Espagueti Verde is a Mexican green spaghetti with a silky smooth, roasted poblano and jalapeño sauce. This creamy pasta dish is amazing as a side dish and a meatless meal, plus easily make it gluten-free.

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A Mexican pasta dish? Yes, that's right! There are actually a variety of Mexican pasta dishes from fideo, to ensalada de coditos, to today's recipe for espagueti verde.
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What is Espagueti Verde?
Espagueti verde, literally meaning green spaghetti, is a Mexican pasta dish smothered in a silky, smooth green sauce. The sauce gets its beautiful green hue from roasted poblano peppers and its creaminess from milk and cream.
I especially love today's recipe because it also uses cream cheese, which adds even more creaminess and a slight tanginess.
Why You'll Love This Green Spaghetti Recipe
- Creamy: Heavy cream, cream cheese and sour cream all work together to create a deliciously creamy sauce.
- Spicy Sauce: The addition of jalapeño adds great flavor and spiciness.
- Gluten-Free Option: Easily make this gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Meatless Dish: Although this makes great side dish, you can also serve it on its own for a meatless meal.
For another creamy poblano pepper recipe, check out Creamy Poblano Soup.
Ingredients
- Poblano Chiles: Poblano peppers are large, mild chiles that are usually served roasted. They have a more robust flavor than bell peppers and at times can have a slight spice to them.
- Jalapeño: Most recipes for this pasta dish only call for poblano peppers. However, I found that adding a roasted jalapeño not only adds a nice spicy kick but also great flavor.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Butter: Butter adds richness.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds additional creaminess and a sweet, tangy flavor.
- Sour Cream: Use either regular sour cream or Mexican crema.
- Heavy Cream: You can use milk, but heavy cream makes the sauce richer and thicker.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds an additional layer of flavor without having to use chicken bouillon.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is blended into the sauce and is also great as a garnish at the end.
- Pasta: Use spaghetti, fettuccine or linguine noodles.
- Queso Fresco: Queso fresco is a great topping to finish off the pasta before serving.
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Mexican Green Spaghetti
1. Roast the Chiles
- Roast 4 large poblano chiles and 1 jalapeño by following the directions on this post Simple Ways to Roast Green Chiles at Home.
- Peel and dice the peppers and set aside.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic
- Chop the onions and garlic.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small pan.
- Add the onions and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant.
3. Make the Sauce
- Add 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of chicken broth to the blender.
- Add the poblanos, jalapeño, onion, garlic, 1 cup of cilantro, ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Boil the Noodles
- Boil 12 ounces of spaghetti following the directions on the package.
- Drain and set aside.
5. Assemble Pasta
- Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large pan.
- Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Add in the pasta, tossing until all of the noodles are covered in the sauce.
6. Serve
- Top off with crumbled queso fresco and diced cilantro.
How to Serve
This green pasta makes a delicious meatless meal. It is also great served alongside:
- Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Shredded Pork
- Potato Patties
- Instant Pot Shredded Beef
- Shrimp
- Salmon or other fish
Storing and Reheating
You can store the leftover pasta in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. The sauce by itself can be stored for up 5 days.
To reheat, stir 1-2 tablespoons of milk and either heat on the stove or in the microwave until steaming.
Tips and Variations
- We use gluten-free pasta and the results are amazing. I recommend brown rice spaghetti or fettuccine as the noddles hold up better.
- I love the flavor the jalapeño adds, but you can leave it out for a non-spicy version. I leave it out for my kids and they love it.
- If you have extra sauce, this is a great sauce for enchiladas.
I hope you enjoy!
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW IF YOU MAKE THIS OR TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM @EVERYDAYLATINA.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Sweet Potato and Avocado Salad
- Nopalitos and Roasted Red Pepper Salad
- Roasted Green Chile Guacamole
- Chile Verde con Queso
- Spicy Guacamole with Roasted Vegetables
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Recipe
Espagueti Verde (Mexican Green Spaghetti)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large poblano peppers
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 4 tablespoon butter (divided)
- ¼ onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1 8oz. bar of cream cheese
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cilantro (plus more for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 12oz. packet of spaghetti (can use gluten-free)
- ½ cup crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
- Roast 4 large poblano chiles and 1 jalapeño by following the directions on this post Simple Ways to Roast Green Chiles at Home.
- Peel and dice the peppers and set aside.
- Chop the onions and garlic.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small pan. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Add heavy cream, sour cream, cream cheese, chicken broth, roasted peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro, salt and pepper to the blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Boil 12 ounces of spaghetti following the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large pan. Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Add in the pasta, tossing until all of the noodles are covered in sauce.
- Top off with crumbled queso fresco and diced cilantro.
Notes
- We use gluten-free pasta and the results are amazing. I recommend brown rice spaghetti or fettuccine as the noddles hold up better.
- I love the flavor the jalapeño adds, but you can leave it out for a non-spicy version. I leave it out for my kids and they love it.
Rebecca
Today was my second time making this recipe. Very tasty! I too, add a little knorr suiza to the sauce while it simmers. Very authentic recipe.
Gemma
Hi Rebecca, I love that! Thank you so much for trying it, twice! I don't add any Knorr or bouillon to my cooking anymore because I find it inflammatory, but my parents always used it and they loved it.
Jess
This sauce is AMAZING! Thank you for this delicious recipe.
Gemma
Such a great sauce! Glad you liked it!
Jess B
I had not made Espagueti Verde (Mexican Green Spaghetti), but always loved to eat. Made it today with this recipe and it came out amazing. Also added some chicken bouillon and it’s so good. Thank you for the recipe. I will be making it again for sure!
Gemma
Hi Jess, that so wonderful to hear. So happy you found the recipe and enjoyed it.
Viveca
This is a delicious recipe. I added Knorr Suissa- chicken flavoring to give it a little boost. Question- can it be frozen?
Gemma
Hi Viveca, you can freeze it but it may change the texture of the pasta slightly upon thawing. One thing I like to do is make a double batch of the sauce and freeze it on its own. Then when I want to use it, I just cook the noodles and mix in the thawed sauce.
Evelia Howard
Deli deli!! Gracias
Gemma
Glad to hear it! Thank you Evelia!
Laura
I have always wanted to make this. I had it a long time ago at my grandmother's house but I never knew how she made it. Thank you, delicious!
Gemma
Hi Laura, I am so happy you found this recipe. I love that it reminded you of your grandmother. Thank you.
Estella
This was so good! The jalapeño gave it an extra layer of flavor. Used 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon instead of the broth.
Gemma
Hi Estella, that's wonderful. I do love the jalapeño in it too. Thank you for trying it out.