Creamy cheese macaroni topped with sweet-spicy Korean turkey seasoned with gochujang, garlic, and sesame.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 2 cups whole milk
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Korean-Style Ground Turkey
09 - 1 pound ground turkey
10 - 2 tablespoons gochujang
11 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon honey
13 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
16 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
→ Garnish
17 - 4 scallions, thinly sliced
18 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
# Directions:
01 - Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until combined.
03 - Gradually add the milk to the roux while whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
05 - In a separate skillet over medium-high heat, add sesame oil. Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
06 - Stir in the gochujang, soy sauce, and honey. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the turkey is well-coated and the sauce is slightly thickened. Add the red pepper flakes if desired. Remove from heat.
07 - Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring until fully coated and creamy. Fold in half of the Korean-style turkey mixture.
08 - Divide the mac and cheese among serving bowls. Top each portion with the remaining turkey crumbles, sliced scallions, and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
