Spicy Bacon Broccoli Orecchiette

Why try this spicy pasta recipe?

• It’s incredibly flavorful, but also super versatile—feel free to add mushrooms or skip the broccoli altogether.
• This dish is super creamy, hearty and quick to make – ready in just 20 minutes!
• The best part? It’s easy to prepare and gives you just the right amount of spice—a nice kick without being overwhelming. You can easily adjust the heat to your liking.

Follow my step-by-step VIDEO or join me on YouTube to cook along!

What is gochujang paste?

Gochujang is the ultimate thickener, offering a perfect balance of heat and flavor. For those unfamiliar, it’s a traditional Korean chili paste made from chili peppers and thickened with glutinous rice. This rich, scarlet-red paste is spicy with a hint of sweetness. The name “gochujang” comes from the Korean words “gochu,” meaning chili peppers, and “jang,” meaning fermented paste.

Used for centuries in Korean cuisine, gochujang has recently gained global popularity due to its incredible versatility. Whether in soups, stir-fries, marinades, rubs, or even pasta sauces, its deep umami flavor brings warmth, tang, and vibrancy to any dish. With its addictive sweet-spicy kick and gorgeous color, it’s no wonder people can’t get enough of it!

From gochujang mayonnaise to Gochujang eggplant with pork and rice or Coconut gochujang noodle soup, you can incorporated this condiment into recipes of all kinds. I also love adding it to my Spicy coconut chicken meatballs.

Spicy bacon broccoli pasta ingredients

• Pasta: Orecchiette is fantastic in this creamy sauce, but if you can’t find it, any short pasta shape that holds and traps sauce will work well.
• Broccoli: Adds texture, flavor, and nutrition to the dish.
• Bacon: You can use salty bacon bits, pancetta, or turkey bacon for a lighter option.
• Onion and Garlic: Essential for a flavorful sauce—be sure to use freshly chopped!
• Tomato Paste: Provides extra flavor and a deeper color to the sauce.
• Gochujang Paste: Adds rich flavor without overwhelming heat; feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste.
• Cream: Heavy cream creates a smooth, thick sauce, but you can also use soy cream or unsweetened coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative.

Can I use other pasta shapes instead of orecchiette?

Absolutely! If you’re looking for pasta shapes that hold and trap sauce just as well as orecchiette, here are some excellent alternatives:

• Conchiglie (Shells): Shaped like small shells, they’re perfect for capturing sauce in their curves.
• Farfalle (Bow-Tie): The folds and ridges of farfalle do a great job of holding onto sauces.
• Cavatelli: These small, rolled pasta shapes have a hollow center that catches sauce beautifully.
• Fusilli: With its twisted spiral shape, fusilli clings to sauces effortlessly.
• Penne Rigate: The ridged, tubular shape of penne rigate helps retain sauce inside and out.
• Rotini: Spirals with grooves that trap sauce in every twist.

These pasta shapes are great for thick, hearty sauces or those with chunky ingredients!

Is there a substitution for gochujang paste?

If you don’t have gochujang on hand, don’t worry! Here are a few tasty alternatives you can try:

• Miso + Chili Flakes: Mix red miso (for a closer flavor match) with red chili flakes to achieve a nice balance of umami and heat.
• Sriracha + Soy Sauce: Combine sriracha for a spicy kick with soy sauce to add savory depth to your dish.
• Chili Paste + Sugar: Use a basic chili paste, like sambal oelek, and stir in a touch of brown sugar for sweetness.

Feel free to adjust the ratios to match your taste preferences!

Recipe tips

• Adjust the Gochujang: Feel free to add gochujang to your taste! I’ve found that 2 tablespoons strike the perfect balance, providing a delightful kick to offset the creaminess of the sauce.
• Finish with Butter: For an extra glossy sauce, finish it off with a knob of butter. It adds richness and enhances the overall flavor.
• Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh Italian parsley or some grated Parmesan makes a lovely garnish that elevates the dish.
• Try Different Ingredients: For a twist, consider adding mushrooms or substituting them for bacon for a delicious vegetarian version.
• Boost Your Veggie Intake: Swap the broccoli or pack in more vegetables by adding sliced zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach while cooking the bacon.

Store and Reheat

• If you have leftover pasta, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, simply use a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. For that creamy texture, you might want to add a splash of extra cream as it warms up.
• You can also freeze this pasta! Just place it in airtight containers and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.