Korean-Style Turkey Mac & Cheese (Printable Version)

Creamy mac and cheese meets Korean flavors in this fusion dish with gochujang turkey and garnishes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta & Cheese

01 - 10 oz elbow macaroni
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp salt

→ Korean-Style Turkey

10 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
11 - 14 oz ground turkey
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 tbsp ginger, grated
14 - 2 tbsp gochujang
15 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
16 - 1 tbsp honey
17 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
18 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

→ Garnish

19 - 3 scallions, thinly sliced
20 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the turkey and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is thickened and glossy. Remove from heat and keep warm.
05 - In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
06 - Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
08 - Combine the drained macaroni with the cheese sauce, mixing well to coat evenly.
09 - Divide the mac and cheese among serving bowls. Top each with a generous spoonful of the Korean turkey crumbles.
10 - Garnish with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • A unique fusion of creamy American comfort food and bold Korean flavors.
  • Quick and easy to prepare in just 50 minutes.
  • Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes.
  • High-protein meal featuring lean ground turkey.
02 -
  • Ensure the macaroni is cooked only to al dente so it stays firm when tossed in the warm cheese sauce.
  • Using freshly grated sharp cheddar and mozzarella will result in a much smoother and richer sauce compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • Let the turkey mixture simmer until it becomes glossy to ensure all the flavors are concentrated.
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