Kelsey Murphy, winner of MasterChef US Season 11, hails from Chicago and now lives in Indianapolis with her husband and three children. Specializing in Modern American Cuisine, Kelsey’s culinary roots are deeply influenced by her Italian and Polish upbringing, where food was at the heart of family gatherings, especially the cherished Sunday dinners. Over the years, Kelsey has continued to teach herself new techniques and experiment with flavors, always focused on bringing new twists to classic comfort food. 

One of Kelsey's signature ingredients is gochujang, a traditional Korean fermented chili paste. This spicy, sweet, and umami-rich ingredient brings a unique depth to dishes. Today, Kelsey puts an Asian twist on a classic American favorite with her Rustic Mac and Cheese with a Korean Kick - a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for anyone seeking new and exciting flavor combinations. 

Make the Dish: 

Servings: 2 
Prep Time: 10 minutes 
Cook Time: 20 minutes 

Equipment: 

• Oven-safe pan 

• Chopping board 

• Cheese grater 

• Saucepan 

• Immersion blender 

Ingredients: 

Cheese Sauce: 

• 2 cups heavy cream 

• 1½ tbsp gochujang (adjust to taste) 

• 1 cup grated processed American cheese 

• 1 cup grated cheddar-gruyere blend 

• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese 

• Salt and pepper (to taste) 

Crunchy Topping: 

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs 

• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes 

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes 

• Drizzle of oil (for browning) 

Assembly: 

• 8 oz pasta (cooked al dente) 

• Optional: additional grated cheese for extra cheesiness 

Directions: 

Step 1: 
Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it simmers. Whisk in the gochujang until fully combined. Gradually add the cheeses, stirring gently, and blend with an immersion blender to create a smooth, silky sauce. 

Step 2: 
In a bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, coconut flakes, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. 

Step 3: 
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Strain and add to an oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta, mixing to coat evenly. 

Step 4: 
Sprinkle the crunchy topping evenly over the mac and cheese. Drizzle a bit of oil over the topping for browning. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Once golden brown and bubbling, remove from the broiler. Serve directly from the skillet for a rustic presentation. 

Watch here: MasterChef Recipe - US Winner Kelsey's Gochujang Mac & Cheese