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Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta – A Spicy, Cheesy, Irresistible One-Pot Comfort Dish
If you crave cheesy, creamy, slightly spicy pasta dishes that come together quickly and taste like something from your favorite restaurant, Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta is about to become your new weeknight hero. With its silky smooth pepper jack cheese sauce, gentle kick of heat, and perfect al dente pasta, this dish is the ideal balance of comfort, richness, and flavor.
Pepper Jack cheese doesn’t get enough love in pasta sauces — but it should. Not only does it melt beautifully, but it also brings its signature subtle heat and creamy texture to the sauce without overpowering the other flavors. When mixed with garlic, butter, milk, and broth, it creates a luscious sauce that clings to every noodle.
This is not your typical Alfredo. It’s more flavorful, more exciting, and has a spark that keeps every bite interesting. Even better, it’s all made on the stovetop in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when you still want a satisfying home-cooked meal.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping, hosting friends, or just treating yourself to a delicious bowl of cozy pasta, this Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta recipe delivers every time.
Let’s break down exactly how to make the best batch — plus tips, variations, and serving ideas to customize it to your taste.
What Makes Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta So Special?
1. Pepper Jack brings built-in flavor.
Traditional pasta recipes rely on Parmesan or mozzarella, but pepper jack adds its own punch of spice without needing extra ingredients.
2. The sauce is ultra-creamy.
Just a few simple ingredients — butter, flour, milk, broth, and cheese — create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
3. It’s incredibly fast.
Dinner is ready in 25–30 minutes from start to finish.
4. Customizable spice level.
Add jalapeños, chili flakes, hot sauce, or keep it mild.
5. A one-pot feel-good classic.
This pasta is the definition of comfort food — rich, cheesy, and cozy.
Ingredients
– Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta Ingredients –
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, shells, or rigatoni)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small green or red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cups milk or half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta.
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
2. Sauté aromatics.
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and bell pepper and cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
3. Add garlic.
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Build the roux.
Add flour and stir for 1 minute until it forms a paste.
5. Add liquids.
Whisk in broth and milk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Melt in the cheese.
Add shredded pepper jack cheese and stir until completely melted and creamy.
7. Season.
Add paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using.
8. Add pasta.
Toss drained pasta in the sauce. Use reserved pasta water for extra creaminess if desired.
9. Garnish & serve.
Top with parsley and extra pepper jack if you love it extra cheesy.
Creamy Pepper Jack Pasta
A rich, creamy, slightly spicy pasta made with melted pepper jack cheese, garlic, onions, and peppers in a silky smooth sauce.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook pasta until al dente and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in flour to form a roux and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in broth and milk until smooth.
- Add pepper jack cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
- Season with paprika, salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes.
- Toss pasta with sauce and add pasta water if needed for creaminess.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or cream cheese at the end.
Tips for the BEST Pepper Jack Pasta
1. Use freshly grated cheese.
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents and won’t melt as smoothly.
2. Keep the heat low when melting cheese.
High heat can cause the sauce to separate.
3. Reserve pasta water.
It helps achieve the perfect glossy consistency.
4. Add protein if desired.
This pasta is great with chicken, shrimp, sausage, or crispy bacon.
5. Adjust spice level easily.
Pepper jack is mild-medium spicy, so you can build the heat as you like.
Delicious Variations
Spicy Cajun Version
Add a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the sauce.
Creamier Alfredo-Style Version
Add ½ cup heavy cream.
Veggie Add-Ins
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
Protein Add-Ins
- Blackened chicken
- Grilled shrimp
- Andouille sausage
- Crispy bacon
Mexican-Inspired Variation
Add corn, black beans, lime juice, and cilantro.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with grilled or pan-seared chicken
- Serve with toasted garlic bread
- Pair with a green salad or roasted vegetables
- Add extra pepper jack for a gooier, cheesier bowl
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store up to 4 days.
Reheat:
Warm on low heat with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.
Freezing:
Not recommended due to dairy separation.
The Inspiration Behind This Recipe
Pepper Jack cheese is often used in sandwiches, quesadillas, or melted over burgers — but using it in pasta unlocks a whole new dimension of flavor. It melts flawlessly, brings gentle heat, and creates a cream sauce that feels luxurious yet exciting. This dish is inspired by American comfort food, Tex-Mex spice, and Italian cream-based pastas — a fusion of creamy, spicy, cheesy goodness that’s both comforting and bold.
