• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact
    • Press

Honey, Whats Cooking logo

March 20, 2021 5 Comments

Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

Jump to Recipe

Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Chipotle Pasta with bell peppers, asparagus, peas tossed in a parmesan cream sauce. This dish is spicy and smoky.
Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

I’m one of those food snobs who doesn’t enjoy dining at franchises, but there are a few exceptions. The Cheesecake Factory is one of them especially with its extensive menu and incredible cheesecakes.

One of my favorite dishes to order at CCF is the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta, it truly is spicy! Today I’m sharing a vegetarian version.
Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

What is Spicy Chipotle Pasta?

Inspired by The Cheesecake Factory, Spicy Chipotle Pasta is prepared with bell peppers, onions, asparagus, peas, chipotle in a cream-based sauce. Of course, my version is healthier than the real thing because I used milk instead of cream. 

Can I make this recipe vegan and gluten-free?

Yes and yes!

For vegan, simply replace the milk with unsweetened cashew milk and butter with vegan butter.
For gluten-free, replace the pasta and tortilla strips with gluten-free versions.

Can I make Spicy Chipotle Pasta less spicy?

Yes! This dish is spicy! I used 3 chipotle peppers, feel free to use just 2 peppers or just add in some adobo sauce from a can if you can’t handle chipotle peppers. Additionally, you can skip the chipotle powder or just add paprika instead for color.

Tips on making Spicy Chipotle Pasta:

  • Steam your asparagus for 3 minutes and immediately add it to ice-cold water. This process will shock the asparagus and stop the cooking process so the asparagus will remain bright green.
  • Prepare your Chipotle Sauce in a blender or Nutri Bullet.
  • Chop your veggies.
  • Saute the veggies and make a roux to help thicken the sauce. We are using milk in this recipe, NOT heavy cream.
  • When adding Chipotle Sauce to the veggies, make sure you pour the sauce slowly – a little at a time to prevent curdling.
  • Add pasta, asparagus, and peas. Toss and garnish!

Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

Spicy Chipotle Pasta is:

Spicy
Smoky
Flavorful
Vegetarian
Comforting
Satisfying
Gluten-Free option (see below)
Vegan option (see below)
Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

How to make Spicy Chipotle Pasta recipe step by step?

Prep

Boil water. Chop veggies. Steam asparagus.

1. Boil a pot of water. You will be using this to steam the asparagus first and then cook the pasta.
2. In the meantime, chop all your veggies – garlic, onions, red & yellow bell peppers. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces.
3. Once water boils, add asparagus. Steam for 3 minutes.
4. Add asparagus to ice-cold water. This will stop the cooking process.

Make the sauce

1. Add 3 chipotle peppers and salt to milk. 
2. Blend. This is what you should have. Set aside.

Cook Spicy Chipotle Pasta

1. Heat up a dutch castiron, once hot, add oil followed by chopped garlic. Cook for a minute.
2. Add onions and bell peppers. Season with salt. Saute for 6 minutes until softened and golden.
3. In the meantime, add whole wheat penne to the boiling hot water from earlier. Follow the instructions on the package and cook the pasta.

4. Once onions and bell peppers soften, add 2 tbsp of butter. 
5. Once melted, add 2 tbsp Desi atta (or all-purpose flour) and cook for a minute. This will help thicken up the sauce.
6. Very slowly add the chipotle sauce a little at a time to avoid curdling. 
7. Using a wooden spoon, mix the veggies with the sauce. Continue doing this until all the sauce has been added. Cook the sauce for 3 minutes until hot.

.

8. Add honey and dry chipotle powder.
9. Add all the penne. Mix well. Make sure you save the reserved pasta water for later.
10. Now add frozen peas (rinsed under warm water) and asparagus. Mix.
11. Add grated parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water at this time.

12. Mix well. Check for salt.

Garnish

1. Add more freshly grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro/parsley and tortilla strips.
Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

 

Enjoy!
Spicy Chipotle Pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free option)

 

More Pasta Recipes!

