Description
Rattlesnake Pasta is a bold and spicy dish that features creamy pasta with a kick of heat from jalapeños and spicy sausage. The creamy sauce perfectly balances the heat, making this a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s perfect for spice lovers. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s an ideal dinner for those looking for a little extra heat in their meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine works well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (or chicken sausage, for a lighter version)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jalapeños, diced (seeds removed for less heat, optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
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Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside.
-
Cook the Sausage:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
-
Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and diced jalapeños and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
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Make the Sauce:
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the smoked paprika and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
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Combine the Pasta:
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the sauce, stirring to combine. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
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Add Cheese:
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to toss the pasta until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes even creamier. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve:
- Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little extra chicken broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
- Variation: For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or use a low-fat cream. You can also use turkey sausage instead of spicy Italian sausage.
- Tip: Adjust the level of heat to your liking by adding more or fewer jalapeños and red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg