Gochujang Mac and Cheese Toastie
Creamy cheddar and mozzarella mac and cheese spiked with gochujang, spring onions, and black sesame seeds, served between buttered and toasted sourdough slices. A spicy-umami twist on the classic comfort sandwich.
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz dried macaroni
- 1 ¾ tbsp unsalted butter
- unsalted butter, for frying
- ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅝ cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 ¾ oz mature cheddar, coarsely gratedgruyere1:1cheesedairy-free
adds sharper flavor
- 2 ¾ oz mozzarella, torn into small pieces
- 2 tsp gochujang
- 3 green onions, finely sliced
- 1 tbsp black sesame seedswhite sesame seeds1:1garnish
no flavor change
- 4 large slices sourdough
Instructions
- 1
Bring salted water to boil in a pan. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, then drain.
- 2
Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in flour and cook for a minute.
- 3
Slowly whisk in warmed milk bit by bit until smooth, then allow to thicken for a few minutes.
- 4
Beat in cheddar and mozzarella until melted. Stir in gochujang, green onions, and sesame seeds.
- 5
Add cooked pasta and stir together well.
- 6
Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Butter one side of each bread slice.
- 7
Place two slices butter-side down in the pan. Spoon mac and cheese onto each slice.
- 8
Top with remaining bread, buttered-side out. Flip after a minute or two and cook until toasted.
Tips
Add gochujang gradually and taste to adjust heat level before assembling sandwiches.
Butter the pan-facing sides of bread for even toasting and prevent sticking.
Good to Know
Mac and cheese filling refrigerates up to 2 days; reheat gently before assembling sandwiches.
Prepare mac and cheese filling up to 2 hours ahead and store warm or reheat before assembly.
Serve immediately while bread is warm and cheese is melted.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip whisking milk slowly into the roux to avoid lumps in the sauce.
Do not let the pasta cook beyond al dente to avoid mushy texture in the finished sandwich.
Do not flip the sandwich too early to avoid cheese escaping before the bread crisps.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
no flavor change