Espagueti Verde (Mexican Green Spaghetti)
Creamy Mexican green spaghetti made with roasted poblano peppers blended with cashews, spinach, and garlic. Dairy-free, smoky, and ready in 30 minutes. A lighter version of the classic that everyone loves.
6 people
Calories: 152kcal
Ingredients
- 3 poblano peppers
- 1/2 cup raw cashews soaked 30 min
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, arugula, or a mix
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup almond milk oat milk, or vegetable broth
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Soak cashews in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain.
- Roast poblano peppers in the oven at 350F for 25 minutes (turning halfway) or over a stove flame until fully charred. Place in a bag to steam 5 minutes, then peel, remove stems and seeds.
- Blend roasted poblanos, drained cashews, greens, lemon juice, and liquid until completely smooth. Season with salt.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti to al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Pour blended sauce into the skillet. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add drained pasta and toss until fully coated. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen. Finish with chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Spicy version: Keep poblano seeds/veins or add a serrano to the blender. Nut-free: Replace cashews with 1/2 cup coconut cream.
- Dairy version: Replace cashews with 1/2 cup Mexican crema and 1/4 cup milk.
- Storage: Assembled pasta keeps 3 days in the fridge. Sauce alone keeps 5 days fridge or 3 months freezer.
- Reheat: Warm on stove with a splash of plant milk or pasta water.
- Make ahead: Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cook pasta fresh when serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 0.3mg | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 436IU | Vitamin C: 70mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg