Make this Green Spaghetti recipe for a fun and flavorful twist on the classic pasta dish! It features a creamy poblano pepper sauce with a gorgeous bright green hue and the perfect amount of kick.
This easy-to-make pasta dinner is an ideal blend of fresh ingredients and easy prep. You’ll love this dish as your next weeknight dinner!
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💚 About This Recipe
Spaghetti is a classic dinner in my house. It's so easy to cook up a pot of noodles, add a jar of store bought sauce, and pair with a quick veggie!
But sometimes I want something that's a little different. This pasta verde doesn't just take spaghetti and turn it green--it includes a delicious peppery sauce with a kick of heat!
This spaghetti dish rivals my One Pot Spicy Thai Noodles and this One Pot Lemon Pasta when it comes to easy dinners for busy weeknights.
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- spaghetti - you can use any kind of pasta, but I love the classic simplicity and familiarity of spaghetti paired with the creamy sauce.
- poblano peppers - these are what give your sauce its gorgeous green color and slightly spicy flavor.
- white onion - provides a savory, slightly sweet base note that complements the fresh, herbaceous flavors of the pasta verde.
- garlic - I love using jarred minced garlic for easy prep, but feel free to mince a few cloves of garlic if you really prefer that fresh garlic flavor.
- bouillon - an easy way to quickly and easily pack lots of flavor into your pepper sauce.
- sour cream - ensures a nice creamy sauce with a hint of tang.
- butter - makes the sauce rich and luscious.
🔪 Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set to the side.
- Chop the poblano peppers.
- Cut onions into smaller pieces as well.
- Add peppers and onions to a food processor with minced garlic and bouillon. Process until combined.
- After processed, add the sour cream and process until smooth.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, then add the sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the sauce and mix until everything is coated well and the sauce is evenly distributed.
❔ FAQs
Don't worry, this isn't just noodles colored green with food dye! Mexican green spaghetti (also called pasta verde) turns poblano peppers into a creamy green poblano sauce with just the right amount of heat.
In Italian, this literally translates as "to the tooth" and refers to pasta that's fully cooked but still has a firm consistency. This is widely regarded as the superior way to cook your pasta!
Poblano peppers are considered mild to medium in heat. They are milder than jalapeños but can still add a bit of warmth to dishes.
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Feel free to make a batch and a half or even a double batch of the sauce if you like your green spaghetti super saucy.
- Add a garnish of fresh herbs like parsley, fresh cilantro, or fresh basil, or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, queso fresco, or cotija cheese.
- A typical box of spaghetti will be al dente in about 8 minutes.
- Be sure to give the sauce a taste before mixing in the pasta. You may need to add a bit of salt and black pepper.
- Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. If you find you don't have enough pasta sauce to fully coat the noodles, you can add pasta water for some more liquid.
📌 Make this spaghetti verde for a zesty new take on pasta night! You'll love the slight kick from the creamy poblano sauce.
💡 Substitutions and Variations
- Feel free to use another kind of pasta if you prefer.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the sauce to widen the flavor profile with some citrus zing.
- Roast the poblano peppers before processing for an even more flavorful result. You can do this right over the flame of your stove, or roast them in your oven under the broiler. Remove the skins and seeds before slicing and processing the roasted poblano peppers.
- Change up the sauce by adding ingredients like cream cheese, Mexican crema, cilantro, and even other peppers like serrano peppers or jalapeño peppers.
- Give your sauce a more complex flavor by using roasted garlic cloves.
- Another great way to thicken the sauce is to add some avocado. (This fits the green theme as well!)
- For a sauce with the same general flavor but without the heat, use green bell peppers.
- Make this dish more nutritious by adding some fresh baby spinach.
🥫 Storage and Reheating
Allow leftover green spaghetti to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat by adding a splash of liquid (water, milk, chicken stock, etc.) and microwave or heat over the stove.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Pair pasta verde with a flavorful side dish like Fiesta Chicken Salad or these Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits. Some other great options are Air Fryer Corn Ribs or a family favorite: Cornbread Casserole!
✔️ More Pasta Recipes You'll Love
- White Wine Shrimp Pasta with Arugula - Seafood lovers will love this light and healthy pasta dish with a refreshing and savory wine sauce!
- Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta - The combination of earthy mushrooms and healthy spinach make this comforting pasta dish perfect for a nutritious dinner.
- 20 Minute Creamy Pesto Pasta - Can't get enough green pasta? Make this easy 20-minute dinner that features yummy green pesto sauce.
- Air Fryer Pasta Chips - If you love pasta, this unique air fried snack from Cocktails and Appetizers is a must-try!
Pasta Verde Recipe
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📋 Recipe Card
Green Spaghetti (With Creamy Poblano Pepper Sauce)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 2 poblano peppers
- ½ onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 bouillon cube
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt & pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, drain and set aside.16 ounces spaghetti
- While the spaghetti is cooking, trim and cut into pieces the peppers and the onion.2 poblano peppers, ½ onion
- Place the pepper and onion pieces in a food processor, along with the garlic and the bouillon cube. Pulse a few times to break down the vegetables.1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 bouillon cube
- Add the sour cream, then process until the mixture is smooth.1 cup sour cream
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter, then add the pepper mixture and bring to a simmer.1 tablespoon butter
- Season with salt and pepper as desired.salt & pepper (optional)
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes, then add the spaghetti and toss to coat.
Notes
- You can use your favorite pasta. Just cook to al dente according to the package instructions.
- If you like your pasta dishes on the saucier side, consider making 1.5 times the sauce or even double it.
- For even more flavor, roast the poblano peppers first. You can do this over an open flame on a gas stove or under the broiler. Once charred, let cool and remove the skin and seeds prior to placing them in the food processor.
- Add a squeeze of lime to the sauce to broaden the flavor profile.
- Garnish with cilantro, parsley, and/or grated cotija or queso fresco cheese.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Tayler says
I’m cracking pasta and this is on the menu for tonight! It looks delicious!
Cynthia says
Delicious flavor and not too spicy! Definitely will be making this again!
Lana says
Insanely delicious and simple, never though to make a poblano pepper sauce before and will be making this again for sure! Thank you!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This looks so good! Cannot wait to make it, thank you!
Stephanie says
This green spaghetti dish is just wonderful. Perfectly cooked pasta and a bit of a spicy kick! I am sure I will make again soon.