Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo brings a spicy twist to an Italian classic with jalapeno slices, bacon, and a variety of cheeses.
Confession: I’m kind of a wimp when it comes to spicy foods. Some like it hot; I like it mild.
I remember one time I bought a habanero pepper from a farmer’s market during college. Anxious to give it a shot, I made a habanero pasta sauce.
It was the only dinner I had to throw out because I couldn’t even finish a plate; habaneros are just way too hot for me. I even had a glass of milk to tame the fire, but it was just too torturous.
Now I just stick with jalapenos. Every year, I grow jalapeno plants, but for some reason, they are not producing this year.
This makes me so upset because I add jalapenos to a lot of things, just to give the ordinary a bit of a kick.
Take this Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo for example. What may be an ordinary Italian classic is now brought into the spotlight with the addition of jalapenos, bacon, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese.
This idea popped into my head awhile back when I saw recipes for jalapeno mac and cheese.
I’m not sure why I chose fettuccine alfredo – maybe because the sauce is already creamy like the cream cheese filling you often find in jalapeno poppers.
It just felt right to add jalapenos, bacon, and cheese to it.
When I made this for dinner, it wasn’t spicy at all because I didn’t add any jalapeno seeds or membrane. I told you I’m a wimp.
However, for those of you who like it HOT, add the entire chopped peppers, seeds and all.
Or if you’re hesitant, reserve some seeds for the end and add to taste.
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo is now a part of my 30 minute meal rotation. I really need to start a notebook of easy and quick after work recipes.
I used to have a notebook of ideas in college, but not only is it outdated (I can afford groceries now!), I have no clue where it is. I think it’s on the floor in the bedroom somewhere….
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo brings a spicy twist to an Italian classic with jalapeno slices, bacon, and a variety of cheeses.
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound fettuccine, uncooked
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 2 jalapenos, chopped (seeds removed if desired)
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped into pieces
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta as directed on the box.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan. Saute onion and jalapeno until softened, about 5-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the milk. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Boil for a few minutes or until it starts to thicken.
- Stir in the cheddar and parmesan cheeses until smooth. Stir in the bacon.
- Once the pasta is finished and drained, add it to the sauce*.
Notes
*If the sauce cools down and thickens too much, reheat and stir in some more milk or cream to thin it out.
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This looks so good! I can’t handle heat, either and I love the idea of just a trace and not a fire in my mouth.
OMG… this looks amazing. I now associate you with jalapeno popper everything. Keep them coming.
I have a 30 minute meal notebook – in my head. I am with you – so much more effective if I actually wrote it down. I love your fusion pasta! Sounds yummy!
You know what, I used to hate hot food. I mean seriously I was completely anti hot food but then over the months and years I got used to it and then I was presented the best of Indian dishes ever and that is how I started to dig it. Especially chili chocolate helped a lots. =D
I can imagine that we would enjoy your fettuccine with the chile but I would keep the seeds =)
I love this, Carla! Back when I made the jalapeño popper chili for Sunday Supper, I ate the leftovers over pasta and it was divine, so I know this must be too. Beautiful photos, as always!
Yesssss! We do a jalapeno popper mac and cheese that’s a favorite, but alfredo sounds like an awesome twist too!
I LOVE a fat plate of greasy jalapeno poppers with a cold beer, and this is such a great idea to bring it home!! I’m a fan of the turbo-heat, so I’d be adding in the membranes and seeds no problem, but I love that this recipe can be tailored to heat levels. Delicious, Carla!
This has my mouth watering! I can’t wait to make this for the fam!
Say what? This is sensational Carla! Just the way to eat spicy chiles, seriously this idea is perfect!
I think you have started a new trend!!! I love the idea of a spicy fettuccine Alfredo! And it’s gorgeous to boot!
Say whaaat? Just when I think I’ve seen every spin on fettuccine alfredo, you prove me wrong! This is a totally new idea to me…but I am loving it. That’s one of my favorite dishes, so why not add a little kick?
Yum!! This looks fantastic and pairs two of my favorite cuisines Mexican and Italian! Can’t wait to try it out!
What a great idea! The heat would just inhibit the flavours of the sauce IMHO, so good on you for de-seeding!
Oh man, I love this dish! What a great idea! It’s so beautiful and perfect!!!
This looks so good!! And I’m similar, anything beyond a jalapeño is a bit too much for me :) Pinning!
Carla, this spicy dish is calling my name. Squirrel is going to go bonkers of this recipe. Saved and pinned!
I love fettucine alfredo, any kind of white sauce pasta to be exact. And adding jalapenos definitely a plus. I can’t believe you grow your own jalapenos, definitely need to learn the secret of gardening from you. :)
My kind of pasta Carla, bacon, cheese and jalapeno’s! Nothing could be more satistying!
Love this SPICY kick to regular ole fettuccine alfredo
This is absolutely wonderful! I must try it.
Um, jalapenos are pretty spicy! I’ve never tried habanero and never will….and I do enjoy spicy dishes! I just like my taste buds to be fully functioning during a meal! :-)
I really need to keep a list of my go-to quick dishes also!
Such a simple concept to add jalapenos to fettuccine alfredo and some how I haven’t done it yet. I can’t wait to give it a go
I love very hot spicy dishes and I could not imagine using a whole habenaro in a pasta sauce. A little bit of them goes a long way.
Now about your pasta…I’m certain you shared this just for me. It has my name on it. I swear I see “Renee” spelled out in the twirls of pasta.
And you know I have a jalapeno plant this year and I can’t wait to use the peppers in this dish. Love it!
This would be the perfect meal for the whole family…my youngest isn’t down with the spice yet…but the rest of us like it in varying degrees…this would be the dish that everybody could eat!
I am sure I can figure it out but when did you add the milk or cream? And did you use milk or cream?
After the garlic and before the cream cheese. I’ve used both milk and cream. Usually I just do milk to help cut back on some of the fat, but traditionally alfredo sauce is made with heavy cream.
This is by far the best idea I’ve heard all week. What a perfect combination of dishes!
I like it hot… but habaneros are WAY to hot for me! This is such an interesting flavor combination, I really want to try this! Jalapenos go great with so many things.
Just when you think there couldn’t be anything better than Alfredo…great idea!
Holy cow this looks fantastic! I love spicy dishes!!
Oh yum, I can’t wait to try this! BTW habaneros are a special kind of painful–the first and last time I worked with them, my hands were burning so bad, I thought we were gonna end up in the ER! Yah, I know, I should use gloves, but I’ve never had to with other peppers!