Craving a pasta dish that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor? Look no further than Mexican Spaghetti, also known as Espagueti Verde! This vibrant dish features spaghetti noodles smothered in a luscious, creamy green poblano sauce that’s surprisingly easy to make and incredibly delicious. If you’re looking to spice up your pasta routine, this Mexican Spaghetti Recipe is a must-try.
A fork twirls green Mexican spaghetti over a plate
This Mexican spaghetti recipe, or espagueti verde, is a delightful twist on traditional pasta. Imagine perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles enveloped in a velvety smooth sauce made from roasted poblano peppers, cream cheese, and fresh cilantro. It’s a budget-friendly meal that’s ready in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. Plus, since poblano peppers are mild, this creamy Mexican pasta is a family-friendly option that everyone can enjoy.
What is Mexican Spaghetti (Espagueti Verde)?
Mexican Spaghetti, or Espagueti Verde, is a popular dish that transforms classic spaghetti into a vibrant and flavorful Mexican-inspired meal. The “verde” comes from the creamy green sauce, which is primarily made from poblano peppers. These peppers, known for their mild heat and rich flavor when roasted, are blended with creamy ingredients to create a unique and delicious pasta sauce. This dish is a testament to the versatility of Mexican cuisine, proving that it’s not just about tacos and enchiladas!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Poblano Pasta Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of roasted poblano peppers, creamy cheese, and fresh cilantro creates a flavor profile that is both rich and refreshing. It’s a unique and exciting taste experience compared to typical tomato-based pasta sauces.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this Mexican spaghetti recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in no time.
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe utilizes affordable ingredients like spaghetti, poblano peppers, and cream cheese, making it a great option for those looking for delicious meals without breaking the bank.
- Family-Friendly: Poblano peppers are mild, making this dish suitable for even picky eaters who are sensitive to spice. The creamy texture and familiar pasta shape also make it appealing to children.
- Versatile: Serve it as a satisfying vegetarian main course or as a flavorful side dish to complement your favorite Mexican-inspired entrees.
Ingredients for Mexican Spaghetti
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable Mexican spaghetti recipe:
- Spaghetti Noodles: Classic spaghetti works best, but you can substitute with other pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or bow-tie pasta if preferred. About ½ pound should suffice for this recipe.
- Onion: White onion is recommended for its mild flavor, but yellow onion can also be used. You’ll need a slice for the pasta water and some grated for the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is crucial for the best flavor. You’ll use whole cloves for the pasta water and minced garlic for the sauce.
- Poblano Peppers: The star of the show! Look for large poblano peppers. If using smaller ones, you might need to increase the quantity to achieve the desired flavor. You’ll need about 4 for this recipe.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the richest and creamiest sauce. You can use reduced-fat cream cheese for a lighter option, but the flavor might be slightly less intense.
- Fresh Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is essential for the vibrant green color and fresh flavor of the sauce. Don’t worry about removing the stems – they add flavor and will be blended smoothly.
- Olive Oil & Butter: A combination of olive oil and butter provides the perfect base for sautéing the aromatics and building flavor in the sauce.
- Chicken Bouillon: Chicken bouillon adds a savory depth to the sauce. You can substitute with salt if you prefer, but bouillon enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Bay Leaves: Bay leaves infuse the pasta water with subtle aromatic notes, adding an extra layer of flavor to the spaghetti itself.
- Queso Fresco: Queso Fresco, a mild and crumbly Mexican cheese, is the perfect finishing touch. If you can’t find it, Parmesan cheese makes a good substitute.
- Heavy Cream & Milk: These add to the creamy texture of the sauce, making it luxuriously smooth and rich.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Mexican Spaghetti Recipe
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Mexican Spaghetti:
- Cook the Spaghetti: Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a slice of white onion, 2 whole garlic cloves, salt, and bay leaves to the boiling water. Let it boil for a couple of minutes to infuse the water with flavor. Then, add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Discard the onion, garlic, and bay leaves from the cooked pasta.
