Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes. Use coconut milk in place of cream and a dairy-free hard cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for the finish.

What protein pairs well with this pasta?

Chicken, shrimp, tofu, or tempeh all pair well with gochujang butter sauce.

09 March 2026

Gochujang Butter Pasta

Name: Gochujang Butter Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 1 large onion (yellow, thinly sliced); 8 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp paprika; 2 tbsp honey; 3 tbsp gochujang; 50 g parmesan (freshly grated); 225 g pasta (spaghetti or similar); 240 ml cream (heavy cream or coconut milk, room temperature); 30 g butter; 15 ml olive oil; 120 ml pasta water (reserved); chives (finely chopped); chili crisp (optional drizzle)

RecipeShare Test Kitchen

Gochujang Butter Pasta

This pasta combines creamy butter sauce structure with gochujang heat and mild sweetness from honey. Caramelized onions and garlic create depth, while parmesan adds savory finish.

It is a fast fusion-style main that works for weeknight cooking and reheats well for lunch.

Why This Recipe Works

Gochujang gives heat, umami, and body in one ingredient. Slow-cooked onion balances spice and helps the sauce taste rounded instead of sharp.

Pasta water emulsifies the sauce so it coats noodles evenly.

Ingredient Notes

Use your preferred pasta shape, but spaghetti or linguine carry the sauce best.

If your gochujang is very spicy, start with less and adjust after tossing.

High-Level Method

Caramelize onion first, then bloom garlic and spices. Add gochujang, cream, honey, and parmesan to create sauce. Toss with cooked pasta and reserved water until glossy.

Serve hot with chives and optional chili crisp.

Serving Notes

This pasta is rich enough to stand alone, but it also pairs well with a crisp cucumber salad, steamed greens, or roasted broccoli to balance the sauce. If you want to turn it into a higher-protein dinner, add sliced chicken, sauteed shrimp, or pan-crisped tofu at the end.

Storage and Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan with a splash of water or milk until creamy again.

Serving & Goal Fit

Recommended serving size is 1 bowl (about 300 g), ideally with a vegetable side.

On training days, keep full serving or add +50 g cooked rice if needed. On rest days, reduce carbs slightly by serving a smaller pasta portion.

Protein swaps: chicken breast, shrimp, tofu, or tempeh. Vegetable add-ins: spinach, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, onions, courgette, green beans, frozen mixed veg, or tenderstem broccoli.

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

35 mins

Servings

Tools Used

Large Skillet Pasta PotWooden SpoonGrater

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Comments & Reviews

user_27
11/6/2025
Family liked this with extra parmesan.
user_13
11/5/2025
Good recipe with strong savory heat.
user_90
11/3/2025
Onion and garlic together make this great.
user_81
11/2/2025
I adjusted the spice and liked it much more.
spoonful.tian
11/1/2025
The sauce is rich and very flavorful.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 300 g)

Calories 610

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 36g46%

Saturated Fat 14g70%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 95mg32%

Sodium 950mg41%

Total Carbohydrates 50g18%

Dietary Fiber 3g11%

Sugars 12g

Protein 17g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

09 March 2026

Gochujang Butter Pasta

RecipeShare Test Kitchen

Gochujang Butter Pasta

This pasta combines creamy butter sauce structure with gochujang heat and mild sweetness from honey. Caramelized onions and garlic create depth, while parmesan adds savory finish.

It is a fast fusion-style main that works for weeknight cooking and reheats well for lunch.

Why This Recipe Works

Gochujang gives heat, umami, and body in one ingredient. Slow-cooked onion balances spice and helps the sauce taste rounded instead of sharp.

Pasta water emulsifies the sauce so it coats noodles evenly.

Ingredient Notes

Use your preferred pasta shape, but spaghetti or linguine carry the sauce best.

If your gochujang is very spicy, start with less and adjust after tossing.

High-Level Method

Caramelize onion first, then bloom garlic and spices. Add gochujang, cream, honey, and parmesan to create sauce. Toss with cooked pasta and reserved water until glossy.

Serve hot with chives and optional chili crisp.

Serving Notes

Storage and Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan with a splash of water or milk until creamy again.

Serving & Goal Fit

Recommended serving size is 1 bowl (about 300 g), ideally with a vegetable side.

On training days, keep full serving or add +50 g cooked rice if needed. On rest days, reduce carbs slightly by serving a smaller pasta portion.

Protein swaps: chicken breast, shrimp, tofu, or tempeh. Vegetable add-ins: spinach, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, onions, courgette, green beans, frozen mixed veg, or tenderstem broccoli.