Inspired by: @millyb
Craving a spicy, savory, and incredibly quick meal that's packed with flavor? Look no further! This Creamy Vegan Gochujang Pasta is a dream come true for busy weeknights, hungry students, or anyone who loves a delicious plant-based dish ready in just 15 minutes. Harnessing the rich, fermented notes of Korean gochujang chili paste, this recipe delivers an amazing umami kick with minimal effort. It’s a truly lazy vegan recipe that doesn't compromise on taste, making it a perfect addition to your culinary repertoire.
What is Gochujang Pasta?
Gochujang pasta is a delightful fusion dish that combines the comforting familiarity of Italian-style pasta with the bold, complex flavors of Korean cuisine. At its heart is gochujang, a fundamental Korean fermented chili paste known for its unique sweet, savory, and spicy profile. When combined with a creamy, dairy-free sauce, it transforms simple pasta into an irresistible, restaurant-quality meal that's both comforting and exciting.
Why You'll Love This Easy Vegan Gochujang Pasta
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Whether you're a seasoned vegan chef or just exploring plant-based meals, you’ll appreciate how effortlessly this dish comes together. It's naturally dairy-free and can easily be adapted to be gluten-free using your favorite pasta. It's the ultimate answer to the question: "What can I cook that's delicious, vegan, and super fast?"
Ingredients for Your Spicy Gochujang Pasta
Gather these simple ingredients to create your flavorful meal:
- Cooked pasta, much as you like (choose your favorite shape!)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste), to taste
- Vegan cream (such as coconut cream or oat cream)
- Fresh spring onions, finely chopped
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder), for sprinkling
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Suggested Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Saucepan or large skillet
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
How to Make 15-Minute Creamy Vegan Gochujang Pasta
Follow these simple steps for a quick and satisfying meal:
- Boil your chosen pasta in salted water until it's perfectly al dente according to package instructions.
- Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot or a large skillet on the stove.
- Add a generous splash of vegan cream to the hot pasta. Start with a quarter cup and add more if you desire a richer sauce.
- Stir in a tablespoon (or more, depending on your spice preference!) of gochujang paste and the finely chopped spring onions.
- Bring the mixture to a slow simmer, stirring constantly, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. If it's too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The gochujang is already salty, so season carefully.
- Serve immediately and sprinkle with gochugaru for an extra pop of color and heat.
Enjoy your delicious and incredibly easy lunch, ready in a flash!
A delightful combination of gochujang paste, fresh spring onions, and pasta, ready to transform into a quick and easy meal.
Your creamy vegan gochujang pasta, garnished with vibrant green spring onions and a sprinkle of gochugaru.
Tips & Variations for Your Gochujang Pasta
This recipe is fantastic on its own, but it's also wonderfully adaptable!
Creative Variations:
- Add Protein: Boost your meal by stirring in some pan-fried firm tofu cubes, chickpeas, or edamame at the end.
- Veggies Galore: Enhance the nutritional value with quick-cooking vegetables like spinach (wilt it into the hot pasta), thinly sliced mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Gluten-Free Option: Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Nut-Free Cream: If you prefer a nut-free option, use an oat-based or soy-based vegan cream instead of coconut cream.
- Extra Umami Boost: For even deeper savory notes, add a teaspoon of soy sauce or miso paste along with the gochujang.
Smart Hacks:
- Master the Spice: Gochujang's spice level can vary. Start with a smaller amount and gradually add more until it hits your preferred heat. You can always add more, but you can't take it away!
- Pasta Water Magic: Don't skip reserving some pasta water! It's rich in starch and helps the sauce emulsify and cling beautifully to the pasta, giving it that restaurant-quality finish.
- Prep Ahead: Chop your spring onions while the pasta boils to save precious minutes.
Related Articles
Looking for more easy and delicious vegan recipes? Check out these articles on abillion:
- Discover another quick and savory meal with our Quick & Creamy Vegan Cheesy Pasta.
- If you love creamy pasta dishes, you might also enjoy our Easy Creamy Vegan Roasted Vegetable Farfalle Pasta (Dairy-Free Weeknight Meal).
- Explore more Korean-inspired flavors with our Quick & Easy Homemade Vegan Kimchi.
- For another speedy meal idea, try our Quick & Easy High-Protein Vegan Tofu Noodle Stir-Fry Recipe.
- Unlock more umami-rich recipes by exploring how to Unlock Umami in your cooking.
Ready to try this amazing Gochujang pasta? We'd love to see your creations! Share your photos and tag abillion on social media, or leave a review on the abillion app. Your feedback helps our community discover incredible plant-based meals!
