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- 8 oz (225 g) pasta of your choice (penne or fusilli works great) - 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - 1-2 fresh jalapeños, diced (remove seeds for less heat) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for topping, optional) - Chopped green onions for garnish When making creamy jalapeño popper pasta, you can play with the ingredients. For the pasta, choose your favorite type. Penne or fusilli works best, but spaghetti or shells can also work. If you want a lighter dish, swap cream cheese for Greek yogurt. It will change the flavor slightly but keeps it creamy. For the cheese, sharp cheddar and mozzarella are my go-to choices. However, you can use pepper jack for more spice. If you prefer a milder option, try Monterey Jack. Fresh jalapeños bring the heat, but you can use pickled jalapeños for a different flavor. Just adjust the amount to your spice level. You will need a few simple tools for this dish: - A large pot for boiling pasta - A large skillet for cooking the sauce - A wooden spoon or spatula for mixing - A measuring cup and spoons for accuracy - A knife and cutting board for chopping jalapeños and garlic - An oven-safe skillet if you want to broil the topping These tools help make cooking smooth and easy. Enjoy the process, and let your kitchen come alive! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, grab a large pot. Fill it with water and add salt. Bring the water to a boil. Once it boils, add 8 ounces of pasta. You can use penne or fusilli. Cook it until it is al dente, which means it is firm but cooked. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. After cooking, drain the pasta and set it aside. Next, take a large skillet and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Chop 1 to 2 fresh jalapeños and add them to the skillet. If you want less heat, remove the seeds. Add 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook this mix for about 2 to 3 minutes. You want it to smell great and become soft. Now, lower the heat to medium-low. Add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until it melts and becomes creamy. Gradually pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk everything together until it is smooth. Once the sauce is creamy, it’s time to add the cheeses. Stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until all the cheese melts into the sauce. Now, add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce. If you want a crunchy topping, grab a small bowl. Mix 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly over your pasta in the skillet. For a nice finish, place the skillet under a broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn. Once it’s golden, take it out and let it rest for a minute. Finally, garnish your dish with chopped green onions. Serve and enjoy your creamy jalapeño popper pasta! To change the spice level, you can play with jalapeños. For less heat, remove the seeds. If you want more spice, add more diced jalapeños. You can also use pickled jalapeños for a milder flavor with a nice tang. Another option is to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for extra heat. Creaminess comes from the right blend of cheeses and cream. Always use softened cream cheese for easy mixing. The heavy cream adds richness, so don’t skip it. You can adjust the amount of cheese for a thicker or thinner sauce. If you want it even creamier, try adding a splash of pasta water to the sauce. This helps it cling to the pasta better. To melt cheese evenly, make sure your sauce is warm enough. Add the shredded cheese gradually while stirring. This ensures it melts smoothly. If you notice clumps, lower the heat and stir more. Broiling the dish for a few minutes gives a nice finish. It helps the cheese meld together while adding a golden top. This step is key for a great texture in every bite. Pro Tips Adjust Heat Level: If you prefer a milder dish, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños, or use less jalapeño. Conversely, for more spice, leave some seeds in or add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cheese Variety: Experiment with different types of cheese for unique flavors. Pepper jack cheese can add an extra kick, while a mild cheese can create a more balanced dish. Fresh Herbs: Add fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley before serving for a pop of color and added flavor. They can brighten up the dish and provide a refreshing contrast to the creaminess. Make Ahead: This pasta can be made ahead of time. Simply prepare the dish up to the broiling step, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, broil until the top is golden and bubbly. {{image_2}} You can make this pasta dish vegetarian by skipping the meat. Use veggie broth instead of chicken broth. Add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra flavor and color. You can even toss in some corn for sweetness. These changes keep the dish bright and tasty without losing its creamy goodness. If you want to add protein, consider cooked chicken, shrimp, or bacon. Cook the meat separately and mix it in with the pasta for a hearty meal. You can also use canned beans, like black beans or chickpeas, for a plant-based option. This way, you can enjoy a filling dish that satisfies your hunger. While cheddar and mozzarella are great, you can swap them with other cheeses. Creamy goat cheese or tangy feta can add a unique twist. You can also use pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick. Just remember to adjust the amount based on how strong the cheese flavor is. This allows you to create a pasta dish that fits your taste perfectly. After enjoying your creamy jalapeño popper pasta, let it cool down first. Place any leftovers in an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to enjoy it later, consider freezing some. When it's time to eat your leftovers, reheating is simple. You can use a microwave or a stovetop. For the microwave, place the pasta in a bowl with a splash of milk. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between. If using the stovetop, add a bit of cream or milk to a skillet. Heat over low until warm, stirring often. This keeps the pasta creamy. If you want to freeze your pasta, use a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave some space at the top, as the pasta will expand. It can stay in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it as described above for the best taste. Yes, you can use many types of pasta! Penne and fusilli are great choices. You can also try rotini or farfalle. Pick your favorite shape that holds sauce well. This dish is flexible, so have fun with it! To spice it up, add more jalapeños. You can use two or three jalapeños, depending on your taste. Remove the seeds to tone down the heat. Another option is to sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes while cooking. This will give your pasta a nice kick! Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time. Cook the pasta and sauce, then store them separately in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, mix them and reheat. You can also bake it with breadcrumbs right before serving. This pasta pairs well with a simple salad. A fresh green salad with light dressing adds a nice contrast. You can also serve it with garlic bread for a hearty meal. If you like protein, grilled chicken or shrimp make great additions! This blog post covered everything you need for Creamy Jalapeño Popper Pasta. You learned about the needed ingredients, tools, and step-by-step instructions. We also shared tips for spice levels, creaminess, and cheese melting. You explored variations like vegetarian options and protein add-ins. Lastly, we provided storage and reheating tips. Remember, cooking is fun and flexible. Don’t hesitate to try your own twists on the recipe! Enjoy your tasty dish!

Creamy Jalapeño Popper Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish with the spicy kick of jalapeños and cheesy goodness.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne or fusilli)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, diced (remove seeds for less heat)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 2 heavy cream
  • 1 2 smoked paprika
  • 1 4 salt
  • 1 4 black pepper
  • 1 2 cup breadcrumbs (for topping, optional)
  • 1 to taste chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced jalapeños and minced garlic, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  • Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet, stirring until melted and creamy. Gradually add in the heavy cream, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, whisking continuously until smooth.
  • Stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese until fully melted into the creamy sauce.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the cheese sauce.
  • If using breadcrumbs, in a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread this mixture evenly over the pasta in the skillet.
  • Place the skillet under a broiler for about 2-3 minutes to give the breadcrumbs a golden, crunchy texture (watch carefully to prevent burning!).
  • Remove from broiler and let it rest for a minute. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

Adjust the number of jalapeños based on your heat preference.
Keyword cheese, creamy, jalapeño, pasta