Description
This Creamy Korean Ssamjang Pasta is an innovative fusion dish that brings together the bold, umami flavors of Korean ssamjang with creamy Italian pasta. Designed to redefine weeknight dinners, this recipe combines crispy pork belly, savory sauce, and Parmesan cheese for a satisfying and flavorful meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 300 g Pasta (Any type, cooked al dente)
- 200 g Pork Belly (can be substituted with chicken or tofu)
Sauce and Toppings
- 3 tbsp Ssamjang (Korean fermented chili paste with soybean)
- 50 g Parmesan Cheese (or nutritional yeast for dairy-free option)
- 2 stalks Green Onions (thinly sliced; can substitute with chives or leeks)
Optional
- 1 Egg (optional for extra creaminess; flax egg as vegan alternative)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Cook Pork Belly: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the sliced pork belly for 5-7 minutes until it becomes browned and crispy. Remove it from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet. Add the reserved pasta water and stir in the ssamjang paste, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce becomes smooth and well combined.
- Toss Pasta and Pork: Add the drained pasta and cooked pork belly back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes to ensure the pasta is well coated and the flavors are blended. Adjust the creaminess by adding more reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, topping it with grated Parmesan cheese and thinly sliced green onions. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a vegetarian or vegan version, substitute pork belly with tofu and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- You can add an egg or flax egg during the sauce preparation step to increase creaminess.
- Adjust the amount of ssamjang according to your spice tolerance as it can be quite pungent and salty.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of pasta water used when mixing the sauce.
- Green onions add fresh crispness; alternatives include chives or leeks for different flavor profiles.