  • Sun-dried Tomato and Spinach Pasta
  • Black Bean Enchilada Pasta
  • Tikka Masala Pasta
  • Indian Vegetarian Meatless Meatball with Paneer
  • Truffle Mac and Cheese
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Spicy Chipotle Pasta

Cheesecake Factory's Spicy Chipotle Pasta with bell peppers, asparagus, peas tossed in a parmesan cream sauce. This dish is spicy and smoky.
4.67 from 3 votes
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian Inspired, Mexican-Inspired
Diet Vegetarian, Gluten-free option, Vegan option
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 520kcal
Author: Nisha

Equipment

Le Creuset 3.5 qt
Spider Strainer
Lucini Olive Oil
NutriBullet

Ingredients

for asparagus and pasta

  • pot of boiling water
  • 2 cups asparagus 1-inch slices
  • 1 pound whole wheat penne pasta

for chipotle sauce

  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 3 chipotle peppers
  • 1/2 tsp salt

for chipotle pasta

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cups asparagus steamed
  • 2 tbsp desi atta or all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • add chipotle sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp pure honey
  • 2 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1 pound pasta cooked
  • 2 cups asparagus steamed
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas run underwater
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

for garnish

  • few cilantro/parsley chopped
  • tortilla strips

Instructions

Boil water. Chop veggies. Steam asparagus.

  • Boil a pot of water. You will be using this to steam the asparagus first and then cook the pasta.
  • In the meantime, chop all your veggies - garlic, onions, red & yellow bell peppers. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces.
  • Once water boils, add asparagus. Steam for 3 minutes.
  • Add asparagus to ice-cold water. This will stop the cooking process.

Make the sauce

  • Add 3 chipotle peppers and salt to milk.
  • Blend. This is what you should have. Set aside.

Cook Spicy Chipotle Pasta

  • Heat up a dutch castiron, once hot, add oil followed by chopped garlic. Cook for a minute.
  • Add onions and bell peppers. Season with salt. Saute for 6 minutes until softened and golden.
  • In the meantime, add whole wheat penne to the boiling hot water from earlier. Follow the instructions on the package and cook the pasta.
  • Once onions and bell peppers soften, add 2 tbsp of butter.
  • Once melted, add 2 tbsp Desi atta (or all-purpose flour) and cook for a minute. This will help thicken up the sauce.
  • Very slowly add the chipotle sauce a little at a time to avoid curdling.
  • Using a wooden spoon, mix the veggies with the sauce. Continue doing this until all the sauce has been added. Cook the sauce for 3 minutes until hot.
  • .
  • Add honey and dry chipotle powder.
  • Add all the penne. Mix well. Make sure you save the reserved pasta water for later.
  • Now add frozen peas (rinsed under warm water) and asparagus. Mix.
  • Add grated parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water at this time.
  • Mix well. Check for salt.

Garnish

  • Add more freshly grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro/parsley and tortilla strips.

Notes

for gluten-free: replace pasta with gluten-free pasta. Also, use gluten-free tortilla strips.
for vegan option: replace milk with unsweetened cashew milk and butter with vegan butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 795mg | Potassium: 832mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 2341IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking!

 

Previous Post: « Masala Fries Animal Style (baked, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Next Post: Thandai Truffles (eggless, gluten free, vegan option) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ramya says

    March 20, 2021 at 11:10 AM

    will be making this soon with few subs i love pasta sooooooooooooo much will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya

    Reply
    • honeywhatscooking says

      March 21, 2021 at 1:59 AM

      Sure sounds good. Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Harvinder says

    March 31, 2021 at 4:37 PM

    5 stars
    Was so yum.. everyone loved it. Something different from regular pasta

    Reply
    • honeywhatscooking says

      April 3, 2021 at 12:28 AM

      Thanks so much Harvinder. So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 If you have a pic – do share with me on Insta.

      Reply
  3. Reema says

    April 12, 2021 at 2:08 AM

    5 stars
    Spicy chipotle pasta was a big hit with my hubby thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar





Subscribe

Don't miss a single post!

Trending

  • Mexican Pizza Taco Bell (vegetarian)
  • World’s BEST Spaghetti RAO’s Homemade Marina...
  • Bombay Grilled Sandwich (vegetarian, gf option)
  • Indian Afternoon Tea
  • Gajar Ka Halwa | Indian Carrot Pudding (gf)
  • Lavash Bread Pizza (vegetarian, healthyish, 8 ingr...
  • Green Moong Dal Khichdi (healthy)
  • Baked Falafel (healthy, dairy free)

Footer

About Me

A foodie who is passionate about living a healthy-ish lifestyle, cooking, and traveling. You'll find a mix of everything here and lots of seasonal content. I moved from Jersey City leaving behind my family & friends to beautiful Southern California for love. I'm adjusting to the laid-back SoCal lifestyle and learning a lot about myself along the way. Come join me on a soul searching journey and I'll tell YOU "what's cooking" through my love for food, fashion, and travel.

