Green spaghetti (or poblano spaghetti or Mexican spaghetti green) is a popular Mexican pasta dish made of soft spaghetti and a creamy poblano pepper sauce. Roasting poblano chiles imparts a rich, smokey taste that is unique to this sauce. The cooled and peeled peppers are combined with cream cheese, sour cream, onion, and garlic. Finally, the creamy sauce is mixed with heated pasta.
The most appealing aspect of green giant spaghetti squash to me is its aesthetics. The color is beautiful. The tastes are very pleasant and vibrant. It’s tangy, creamy, earthy, and savory, and I really loved it. The dish’s appeal stems from the fact that there is no correct or incorrect preparation method.
What makes the green and white spaghetti squash rểcipe stand out, aside from its beautiful color, is its health-conscious approach. The inclusion of vibrant, fresh ingredients like poblano peppers, cilantro, and even options like spinach or basil make it a lighter, more nutrient-rich alternative to traditional pasta dishes.
The dish is full of fresh, earthy, and tangy flavors, yet still indulgently creamy. Plus, the name itself hints at its “green” and nutritious qualities, making it a great option for those looking for a balanced yet delicious meal.
What Is A Poblano Pepper?
The dish asks for poblano peppers. If you’re new with them, they’re a huge dark green pepper that’s oblong and heart-shaped. When eaten raw, they are hot, in my opinion, despite suggestions that they are moderate.
They are usually roasted or grilled whole and skinned. But many recipes ask for them to be chopped and sautéed. The longer they’re cooked, the milder they get.
In various regions of the world, notably the United States, they are also known as pasilla peppers. In my experience, if you go to a farmer’s market where they roast them on-site, they aren’t very well roasted and will be rather hot.
Suitable Side Dishes
- Garlic Bread: The crispy, buttery bread complements the creamy sauce of the green spaghetti.
- Grilled Vegetables: Add a healthy touch with a side of lightly grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus.
- Simple Salad: A light salad with a citrus vinaigrette pairs perfectly to balance the richness of the dish.
- Grilled Chicken or Shrimp: For added protein, grilled chicken or shrimp makes an excellent topping or side to the dish.
Ingredients Used to Make Green Spaghetti
- 1 lb spaghetti.
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil.
- 4 poblano peppers.
- 1 cup cilantro (leaves only)
- ½ onion, roughly chopped.
- 1 cup crema Mexicana or sour cream.
- 1 box (8 oz) cream cheese.
- 3 cloves of garlic.
- 1 cube chicken (or veggie) bouillon.
- ½-1 cup milk or water.
- 1-2 serrano or jalapeño peppers (optional)
- Cotija cheese, for garnish.
How to Make Green Spaghetti
- Cook the easy green spaghetti according to package directions and drain, keeping some pasta water for use. To prevent noodles from sticking together, toss them with butter or olive oil.
- While the spaghetti cooks, roast the poblanos. Serrano or jalapeño peppers can be either roasted or raw.
- In a blender, combine the peppers, cilantro, onion, crema, cream cheese, garlic, chicken bouillon, and ½ cup of milk or leftover pasta water. Optional: add serranos or jalapeños. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a large saucepan over medium-low heat and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then add the spaghetti and toss to coat. If the sauce becomes too thick, add more milk or pasta water. Serve with cotija cheese, if preferred.
Quick Cooking Recipe
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Inactive Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or basil for a different flavor)
- 1 cup cilantro (leaves only, to match the first recipe)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup crema Mexicana or sour cream (to add creaminess)
- 1/2 box (4 oz) cream cheese
- ½ onion, roughly chopped
- 1 cube chicken or veggie bouillon
- ½-1 cup milk or water (to adjust consistency)
- 1-2 serrano or jalapeño peppers (optional, for added spice)
- Cotija cheese, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Green Sauce: In a food processor, combine spinach (or basil), garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the green sauce until well-coated.
- Serve: Garnish with pine nuts if using, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of pasta cooking water to the sauce before mixing it with the spaghetti. Adjust seasoning as needed to taste.
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
For more mouth-watering recipes and culinary inspiration, check out So Damn Delish – where each dish is a delight!
PrintGreen Spaghetti Recipe: A Healthy Treat on Traditional One
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Inactive Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: serving
- Category: Healthy Treats
Description
Discover a flavorful twist with this Green Spaghetti recipe from So Damn Delish! Creamy, vibrant sauce over perfectly cooked pasta for a quick, delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or basil for a different flavor)
- 1 cup cilantro (leaves only, to match the first recipe)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup crema Mexicana or sour cream (to add creaminess)
- 1/2 box (4 oz) cream cheese
- ½ onion, roughly chopped
- 1 cube chicken or veggie bouillon
- ½–1 cup milk or water (to adjust consistency)
- 1–2 serrano or jalapeño peppers (optional, for added spice)
- Cotija cheese, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Green Sauce: In a food processor, combine spinach (or basil), garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the green sauce until well-coated.
- Serve: Garnish with pine nuts if using, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of pasta cooking water to the sauce before mixing it with the spaghetti. Adjust seasoning as needed to taste.
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg