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Kimchi Lasagna

Kimchi Lasagna

Bold, Spicy, Korean-Italian Comfort Food
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean-Italian Fusion
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 9 –12 lasagna sheets cooked if required
  • 2 cups chopped kimchi drained (reserve 2 tbsp kimchi juice)
  • 1 lb 450 g ground beef or pork
  • 2 cups marinara sauce or homemade tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
  3. Brown meat: Add ground meat, breaking it up as it cooks. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Mix sauce: Stir in marinara sauce, gochujang, kimchi, and reserved kimchi juice. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
  5. Prepare cheese layer: In a bowl, mix ricotta with ¼ cup Parmesan.
  6. Assemble:
  7. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
  8. Add lasagna sheets.
  9. Spread ricotta mix, then meat sauce, then mozzarella.
  10. Repeat layers, finishing with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan.
  11. Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more until cheese is golden and bubbling.
  12. Rest & serve: Let sit 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley or green onions.

Notes

  • If you like a milder flavor, rinse your kimchi briefly before chopping to tone down the spice.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based meat.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day because the flavors have more time to blend.
  • You can prepare the lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate before baking. Just add 10–15 minutes to baking time if it’s going in cold.