Birthday celebration at Bestia with my bestie 🥰 Birthday celebration at Bestia with my bestie 🥰. Made my own reservations a month ago and dragged Sanjiv all the way to LA. Anyone else?

Had a wonderful birthday celebrating with Krish, Sanjiv, and my MIL (swipe👈🏽). Thank you all for the bday wishes over DM. 🙏🏼 So grateful for all the love in my life. Cheers to health, happiness, and another year around the sun! 🧿

📍@bestiadtla in DTLA. 4.75 / 5 ⭐️ 
👏🏽 Outstanding service!
✨ Favorites: wine / burrata pizza / ricotta tortelli / torpedo onion & potato agnolotti / panna cotta

.
.
#birthdaycelebration #bestiadtla #loveofmylife #happybirthday #birthdaymemories #expressyou #madisonreed
Heaven in a bowl. I can’t tell you how easy it i Heaven in a bowl. I can’t tell you how easy it is to make TOFU THAI RED CURRY - even if you can’t find kaffir lime leaves. There is no ginger and garlic in this recipe, and there is no need to sauté the veggies. Simply add raw veggies to a simmering coconut gravy and cook the veggies for a few minutes. Flavor the sauce and garnish. Tofu Thai Red Curry is a classic and is the perfect combo of sweet, spicy, and salty flavors. ⁠
⁠
✔️ dairy-free / gluten-free / vegan option / quick & easy meal⁠
✔️ healthier than Thai takeout / tips on making Thai red curry⁠
⁠
✅ Recipe on the blog. Link in bio. [recipe & photos updated]⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#tofuthaicurry #thairedcurry #whatveganseat #thaifood #easydinner #tofurecipes
No Cooking SUMMER QUESADILLAS (aka Black Bean Corn No Cooking SUMMER QUESADILLAS (aka Black Bean Corn Quesadillas). Aside from grilling up your quesadillas, the mix involves zero cooking. These quesadillas are mouthwatering and packed with so much flavor. They're perfect for meal prepping and so versatile - add other veggies/protein of your choice. Serve them up with your favorite salsa or in my case - mango salsa.⁠
⁠
✔️ 27g protein / 10 ingredients / quick & easy / vegetarian / mealprep ideas / whole wheat tortillas⁠
⁠
✅ Recipe on the blog. Link in bio!⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#quesadillas #vegetarianquesadilla #mexicanfood #mealprepideas #10ingredientrecipes #easydinner
Who needs beef when you can make a juicy Veggie Bu Who needs beef when you can make a juicy Veggie Burger with my special sauce? #HeinzPartner Here’s a Veggie Burger Masterpiece using @Heinz Ketchup. It’s thick and rich with the perfect amount of sweetness. This appetizing burger is made with the most simple ingredients - lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, avocado, veggie burger, and my special sauce. Click my link in bio to add these Heinz products to your @Walmart cart and create your own burger masterpiece.⁠
⁠
#HEINZARTBURGER #Walmart⁠
⁠
➡️ Special Sauce Recipe:⁠
1/4 cup Heinz Ketchup⁠
2 tbsp Greek yogurt⁠
2 tbsp cilantro⁠
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper⁠
1 tsp garlic powder⁠
1/8 tsp black pepper⁠
1 tbsp water⁠
⁠
Top sauce over a burger and enjoy! 🍔⁠
Hello, 50K!!!! 🎉 Hit a milestone and celebrated Hello, 50K!!!! 🎉 Hit a milestone and celebrated with a donut… gotta celebrate those milestones no matter how big or small. My journey on Instagram has been slow and steady, but this is exactly where I’m meant to be at this very moment.

To every single person who has ever made a recipe of mine, thank you for your tags/mentions/feedback. You inspire me to create more and more content every single day and give me a purpose. To every person who has left me a blog comment, thank you so much. To you it may not seem like a big deal, but for me your comments have made my day. And to each of you who has liked, commented, saved, and shared my content, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your support has enabled me to grow! I am so grateful to all of you and this IG community! ❤️

#50k #50000followers #milestone #instagramjourney
Follow Me On Instagram
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy

Subscribe for free recipes & monthly newsletter!

Don't miss a single post!

Recent Posts

  • Rava Uttapam (vegetarian)
  • Baked Falafel (healthy, dairy free)
  • Bombay Grilled Sandwich (vegetarian, gf option)
  • Tofu Thai Red Curry (gluten-free, vegan option)
  • Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas (vegetarian)
  • Manchurian Noodles (vegan, gluten-free option)

© 2022 Honey, What's Cooking.