Irresistible Rattlesnake Pasta: A Zesty Homemade Delight

Rattlesnake pasta is a spicy dish that ignites taste buds with bold southwestern-inspired flavors.

This meal combines traditional Italian pasta methods with zesty ingredients and cooking styles from the Southwest.

Fiery chili peppers and unique proteins turn an ordinary pasta recipe into an adventurous dining experience.

Fans of southwestern foods and those who love spicy meals are drawn to this exciting dish.

Many restaurant menus in the Southwest feature this innovative pasta as a standout spicy option.

Cooks everywhere enjoy its versatility and vibrant taste, making it a favorite in many kitchens.

Why Everyone Loves Rattlesnake Pasta

• Spice Up Your Weeknight: This recipe transforms ordinary pasta into a flavor-packed adventure with its bold jalapeño kick and creamy sauce, making dinner anything but boring.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: From start to finish, you'll have a restaurant-quality meal ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable Heat Levels: Adjust the spiciness by controlling jalapeño amounts or adding red pepper flakes, making it friendly for everyone from mild-loving kids to heat-seeking adults.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this streamlined recipe that uses minimal dishes, letting you spend more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing pots and pans.

What To Buy For Rattlesnake Pasta

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: The star protein that adds hearty flavor and substance to the pasta dish.
• Parmesan Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that provide creamy texture and sharp taste.

• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetables that bring sweet crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
• Jalapeños: Spicy peppers that add heat and exciting flavor kick.

• Pasta: The foundation of the dish that carries all the delicious sauce and ingredients.

• Milk, Heavy Cream: Smooth dairy bases that create a luxurious, creamy sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth sauce texture.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, savory undertones.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds complex, traditional flavor profile.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create a smooth, consistent sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps with initial cooking and prevents sticking.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and tangy complexity to the chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall flavor.

• Red Pepper Flakes, Hot Sauce: Additional heat options for spice lovers.

How To Make Rattlesnake Pasta At Home

Step 1: Prep the Veggies and Protein

Heat olive oil in a large cooking pot over medium flame. Toss in bell peppers and cook until they soften and gain a slight char, about 5 minutes. Scoop out and set aside. In the same pot, add chicken and cook thoroughly until no pink remains, roughly 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then splash in Worcestershire sauce to enhance flavor. Remove chicken and reserve.

Step 2: Craft the Creamy Sauce

Melt butter and introduce minced garlic, letting it dance around the pot for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and flour, whisking continuously to create a smooth paste. Allow mixture to cook for another minute. Gradually pour milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until sauce reaches a luxurious, thick consistency. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Build and Finish the Dish

Fold in chopped jalapeños, Parmesan, and half the cheddar cheese. Reintroduce chicken and bell peppers, seasoning to taste. Toss with cooked pasta until every strand is gloriously coated. Crown the dish with remaining cheddar. Serve with optional red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or extra jalapeño slices for adventurous heat lovers.

Easy Tips For Rattlesnake Pasta

• Pepper Prep Power: Dice bell peppers uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Chicken Moisture Magic: Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
• Sauce Smoothness Trick: Whisk flour and seasonings thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce base.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on personal heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra kick.
• Cheese Melting Method: Allow residual heat to gently melt cheese for smoother integration and prevent potential graininess in the sauce.

How To Store And Reheat Rattlesnake Pasta

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum. Separate pasta and sauce if possible to maintain better texture.
• Reheat gently in microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent drying. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore moisture and creamy consistency.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as cream-based sauces tend to separate and become grainy when thawed. Cream and dairy ingredients break down during freezing process.
• Consume reheated pasta within 1-2 days for best taste and food safety. Discard if any unusual odor or appearance develops after reheating.

Perfect Sides For Rattlesnake Pasta

• Spice-Matched Mexican Lager: Pair this zesty rattlesnake pasta with a crisp Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Pacifico, which cuts through the creamy sauce and complements the spicy jalapeño heat.
• Cool Down with Creamy Complement: Select a chilled white wine such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer, whose slight sweetness balances the dish's bold flavors and provides a refreshing contrast to the spicy chicken.
• Create Texture Contrast: Serve alongside a crisp garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing, offering a light and acidic counterpoint to the rich, creamy pasta while adding fresh vegetable crunch.
• Elevate with Crusty Sidekick: Add warm garlic bread or toasted artisan ciabatta to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a perfect textural companion that enhances the overall dining experience.

New Versions Of Rattlesnake Pasta

• Vegetarian Pasta Delight: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based protein crumbles, sautéed until golden and seasoned with Worcestershire-style vegan sauce.
• Gluten-Free Spicy Comfort: Use gluten-free pasta and substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for the sauce thickening process.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Swap traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles, maintaining the rich, creamy sauce and protein components for a lighter meal.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond cream, using nutritional yeast instead of cheese to create a similar rich, tangy flavor profile.

Rattlesnake Pasta FAQs

• Why is it called Rattlesnake Pasta?

The name comes from the spicy ingredients like jalapeños and red pepper flakes that give the dish a “bite” similar to a rattlesnake’s strike.

• How spicy is this pasta dish?

The heat level can be adjusted by controlling the amount of jalapeños and red pepper flakes added. You can make it mild or extra spicy based on your preference.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While the recipe works great with traditional pasta shapes, you can use penne, fettuccine, or rotini depending on what you have available.

• Is this recipe considered a comfort food?

Yes, it’s a creamy, cheesy pasta dish with a spicy kick that combines classic comfort food elements with a southwestern-inspired twist.

Creamy Zesty Rattlesnake Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy southwestern Rattlesnake Pasta delivers bold flavors with tender chicken and zesty jalapeño cream sauce. Hearty comfort meets fiery excitement in this quick and irresistible meal that will spark conversation at your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 23 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ tablespoon chopped pickled jalapenos, plus extra for serving
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes or hot sauce, optional

Dairy and Pasta:

• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 ½ cups (6 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound (454 grams) penne or cavatappi pasta, cooked and drained

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation by sautéing bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until they soften and develop a slight caramelization, then transfer to a separate plate.
2. In the same cooking vessel, cook chicken pieces until thoroughly white throughout, seasoning with salt and pepper, then deglaze the pan with Worcestershire sauce to capture additional flavor complexity.
3. Create a roux by melting butter and introducing minced garlic, allowing aromatic notes to develop before incorporating Italian seasoning and flour to form a smooth, golden paste.
4. Gradually introduce milk and heavy cream into the roux, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and establish a velvety, rich sauce base.
5. Incorporate chopped jalapeños, grated Parmesan, and half the cheddar cheese into the sauce, stirring until the cheese melts completely and integrates smoothly.
6. Return the sautéed bell peppers and cooked chicken to the sauce, gently folding to ensure even distribution and optimal flavor melding.
7. Toss the prepared pasta with the sauce-laden protein and vegetable mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is lavishly coated.
8. Garnish the dish with remaining cheddar cheese, allowing it to slightly melt from the residual heat, and optionally serve with red pepper flakes or additional jalapeño slices for those desiring extra heat.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeño seeds or using milder peppers for a kid-friendly version.
• Swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or plant-based protein to accommodate different dietary preferences.
• Create a lighter sauce by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reducing butter quantity.
• Prevent sauce from breaking by whisking continuously and removing from heat before adding cheese.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg