The jalapeno spaghetti coated with rich, creamy parmesan cheese is like heaven served over the dinner table. The perfectly balanced creamy sauce blended with jalapeno flavors is just mesmerizing.
This delicious jalapeno spaghetti recipe bursts with bright and delightful flavors you will love.
Why do we all love this recipe?
Perfectly Balanced Texture. The pasta in this jalapeno spaghetti recipe has a highly satisfying, beautiful texture.
Creamy and Zesty Sauce. The sauce is the star of this recipe(like this spicy alfredo sauce). It's creamy, rich, and packed with zesty flavors that bring a burst of deliciousness to every bite.
Flavor Fusion. Do you like incorporating spiciness into the dinner menu with this spicy penne pasta and spicy marinara sauce? The flavors of jalapeno and cheese complement each other perfectly, creating a delicious dinner meal especially for you.
Worth the Effort. While this recipe may require a little time and effort, trust us when we say it's worth it. The incredible flavors, textures, and overall deliciousness make it a recipe that will satisfy and fulfill you (Spicy chicken pasta is another recipe to mention here).
Ingredients
Spaghetti. Its thin, cylindrical shape is a classic pasta type that is excellent at holding onto our creamy sauce. Linguine or Fettuccine would make worthy substitutes.
Olive oil. Its subtly fruity flavor provides an excellent base for sautéing our jalapenos and garlic.
Jalapeno. The jalapenos are the flavor providers. They add that exciting heat and a unique tangy-spicy flavor, making the dish lively and vibrant.
Garlic. It brings a warm, robust flavor to our dish
Chicken broth. The broth acts as a flavor enhancer and body to the sauce. This is good to swap with vegetable or beef broth.
Heavy cream. Cream is the key to our luscious, velvety sauce. If you're after a lighter version or need a dairy-free option, try almond or oat milk mixed with cornstarch. Coconut milk is another option; note that it will give a subtle tropical hint.
Parmesan cheese. This jalapeno spaghetti has a salty, nutty, and umami kick. It enhances the overall flavor profile from delicious to genuinely delectable.
Fresh parsley. It provides a beautiful color contrast and adds a hint of herbs, breaking through the rich and spicy flavors.
How to make
Make sure your jalapenos are deseeded if you want less heat.
Cooking the Spaghetti
Over medium to high heat, fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil.
Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente (firm to the bite), which usually takes 8-10 minutes.
Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
Preparing the Jalapeno Sauce
While the spaghetti is cooking, you can start preparing the sauce.
Over medium heat, place a pan and add olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped onion.
Stir continuously until the garlic is fragrant.
Then add finely chopped jalapeno and cook until the jalapeños are tender and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Then add the chopped tomato(or if you use diced tomato, add it with the juice). Cook them in medium heat until the tomatoes become soft.
Combining other ingredients
Add heavy cream, dried parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. And turn the heat to low-medium.
Toss the spaghetti
Finally, add the cooked spaghetti and grated mild cheddar cheese to the pan. And toss well to ensure that every strand is coated with the spicy, jalapeno-flavored sauce.
Transfer to the serving plates, and sprinkle generous amounts of grated parmesan cheese. You can sprinkle some freshly chopped jalapenos for an extra kick.
How to store?
Prepare the Leftovers. After enjoying your meal, allow the jalapeno spaghetti to cool to room temperature(not beyond more than two hours at room temperature).
In the Refrigerator. Place the cooled spaghetti into an airtight container to maintain its delectable freshness. Properly stored, it can last 3-5 days.
Freezing Your Spaghetti. For long-term storage, place your container in the freezer. This method preserves your spaghetti for up to 2 months.
To thaw. Place your spicy spaghetti overnight in the fridge. Or, use your microwave's defrost setting to melt instantly.
To reheat. Use either the microwave or stovetop to reheat. In the microwave, heat for 2 minutes, stir, then continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot. On the stovetop, add them to a pan over medium heat. Stir frequently until evenly heated.
Make-Ahead Jalapeno Spaghetti.
Cook sauce & spaghetti as per recipe. Let it cool and store separately in airtight containers in the fridge (up to 2-3 days). To serve, heat sauce in a pan, add spaghetti, toss till hot. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy! This prep makes dinner parties or weeknight meals quick & easy.
Variations
Seafood. Try adding sautéed shrimp or calamari into the sauce.
With veggies. Toss roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant.
For vegan. You can also sprinkle some nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan alternative.
Smoky Jalapeno Spaghetti. Give your dish a smoky spin by incorporating a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle(or with this jalapeno hot sauce). It adds a lovely depth of flavor and complements the heat of the jalapenos.
How to adjust the heat in case you find it hot?
- The majority of the heat in jalapenos comes from their seeds and membranes. Remove them to reduce the spiciness while maintaining the flavor.
- Start adding a smaller amount of jalapenos and gradually increase to your desired level of spiciness.
- Enhance your Jalapeno Spaghetti with cooling elements such as sour cream or lime juice.
Frequently asked questions
It can be as spicy as you want it to be. You can adjust the heat using less jalapeno or removing the seeds and ribs.
Absolutely! You can use any pasta you have on hand. The dish will still be delicious, though the texture and sauce-to-pasta ratio may vary slightly.
Certainly! Substitute the cheese with a vegan-friendly alternative or nutritional yeast for a vegetarian version.
Printable recipe card
Jalapeño Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 jalapeños finely chopped (deseeded if you want less heat)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 large tomato chopped (or one 14-ounce can of diced tomato with juice)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
Cooking the Spaghetti
- Over medium to high heat, fill a large pot with water.
- Add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil.
- Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente (firm to the bite), usually 8-10 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
Preparing the Jalapeño Sauce
- While the spaghetti is cooking, place a pan over medium heat.
- Add olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Stir until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add finely chopped jalapeno and cook until tender and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Add the chopped tomato (or diced tomato with juice). Cook on medium heat until the tomato becomes soft.
Combining Other Ingredients
- Add heavy cream, dried parsley, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Turn the heat to low-medium.
Toss the Spaghetti:
- Add the cooked spaghetti and grated mild cheddar cheese to the pan.
- Toss well to ensure that every strand is coated with the spicy, jalapeño-flavored sauce.
Serving
- Transfer to serving plates.
- Sprinkle generous amounts of grated Parmesan cheese.
- For an extra kick, sprinkle some freshly chopped jalapeños on top.
Notes
- After eating, cool the spaghetti to room temp (within 2 hours).
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- To thaw, place in the fridge overnight or use the microwave's defrost setting.
- Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes, then in 30-second intervals, or on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring until hot.
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