Shrimp Pasta with Poblano Cream Sauce

Shrimp and pasta are made for each other! Once you’ve tried this recipe, you also need to try this Shrimp Alfredo or this Lemon Pepper Shrimp Pasta.

I don’t know if it’s the New Mexican in me, but I am a chile girl. Stick a menu in front of me, and it’s like I have a radar that points right to the Tex-Mex/Mexican/any-sort-of-chile foods. I can’t help it, it’s in my blood!!

I’m a huge pasta fan, too, so it’s only natural that I would be drawn to a pasta dish that is covered in a creamy sauce made from chiles, right??

This Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Poblano Sauce hits all the right notes. The sauce is not only simple, but it is flavorful without being spicy, so it’s even great for the kids.

If you are looking for a way to Tex-Mex up your pasta dinner, this is it!!

Ingredients

• Pasta: I like to use linguine or fettuccine. Spaghetti noodles would also be great.
• Butter: Make sure you divide the butter – part is used for cooking the vegetables, and the rest is for the shrimp.
• Poblano Pepper: Poblano peppers are usually pretty easy to find. I can usually get them at any of my local grocery stores. If you need a substitution, I would look for an anaheim pepper. (You can also pick up some extra peppers to make these Stuffed Poblano Peppers!)
• Onion & Garlic: These are both for flavor.
• Flour: The flour will help to thicken the sauce slightly.
• Chicken Broth: This is a a great trick to save on some calories and richness – use chicken broth for the majority of the sauce. You could also use vegetable broth, but the chicken broth will bring in more flavor.
• Mexican Crema: If you have never had Mexican crema, it is almost a mixture of sour cream and heavy cream. It is available at most grocery stores in the refrigerated section near the Mexican cheeses. If you can’t find it, I would use sour cream thinned out with some milk.
• Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, make sure it is completely thawed and dried. You do want shrimp that is deveined, peeled, and with the tails removed.

How to Make Shrimp Pasta with Poblano Cream Sauce

Start by cooking your pasta in boiling water. While the pasta cooks, chop your chile, onion, and garlic.

Add part of the butter to a skillet, then add the pepper and onion and cook until they are softened. Stir in the garlic.

Add the flour and cook for a couple of minutes.

Stir in the chicken broth. Let this mixture cook until the sauce has started to thicken.

Stir in the Mexican crema, then transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor.

Blend until the sauce is smooth.

Cook the shrimp in the remaining butter.

Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce and the shrimp and stir to combine.

Tips and Tricks

The poblano pepper is not a spicy pepper. If you want to add some heat, add in a jalapeno at the same time as the pepper.

For some extra flavor, try roasting your pepper and onions. If you roast the pepper, I would suggest removing the skin after it is roasted.

You want to warm the crema before adding it to the sauce so that it won’t separate.

If you want to save some time, you can make the poblano cream sauce ahead of time and then reheat it when you want to make the meal.

Don’t forget to save some of the pasta water! The starchy water is the perfect way to loosen up the sauce if it gets too thick or dry.

You can serve this pasta on its own, or serve it with some Homemade Breadsticks or Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Like most pastas with a cream sauce, this will start to dry out the longer it sits. So I like to keep some of the pasta water and add it in as I am reheating leftovers. If you don’t keep any of the pasta water, you can add in more chicken broth.

The best way to reheat the pasta is very gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Remember that shrimp that is reheated is often tough and rubbery, so this is best served right after it is made. But I do still love the leftovers!

More Shrimp Favorites

Moo Shu Shrimp
Shrimp Po’Boy
Garlic Baked Shrimp
Cajun Shrimp
Skillet Shrimp Fajitas