Gochujang Buttered Noodles
These garlicky, buttery noodles are perfect for when you need a stellar pantry meal lickety-split. A packet of fresh or even instant ramen speeds up the meal prep and is ideal when cooking for one (see Tip). Honey and sherry vinegar round out gochujang’s deep heat into a mellowness that’s at once sweet, savory and tangy. The brick-red butter sauce, emulsified with a splash of the pasta cooking water, coats spaghetti here, but you can use whatever noodles you like.
- 1 pound spaghetti or other long pasta
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12 garlic cloves, finely chopped (about ⅓ cup)
- Salt and pepper
- ¼ cup gochujang paste (not sauce; see Tip)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup sherry vinegar or rice vinegar
- Finely chopped cilantro or thinly sliced scallions (optional)