Chaos Cooking Kimchi Ragu Pasta (Printable)

A bold fusion of spicy kimchi and savory ragu with creamy pasta and fresh garnishes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 10.5 oz ground pork (or beef or a 50/50 blend)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 7 oz Napa cabbage kimchi, chopped
05 - 2 tbsp kimchi juice
06 - 1 medium carrot, finely diced
07 - 1 stalk celery, finely diced

→ Liquids & Dairy

08 - 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream (or unsweetened plant-based cream alternative)
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp soy sauce

→ Pasta

12 - 12 oz rigatoni or penne

→ Spices & Seasonings

13 - 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), optional
14 - 1 tsp sugar
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes

16 - 2 tbsp finely chopped scallions
17 - 0.9 oz grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground pork or beef, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
04 - Mix in chopped kimchi and kimchi juice, sautéing for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, soy sauce, gochugaru (if using), sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
06 - Prepare pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup pasta water.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Stir heavy cream and half the reserved pasta water into the ragu, mixing until creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Toss cooked pasta with the ragu, adding additional pasta water as needed for a smooth, silky sauce.
09 - Plate the pasta and garnish with scallions and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes familiar comfort food and wakes it up with a spicy, tangy kick you didnt know you needed.
  • The kimchi juice adds depth without extra effort, turning ordinary ragu into something unforgettable.
  • Its bold enough to impress guests but forgiving enough for a weeknight dinner.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have fully melted together.
02 -
  • Dont rinse the pasta after draining—the starch on the surface helps the sauce cling and makes everything creamier.
  • Add the cream off high heat so it doesnt break or curdle, keeping the sauce smooth and luscious.
  • Taste your kimchi before you start—if its super spicy, dial back the gochugaru or skip it entirely.
  • Reserve more pasta water than you think youll need, its your secret weapon for adjusting the sauces consistency at the end.
03 -
  • Let the ragu simmer low and slow—rushing it means you miss out on the deep, melded flavors that make this dish sing.
  • Use a wider pasta shape like rigatoni or penne so the chunky sauce gets trapped inside every bite.
  • If the sauce tastes too acidic, a small pinch of sugar (beyond the teaspoon already in there) will round it out without making it sweet.
  • Dont be shy with the pasta water—it contains starch that helps emulsify the sauce into something silky and cohesive.
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