Korean-Style Turkey Mac & Cheese (Printable)

Creamy mac and cheese topped with sweet-spicy Korean seasoned turkey and fresh scallions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz elbow macaroni

→ 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 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook 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 butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk while whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
03 - Lower heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
04 - In a separate skillet over medium-high heat, add sesame oil. Sauté minced garlic and grated ginger for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, approximately 5-6 minutes.
05 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, and honey. Cook for 2-3 minutes until turkey is well-coated and sauce slightly thickens. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Remove from heat.
06 - Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce, stirring until fully coated and creamy. Fold in half of the turkey mixture.
07 - Divide mac and cheese among serving bowls. Top each with remaining turkey crumbles, sliced scallions, and sesame seeds if desired.
08 - Serve immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Sweet & Spicy Harmony: The combination of honey and gochujang provides a perfect balance to the rich, sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Protein-Packed: Ground turkey turns this comfort food into a satisfying main dish.
  • Quick Weeknight Win: Ready in just 45 minutes using common pantry staples and simple techniques.
02 -
  • Heat Control: Gochujang varies in heat levels between brands; adjust the amount to suit your spice tolerance.
  • Prep Ahead: Grate your cheese and mince your aromatics before you start cooking the pasta to keep the process moving quickly.
  • Texture Check: If the cheese sauce becomes too thick while waiting, stir in a splash of warm milk to loosen it up.
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