10-Minute Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne with Gochujang: A Fusion Comfort Food Delight! -

Spread the love

This Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne with Gochujang is the ultimate comfort food that combines Italian and Korean flavors in a creamy, cheesy, and spicy dish. Gnocchi and lasagne meet gochujang—a Korean fermented chili paste—in this innovative and flavorful fusion.

Perfect for dinner parties or cozy nights in, this dish is simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress. With layers of gochujang-infused ragu, a silky béchamel sauce, and a cheesy gnocchi base, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both unique and unforgettable.

Black casserole dish filled with gochujang gnocchi lasagne with wooden spoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe: Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne

Fusion Flavor: A delicious mix of Italian gnocchi and lasagne paired with bold, spicy Korean gochujang.
Simple to Make: Just prepare a quick ragu, stir up a béchamel sauce, layer it with gnocchi, and bake.
Perfect for Sharing: It’s hearty, cheesy, and guaranteed to have everyone coming back for seconds.

What Is Gochujang? Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made from red chili flakes, fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, and salt. It’s sweet, spicy, and umami-packed, adding depth to any dish. Whether you’re making marinades, sauces, or this gnocchi lasagne, gochujang is a must-have in your kitchen.

Ingredients & Substitutions: Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne

Red Onion: Adds sweetness and flavor. White onion or shallots work too.
Garlic: Fresh cloves are best, but ½ tsp garlic granules can substitute.
Spring Onion: For garnish and extra flavor.
Ground Beef: Use 20% fat beef for richness or lean beef for a lighter option. For a vegetarian twist, try mushrooms, tofu, or plant-based mince.
Smoked Paprika: Adds warmth and a smoky kick.
Sugar: Balances flavors; substitute with honey or brown sugar.
Gochujang: The star ingredient, delivering spicy and savory depth.
Tomato Paste & Tinned Tomatoes: Add a rich tomato base to the ragu.
Gnocchi: Store-bought works perfectly for this recipe.
Béchamel Sauce: Made with butter, flour, and milk. Use plant-based alternatives for vegan versions.
Cheddar, Parmesan, Mozzarella: The ultimate cheesy trio. Swap for vegan cheese if needed.

How to Make Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne

Prepare the Gochujang Ragu:
- Sauté onion, garlic, and spring onion until softened. Add ground beef, smoked paprika, and sugar, cooking until browned.
- Stir in gochujang, tomato paste, and tinned tomatoes. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes to develop flavors.
Make the Béchamel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Add grated cheddar and parmesan, stirring until melted.
Assemble the Lasagne:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased baking dish, spread a layer of ragu, followed by gnocchi, béchamel sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with béchamel and mozzarella on top.
Bake:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for Success: Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne

Balance the Heat: Adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your spice preference.
Layer Evenly: Spread the sauces and cheese evenly for the best results.
Cheese Lover’s Dream: Add extra mozzarella on top for a gooey, golden crust.

Instructions : Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne

Grab your gnocchi ragu casserole dish and evenly pour the béchamel sauce over it. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and clumps of mozzarella cheese. Place in the oven for 30 minutes until bubbling and hot. Then serve up and enjoy!

Begin by frying off the onion, garlic, and spring onion in an oven-proof casserole dish for 5 minutes or until the onions become soft.

Then, add in the beef mince and fry for a further 5 minutes. Next up, add in the paprika, sugar, gochujang, tomato paste, tinned tomatoes, and 200ml chicken/beef stock. Give everything a good stir and fry for a further 5-10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper based on your preferences.

Pour in your gnocchi and combine until everything is well coated. Turn off the heat and set it aside.

To make the béchamel sauce, place a pan on medium heat and add in your butter. Next, drizzle with flour and using a hand whisk, mix until the flour and butter combine.

Gently pour in the milk bit by bit and whisk continuously until a viscous milky white sauce is created. Keep whisking to avoid any lumps. You want the sauce to be a thick pancake batter type mixture.

Next up, season with salt and pepper, then add in the cheddar, and parmesan. Whisk, taste, and season according to your preferences.

Preheat your oven to 200C/390F.

Serving Suggestions

This Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne is perfect on its own, but you can pair it with:

A simple green salad for freshness.
Garlic bread to scoop up every cheesy bite.
A glass of red wine or sparkling water to complement the flavors.

Notes

Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.

To double quantity: This recipe can be doubled to make the dish for 6-8 people. You may need a large casserole dish.

Top Tips:

Add more gochujang paste into the ragu if you like it extra spicy and umami-rich.
When making the béchamel, make sure to pour the milk in really slowly and whisk thoroughly to remove any lumps.
You can prep the whole dish in advance and then when you’re ready to serve up, place it in the oven for 30 minutes and then serve up and enjoy!

What to do with leftovers:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also tightly cover the baking dish with a couple of layers of kitchen foil to store – I did this for a couple of days and then reheated it in the oven and it was perfect!

To freeze, place in airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, leave to defrost in the fridge and then either heat up in the microwave until piping hot, or place in an oven-proof dish and heat in the oven at 200C/390F for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 1074kcal Carbohydrates: 73g Protein: 49gFat: 66g Saturated Fat: 30g Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 24g Trans Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 188mg Sodium: 1309mgPotassium: 1061mg Fiber: 6g Sugar: 15g Vitamin A: 1639IU Vitamin C: 14mg Calcium: 626mg Iron: 9mg

Conclusion

If you’re a fan of fusion dishes or simply love bold, comforting flavors, this Spicy Gnocchi Lasagne with Gochujang is for you. Easy to make and full of cheesy, creamy, spicy goodness, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to time and again. Whether for a dinner party or a cozy meal at home, this dish is guaranteed to wow everyone at the table. Enjoy the perfect harmony of Italian and Korean flavors in every bite!