This cranberry and jalapeño pasta dish is creamy, dreamy, delicious pasta with a little sweet and little heat. It all comes together in one skillet and is ready to go in no time at all.

A little bit of sweet combined with a little bit of heat, this cranberry and jalapeño pasta is a match made in heaven. This holiday season jalapeño and cranberry seems to be all the rave and I couldn’t wait to make a pasta dish with this dynamic flavor duo.

My family couldn’t get enough of this easy and delicious one-skillet creamy and jalapeño pasta dish. It went fast!

This creamy cranberry and jalapeño pasta dish is delicious, wholesome comfort that your entire family will love. It’s a one stop dish in the nutrition and flavor department. I added Amylu’s Cranberry and Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs for extra protein and it was so yummy. And the best part? This dish is all ready to go in 20 minutes and made with super simple ingredients.

Get ready to make this cranberry and jalapeño pasta dish on the regular! This one-skillet wonder is not only a time-saver but also a wholesome and satisfying meal that will leave your loved ones asking for more.

why your whole family will love this cranberry and jalapeño pasta recipe

  • Delicious Flavor
  • Nutritious and Balanced
  • Quick and Easy
  • Versatile and Customizable
  • Kid Friendly – you can adjust the heat and it’s very minimal with the seeds removed from the jalapeños!

ingredients

To make this easy, delicious, and wholesome one-pan recipe you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!

Here’s what we are working with:

  • olive oil
  • onion
  • minced garlic
  • jalapeño peppers
  • cranberries
  • uncooked penne pasta
  • chicken broth
  • cream cheese
  • shredded monterey jack cheese
  • green onions

how to make cranberry and jalapeño skillet pasta

In a large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; stir until translucent and soft, 2-3 minutes.

Add diced jalapeños and cranberries to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper; cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and water. Stir then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until almost all the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese, shredded cheese, and diced green onions. Stir until cheese is melted.

Garnish with additional sliced jalapeños and dried cranberries. Enjoy!

can I meal prep creamy cranberry and jalapeño pasta?

Absolutely! This is a quick and easy meal that comes together in one pan which means more time for you to enjoy you weekend without a whole lot of time spent meal prepping. Simply divide this recipe into 4 meal prep containers. The flavors in this creamy sweet and spicy sauce have time to meld together, allowing all that goodness to absorb even more as leftovers. I added Amylu’s Cranberry and Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs for the extra protein to my prep. You will be set for the week with this meal. It’s a fantastic option for a complete, quick, and satisfying meal prep.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

ENJOY!

penne pasta in a creamy sauce topped with sliced jalapeños and cranberries in a black skillet

Creamy Cranberry and Jalapeño Pasta (Easy One-Skillet Meal!)

  • GFGluten-Free
  • SFSugar Free
  • VGVegetarian
This cranberry and jalapeño pasta dish is creamy, dreamy, delicious pasta with a little sweet and little spice. It all comes together in one skillet and is ready to go in no time at all.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2-3 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed, diced + extra sliced jalapeño for garnish
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries, halved
  • 2½ cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey jack or Colby jack cheese
  • ¼ cup green onions, diced
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries, optional for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; stir until translucent and soft, 2-3 minutes. Add diced jalapeños and cranberries to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper; cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and water. Stir then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Uncover and cook until almost all the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese, shredded cheese, and diced green onions. Stir until cheese is melted.
  • Garnish with additional sliced jalapeños and dried cranberries if desired. Enjoy!

Equipment

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