Published on: April 3, 2024
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Shake up your meal with this tasty rattlesnake pasta! I love how this dish comes together in a snap but tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen. It’s my go-to when I want to impress my family.
You toss penne pasta with Cajun-seasoned chicken, bell peppers, spicy jalapeños, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. It’s heaven on a plate!
![This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (2) This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (2)](https://i0.wp.com/insanelygoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rattlesnake-Pasta-in-White-Plate.jpg)
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It’s so easy to make, too! Serve it with crusty bread and a side salad.
It’s a restaurant-worthy meal right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Rattlesnake Pasta
There’s so much to love about this recipe, I’m not even sure where to begin.
- Big on Flavor: It’s creamy, zesty, and savory, with bold, exciting flavors in every bite.
- One-Pot Wonder: You can make it in a single pot, minimizing cleanup. It’s a convenient all-in-one meal.
- Make It Your Own: Easily customize the proteins, pasta shape, vegetables, and spice level.
- Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps, it comes together in a snap for a fast weeknight dinner.
![This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (3) This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (3)](https://i0.wp.com/insanelygoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rattlesnake-Pasta-in-Cast-Iron.jpg)
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this satisfying pasta:
- Penne Pasta: It captures the creamy sauce and tender chicken in every bite.
- Chicken Breast: It’s lean and pairs well with Cajun spices.
- Olive Oil: You use it for sautéing the chicken and veggies.
- Cajun Seasoning, Salt, and Black Pepper: They infuse the dish with authentic Louisiana flavors.
- Veggies: Peppers and onions add color and texture to the dish.
- Butter: It creates a nice roux as the base for the sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: It thickens the sauce so it sticks to the pasta.
- Milk or Half-and-Half: To make the dish nice and creamy. Or use heavy cream to up the decadence even more.
- Parmesan Cheese: It brings a nutty flavor to the luscious sauce.
- Fresh Parsley: The finishing touch! It adds a nice pop of color to the pasta.
![This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (4) This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (4)](https://i0.wp.com/insanelygoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rattlesnake-Pasta-in-Plate.jpg)
How to Make Rattlesnake Pasta
Making this pasta is so easy! Just follow these steps:
- Cook the pasta. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken. Season the chicken breast pieces with Cajun seasoning.
- Cook the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, for about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté the vegetables. Add more olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, garlic cloves, and jalapeño peppers until tender-crisp, for about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet.
- Make the sauce. Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper until melted and smooth.
- Combine and serve. Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
![This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (5) This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (5)](https://i0.wp.com/insanelygoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Top-View-Rattlesnake-Pasta-in-Plate.jpg)
Tips For the Best Rattlesnake Pasta
For a true restaurant-worthy feast, follow these tips and tricks:
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Boil the pasta until just shy of al dente. Otherwise, it’ll become mushy when tossed with the sauce and other ingredients.
- Try a pickled twist. Opt for pickled jalapeño slices instead of fresh ones for added tanginess.
- Give it a flavor boost. Add roasted garlic into the sauce for a mellow, sweet garlic flavor.
- Put some elbow grease into it. For maximum flavor, grate Parmesan cheese fresh off the block.
. - Give it an extra garnish. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top before serving for some color.
- Kick up the heat. Dial up the amount of jalapeños and Cajun seasoning to make the pasta spicier.
- Try simple swaps. Swap the chicken for shrimp, crawfish, or andouille sausage. Use penne, fettuccine or rotini pasta. Add mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes. Top with toasted breadcrumbs for crunch.
![This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (6) This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (6)](https://i0.wp.com/insanelygoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Closeup-Rattlesnake-Pasta.jpg)
How to Store
If you have leftover pasta, here’s how to keep it nice and fresh:
To Store: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer to an air-tight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
I don’t recommend freezing it, as the creamy sauce may separate and become grainy when thawed. The texture of the pasta and vegetables may also become mushy. Nobody wants that!
To Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Throw in a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated through.
![This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (7) This Creamy Rattlesnake Pasta Will Make You Weak in the Knees (7)](https://i0.wp.com/insanelygoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rattlesnake_Pasta-800x530.jpg)
Rattlesnake Pasta
Course: Main CourseCuisine: American
Servings
8
servings
Prep time
20
minutes
Cooking time
30
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minutes
Calories
460
kcal
Rattlesnake pasta is a restaurant-worthy dish you can make at home! Penne is coated in a creamy, spicy, cheesy sauce you’ll flip for.
Ingredients
1 lb penne pasta
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 jalapeño peppers, sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk or half-and-half
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with the Cajun seasoning. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, for about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet. Add the bell peppers, onion, garlic and jalapeños. Sauté until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it starts to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Serve the rattlesnake pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley. Enjoy the creamy, spicy flavors!
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by using more or less jalapeños, or substituting with milder peppers like poblanos.
- For extra flavor, use a combination of Parmesan and Asiago or Romano cheeses in the sauce.
- Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the sauce for more depth of flavor.
- Substitute shrimp for the chicken for a seafood version.
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Kim - InsanelyGood
Hey there! I'm Kim. I love running, cooking, and curling up with a good book! I share recipes for people who LOVE good food, but want to keep things simple :)
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