Asian Pasta

In this fusion-inspired recipe, I combine the rich umami of gochujang, the savory depth of fish sauce, and the aromatic touch of star anise in this Asian Pasta. It has bold, yet distinctive flavours of Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese flair. It’s so tasty, you will love this!

Who knew that a classic Italian staple like pasta can have Asian flavours? The spicy kick from gochujang, the salty depth from fish sauce, and the aroma from star anise adds so much flavour to the sauce. Trust me, this works! Bonus part is there is minimal prep and it’s ready in 30 minutes!

Looking for More Fusion Recipes? Check These Out!

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What is Asian Pasta?

Each bite offers a delicious blend of East-meets-West flavors, with the gochujang, fish sauce, and star anise playing starring roles in this dish. The predominant flavours are Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese. Don’t knock it til you try it! Gochujang gives a spicy and umami touch. The fish sauce and soy sauce adds a savoury part. Plus, the star anise infuses the classic Chinese flair.

Here’s Why You Will Love Asian Pasta

• Unforgettable flavour: The combination of all my favourite Asian flavours create an unforgettable taste that’s exciting.
• No fancy equipment needed: All you need are basic kitchen items: two pots, measuring spoons, cutting board and knife.
• Great weeknight dinner: This quick and easy recipe is ready in 30 minutes so it’s great for the busy weeknights. I know I am always looking to cook up something quick and easy.
• Minimal prep: Besides mincing the garlic, Asian Pasta is made with ground meat so no cutting is involved!
• Simple: You can make this recipe regardless of your cooking skill level. It’s very easy to make.
• Great for meal prepping: You can make this sauce ahead of time, reheat it and spoon it over noodles when you are ready to eat.

Equipment and Tools to Make Asian Pasta

Pots: To boil pasta and make sauce

Cutting board and knife: To mince garlic

Measuring spoons and cups: To measure seasonings and other ingredients

Ingredients

Alright, let’s make our shopping list! To make this recipe, you will need…

Pasta: Long or short cut pasta works for this sauce. Today is penne! Spaghetti and rigotoni works too!

Ground beef and pork: Taking the time to sear the beef will give you all the flavour!

Gochujang, light soy sauce, fish sauce and star anise: A blend of Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese flair is the flavouring agent.

Canned whole tomatoes and tomato paste: This forms the tomato base of the sauce.

Garlic: I love garlic so much!

Parmesan cheese, basil, cilantro, salt and pepper: To finish the Asian Pasta!

How to Make Asian Pasta

Let’s make this dish!

Prepare the meat. Over high heat, spread ground beef in pan. Allow to sear for 5 minutes until a golden colour appears. Add ground pork and break up with spatula. Stir until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.

Make the sauce. Add garlic to the meat and cook for one minute. Add in gochujang and tomato paste. Stir until well combined. Reduce heat to low to medium. Next, add light soy sauce, fish sauce, star anise and canned tomatoes. Break up tomatoes with spatula. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Cook the pasta. In the meantime, boil salted water and cook your favourite pasta until al dente. I use penne today. This recipe works well with spaghetti and rigotoni.

Serve and garnish. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to sauce. Toss pasta and sauce until well combined. Divide into bowls. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and cilantro, if using.

Asian Pasta Options and Substitutions

Want to mix things up with this recipe? Feel free to…

• Adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing the amount of gochujang according to your preference.
• Use other types of protein, like ground chicken, can work for this dish.
• Make a vegetarian option, consider using tofu, mushrooms or edamame for a protein boost.
• Add honey instead of sugar to balance out the flavours.
• Use long cut pasta, such as fettuccine and spaghetti, or short cut pasta, such as rigatoni or penne and it will still be just as tasty!
• Substitute star anise with a cinnamon stick or cloves for a different aromatic twist.
• Add some fresh green onions or parsley to brighten the dish.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigeration: If you have any leftover sauce, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to label the container with the date for easy reference. If possible, refrigerate the pasta and sauce separately. Otherwise, the noodles will absorb the liquid.

Freezing: If you want to extend the shelf life of your sauce, you can freeze it. Pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container or freezer bags. Remove any excess air and seal tightly. The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Do not freeze the sauce together with pasta.

Reheating on the stove top: To reheat the sauce, place it in a sauce pan over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to adjust the consistency if the sauce thickens while reheating. Heat until the sauce is warmed through.

Reheating in the microwave: If you prefer using a microwave, transfer a portion of the sauce to a microwave safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Heat the sauce in short intervals, stirring in between, to prevent any hot spots.

Make Ahead Options

You can make the sauce ahead of time and leave it in the fridge for up to 3 days; then toss together with the pasta when you’re ready to serve. The sauce will become more flavourful in the fridge.

Recipe Tips

Taste the sauce before adding it to the pasta and adjust the quantities of gochujang, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar to achieve a balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and savoury flavors.

Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure that meat cooks evenly and develops a nice sear.

Serve this pasta with a side of salad.

Make sure to only cook the pasta to al dente. Overcooking the pasta will result in mushy noodles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Asian Pasta taste like? Each bite offers a delicious blend of East-meets-West flavors, with the gochujang, fish sauce, and star anise playing starring roles in this dish. The predominant flavours are Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese. Don’t knock it til you try it! Gochujang gives a spicy and umami touch. The fish sauce and soy sauce adds a savoury part. Plus, the star anise infuses the classic Chinese flair.

What noodles should I use with Asian Pasta? Use long cut pasta, such as fettuccine and spaghetti, or short cut pasta, such as rigatoni or penne and it will still be just as tasty!

Is Asian Pasta healthy? The sauce uses a lot of tomatoes – which are high in antioxidants, Vitamin B and C. Because you make the sauce from scratch, you control the quality and quantity of ingredients. Moderation and balance are key.

Hungry for More Noodle Recipes?

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Lastly, if you make my Asian Pasta be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.