- Roast the Poblano Peppers: Preheat your broiler to 500°F (260°C). Deseeed and open the poblano peppers and place them skin-side up on a baking sheet. Broil on the highest rack, directly under the broiler, until the skins are blackened and blistered, about 3-5 minutes.
- Steam and Peel the Poblanos: Remove the roasted poblanos from the broiler and immediately place them in a plastic bag or a bowl covered with plastic wrap. Let them steam for 5 minutes. This makes it easier to peel off the skins. After steaming, peel off the blackened skins and cut the peppers into strips.
- Sauté Aromatics and Poblanos: In a large pan or skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the grated white onion and minced garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the poblano pepper strips and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Make the Creamy Poblano Sauce: Transfer the sautéed poblano mixture to a blender. Add fresh cilantro, cream cheese, chicken bouillon, heavy cream, and milk. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Cook the Sauce: Pour the blended poblano sauce back into the pan and cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little of the reserved spaghetti water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the pan with the creamy poblano sauce. Toss to coat the spaghetti evenly in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve your Mexican Spaghetti hot, garnished with crumbled queso fresco and a sprinkle of minced fresh cilantro.
Tips for Perfect Mexican Spaghetti
- Flavorful Pasta Water: Don’t skip infusing the pasta water with onion, garlic, and bay leaves. This simple step adds a subtle but noticeable layer of flavor to the spaghetti itself.
- Roasting Poblanos: Roasting the poblano peppers is crucial for developing their smoky flavor. Broiling is a quick and effective method, but you can also roast them over an open flame on a gas stovetop or grill.
- Adjusting Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more of the reserved pasta water. For a thicker sauce, simmer it for a longer time.
- Spice it Up (Optional): If you like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a serrano pepper (roasted along with the poblanos) to the sauce.
- Using Canned Chiles (Quick Option): In a pinch, you can use canned roasted green chiles instead of fresh poblanos. However, the flavor will be slightly different and less complex.
- Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the poblano sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the sauce and toss with freshly cooked spaghetti when ready to serve.
- Leftover Storage: Store leftover Mexican spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or water if needed to loosen the sauce.
What to Serve with Mexican Spaghetti
This versatile Mexican spaghetti recipe can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Main Course: Serve it as a delicious and satisfying vegetarian main dish. Add a side salad for a complete meal.
- Side Dish: Pair it as a flavorful side with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. It complements Mexican-inspired dishes beautifully. Consider serving it alongside blackened chicken or a juicy steak for a hearty feast.
- Beverage Pairings: For a refreshing drink, try pairing it with a Meyer Lemon margarita, a tangy lime sherbet margarita, or even a vibrant green juice margarita to complement the Mexican flavors.
Enjoy this creamy and flavorful Mexican Spaghetti recipe! It’s a delightful and easy way to bring a taste of Mexico to your pasta night.
Recipe Card
Mexican Spaghetti Recipe (Espagueti Verde)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
- ½ pound spaghetti noodles
- 1 slice + ¼ cup grated white onion, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, divided – two whole, two grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 poblano peppers, deseeded and cut open
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons packed cilantro, stems and all, divided (2 Tablespoons minced for garnish)
- 1 8 ounce bar cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tablespoon chicken bouillon
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ cup queso Fresco, crumbled, for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil spaghetti in water with onion slice, 2 whole garlic cloves, salt, and bay leaves for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain pasta, discard aromatics.
- Roast Poblanos: Broil poblanos skin-side up for 3-5 minutes until blackened. Steam in a bag for 5 minutes, peel, and slice.
- Sauté Aromatics & Poblanos: Sauté grated onion and minced garlic in butter and olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Add poblano strips and sauté for 5 minutes more.
- Blend Sauce: Blend sautéed mixture with cilantro, cream cheese, chicken bouillon, cream, and milk until smooth.
- Cook Sauce: Pour sauce into pan, cook for 5-10 minutes until heated through, thinning with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Combine & Serve: Toss spaghetti with sauce. Garnish with queso fresco and cilantro. Serve hot.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 460kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 55g (18%), Protein: 13g (26%), Fat: 23g (35%), Sugar: 4.6g (5%)
