This One Pot Southwestern Alfredo Pasta is super easy to throw together, makes the perfect weeknight meal, and is absolutely delicious! It all comes together in one pot and it is so fast.
Happy Monday, friends!
I am coming at you hot this fine Monday morning with a delicious recipe that is an older popular one. It is a one pot pasta recipe that you are going to absolutely fall in love with if you haven’t made it already.
I came up with this recipe about three years ago when I was doing a TV spot for a brand and they really wanted me to showcase an easy back to school meal. It doesn’t get much easier than this One Pot Southwestern Alfredo Pasta. This recipe is perfect for when you are out of dinner ideas.
How to Make Southwestern Alfredo Pasta
This recipe could not be more simple to make. I love recipes like this that feel like they have been slaved over, but are actually super simple. Here is a brief overview of how it comes together, but be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe.
- Sauté the red peppers and green chiles. Once they are done, remove them and set them aside.
- Cook the pasta. Fill the pot (no need to clean it) with water, and cook the pasta according to package instructions. A minute before the pasta is done, throw in the frozen corn.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Drain the pasta and corn, and return them to the stock pot. Add the red peppers and green chiles back in. Also add in the taco seasoning, alfredo sauce, black beans, and chicken. Stir to combine.
- Enjoy! Garnish each bowl with sour cream, a lime wedge, diced jalapeños, and cilantro if desired. Enjoy warm!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Taco seasoning adds such great flavor to this pasta dish. I love to make my own taco seasoning with a few simple seasonings I always have on hand. You can customize the flavor to be exactly how spicy you like it, and skip all of the added preservatives and additives of storebought taco seasoning.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Cooked Chicken
Part of what makes this recipe come together quickly in one pot is using cooked chicken. Some options are to use leftover chicken, grab a rotisserie chicken from the store, or my favorite, keep frozen cooked chicken in your freezer. It is a great hack for busy weeknight meals!
You could also make this recipe with cooked shrimp.
Freezing Cooked Chicken
Adding Green Chilies
When I first published this recipe, I didn’t have the green chilies in there. Almost immediately I started getting comments on the blog and on social media that all said the same basic thing, “I made this, it is totally amazing, but I added green chilies!” Also, since making this recipe I took a trip to the Southwest and realized that they literally put green chiles on every. single. thing. You all were totally right, this recipe needed green chiles, I don’t know what I was thinking.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if it seems dry.
Other Great Dinner Recipes
If you plan on making this dinner recipe and you still need some other great easy chicken dinners, I have more ideas for you:
If you make this chicken alfredo pasta or any of my other recipes leave me a comment and let me know!
One Pot Southwestern Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red pepper diced
- 3.4 ounces can of diced green chiles
- 2 cups dry penne
- 1 cup frozen corn or the corn from two ears
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 14 ounces jarred alfredo
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and then the diced red pepper and green chiles. Cook until the red peppers are soft, remove from pan and set aside.
- Add 4 cups of water to the saucepan, bring to a boil, and add the penne. One minute before you need to remove the pasta (according to package directions), add the frozen corn. Drain the cooked pasta and warmed corn and return to the pan.
- Stir in the cooked pepper and chiles, chicken, and black beans. Then stir in the alfredo sauce and taco seasoning.
- Serve, topping with sour cream, diced tomatoes, and jalapeños if you like!
did you make this
One Pot Southwestern Alfredo Pasta
Cindy says
Just made this and it was delicious! I had a can of diced tomatoes and green chilis so I used that. I already shared the recipe with my daughters and will definitely be making it again!!
I’m so happy you liked it Cndy!
MEGHAN GRAHAM says
Made this tonight for dinner after finding this recipe over the weekend…it was so yummy! Will definitely make again. Next time I may try and season the chicken a little more though to add flavor. I also added some fresh cilantro on top! Thanks for sharing!!
So glad you liked it Meghan!
Frannie Obrien says
It says put water in pan but how much ??? Water to saucepan???
I’m sorry, that was unclear. The exact amount of water in that step doesn’t matter because you are draining the pasta at the end. It is just enough to cook the pasta.
Elisabeth Crowley says
Could you make this into a crockpot meal?
I would want to play with it a bit. Pasta in the crockpot can be tricky.
Amy says
I was looking for a quick and easy dinner, and this did not disappoint. Everyone in my family loved it. I will definitely make it again.
I’m so glad to hear it!
Maia says
Delicious! My husband is a vegetarian, so we replaced the chicken with a can of roasted tomatoes and extra beans. Perfect, easy weeknight meal paired with garlic bread and a side salad.
I’m so glad you liked it!