This Easy Rattlesnake Pasta Is a Comforting Dinner

It’s a fan-favorite from Uno Pizzeria & Grill.

By
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Food and wine writer, recipe developer, and the author of Mediterranean Every Day. Her work can be found in numerous online and print publications.
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Published December 30, 2024
Sheela Prakash
Overhead view of rattlesnake pasta topped cheese and jalapenos light in green plate along with a fork and next to an orange napkin and blue drinking glass on a beige background

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

I’m not quite sure where Rattlesnake Pasta got its name, but what I do know is that this popular dish from Uno Pizzeria & Grill is decadent, creamy, and oh-so-comforting. The addition of jalapeños in the sauce lends this dish its rattlesnake-like bite, while red bell peppers provide sweet crunch and Parmesan cheese gives plenty of savoriness to every forkful.

This one-pot version of the restaurant favorite comes together fast and is quite customizable. Use bowtie pasta instead of penne, replace some or all of the cheddar cheese with Gruyère or Asiago, or spice it up even further by sprinkling in some Cajun seasoning. You could even stir in some corn or black beans to make this dinner even heartier.

Tips and Tricks for Making This Pasta

  • Be sure to stir your pasta frequently while cooking to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t clump up or stick to the bottom of the pot.
  • Heavy pots like Dutch ovens are best for one-pot pasta dishes. They retain heat more evenly and prevent scorching, which can be easy to do in these types of creamy pastas.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave in 10 to 15-second bursts. Alternatively, reheat leftovers on the stovetop, adding additional stock as needed to loosen the pasta.
Overhead view of rattlesnake pasta topped cheese and jalapenos in two light green plates along with a fork and next to an orange napkin, bowl of jalapenos, bowl of cheese and a bottle of hot sauce on a beige background

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

More Copycat Recipes To Try

Rattlesnake Pasta

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 4 servings

This recipe was developed by Renu Dhar

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños, plus extra slices for serving

  • 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 12 ounces dried penne pasta

  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock

  • 1 large red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

  • Hot sauce, optional (for serving)

Method

  1. Cook the jalapeños and garlic:

    Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the jalapeños and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  2. Cook the chicken and pasta:

    Stir in the chicken, pasta, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes.

    Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente with a bit of liquid left at the bottom of the Dutch oven, 10 to 12 minutes.

  3. Make the sauce:

    Uncover and stir in the bell pepper, cream, and salt until combined.

    Remove the pot from the heat. Gradually add the Parmesan in 2 or 3 additions, stirring until smooth before adding more cheese. Add 1/4 cup of the cheddar cheese and stir until smooth. Season to taste with additional salt.

  4. Garnish and serve:

    Divide the pasta among 4 shallow serving bowls and top evenly with the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese. Drizzle with hot sauce, if desired, and top with more Parmesan and jalapeños. Serve immediately.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
666 Calories
35g Fat
38g Carbs
49g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 666
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 18g 88%
Cholesterol 160mg 53%
Sodium 1405mg 61%
Total Carbohydrate 38g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 49g
Vitamin C 88mg 440%
Calcium 512mg 39%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 484mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.