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Creamy Mexican Green Spaghetti

A delicious twist on traditional pasta, this creamy Mexican dish features a sauce made from roasted poblano peppers, spinach, and cilantro.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Pasta
Calories: 620

Ingredients

Pasta and Base Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry spaghetti Use any pasta type like fettuccine or penne.
  • 4 pieces poblano peppers (roasted) Char for an extra smoky flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing.
  • 1 small onion (chopped, about 1/4 cup) Adds flavor to the sauce.
  • 1 piece jalapeño pepper or serrano pepper (stemmed, seeded, and chopped) Adjust spice level according to preference.
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced) Enhances the sauce's flavor.
  • 1 cup spinach leaves Fresh is best.
  • 1 small bunch cilantro For blending into the sauce.
  • 8 ounces sour cream or crema Mexicana Adds creaminess to the sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon chicken or vegetable bouillon granules or 1 bouillon cube Enhances flavor.
  • 2/3 to 1 cup milk or half and half Adjust for desired sauce consistency.
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened and cut into small cubes) For a rich texture.
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste For seasoning.

Garnishes

  • Chopped cilantro For garnish.
  • Crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco For garnish.
  • Pepitas For garnish.

Method

Cooking the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  • Just before draining, remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Making the Sauce

  • While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and jalapeño (or serrano) pepper, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and spinach leaves. Cook while tossing with kitchen tongs until the spinach starts to wilt, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Transfer the spinach mixture to a blender. Add the roasted poblano peppers, cilantro, sour cream, chicken bouillon, and 2/3 cup of milk or half and half. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust with more milk for desired consistency.
  • Pour the poblano pepper mixture back into the pot you used for the pasta. Heat over medium-low for about 2-3 minutes, stirring as needed.
  • Add half of the cream cheese and stir until it melts, then repeat with the remaining cream cheese. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Combining and Serving

  • Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. Use some of the reserved pasta cooking water if needed to make the sauce creamier.
  • Serve warm, garnished with chopped cilantro, crumbled cheese, and pepitas if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 17gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 540mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
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