
6. 6Whisk cottage cheeseWhisk cottage cheese, gochujang, and 80 g pasta water into the cooked kimchi and spinach, then add cheddar in three additions over 2 minutes.3 minLook for: The sauce is smooth, orange-red, and no grated cheese clumps remain.
7. 7Coat and restAdd pasta and toss over low heat for 2 minutes, using remaining water only as needed. Remove from heat.2 minLook for: The mixture is even and ready for the next action, with no dry pockets.
8. 8Rest 5 minutesRest 5 minutes so the texture can settle before the next action.5 minLook for: Sauce clings thickly inside every pasta curve without a watery pool.Safety: Serve promptly or refrigerate within 2 hours.