Piquant Pasta Dishes


I love pasta and am always experimenting with new pasta dishes. Trouble is, I never write them down so I find it hard to duplicate them! You can create your own spicy pasta dishes by adding whatever ingredients you wish, including fresh or canned green chiles, hot sauce, pepper flakes or powdered Cayenne pepper. Onions, green onions, tomatos and sun-dried tomatos, peanuts, cashews and pine nuts are excellent additons. I usually make my pasta dishes with chicken and white sauce, although an olive oil sauce is good too. Here are some terrific ideas for spicy pasta entrees.

Chicken Tequila Fettuccine
Serves 6

  • 1 pound spinach Fettuccine, uncooked
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp. minced jalapeño pepper
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp. gold tequila
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 3 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 1/4 pounds chicken breast, diced 3/4-inch
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain.

Saute cilantro, garlic and jalapeño in 2 tbsp. butter over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Add chicken broth, tequila and lime juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until reduced to a pastelike consistency. Set aside.

Pour soy sauce over diced chicken. Marinate for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook onion and peppers, stirring occasionally, with remaining butter over medium heat until wilted. Add chicken and soy sauce; toss and add reserved tequila/lime paste and cream. Bring to a boil, until chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes.

Toss with hot pasta and serve immediately.

Mexican Pasta Casserole
Serves 6 to 8

  • 1 pound Rigatoni, Ziti or other medium pasta shape, uncooked
  • 2 tsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 3 tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 8 oz. cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, julienned
  • 1/4 cup ripe olives
  • 1 cup (4 oz.) grated Monterey Jack cheese, Queso Quesadilla or Havarti with Jalapeño Pepper cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 375º F. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

The copyright of the article Piquant Pasta Dishes in Spicy Cuisine is owned by Judy Howle. Permission to republish Piquant Pasta Dishes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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