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17 Recipes to Turn Up the Taste and the Heat

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Need dinner ideas that are full of flavor and a little bit of heat? These spicy recipes are delicious and easy to adjust if you prefer less spice. They are simple to cook and won’t leave you with a big mess to clean up. You’ll find everything from quick noodles to hearty stews that are sure to satisfy.

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Crock Pot Lamb Curry

A bowl of yellow rice and curry garnished with herbs sits on a colorful paisley-patterned cloth. Two forks lie beside it. A small bowl of yellow rice and a bowl of fresh cilantro are placed nearby on a wooden table.
Crock Pot Lamb Curry. Photo by The Roasted Root

Lamb cooks slowly in the crock pot with warm, fragrant spices until it’s fall-apart tender. Crock Pot Lamb Curry is a cozy and flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Lamb Curry

Chipotle Carne Asada

Chipotle carne asada tacos served on a decorative Mexican plate next to red rice.
Chipotle Carne Asada. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This grilled steak is marinated in a smoky, spicy chipotle sauce. Chipotle Carne Asada is full of bold flavor and perfect for tacos or bowls.
Get Recipe: Chipotle Carne Asada

Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

A bowl of roasted potatoes seasoned with spices and garnished with chopped green herbs. A black spoon is resting in the bowl. The bowl is placed on a patterned tablecloth next to a plate of lemons.
Spicy Lebanese Potatoes. Photo by A Cedar Spoon

Potato cubes are fried until crispy and tossed in a mix of warm spices. Spicy Lebanese Potatoes are a flavorful and easy side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

Panela Cheese and Poblano Peppers (Queso con Chile)

Queso con Chile served in a decorative blue plate next to pinto beans and a cactus salad.
Queso con Chile. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Soft panela cheese is served in a warm, spicy tomato and poblano pepper sauce. Queso con Chile is a simple, comforting, and cheesy dish.
Get the Recipe: Queso con Chile

Spicy Gochujang Tofu (Vegan Korean Crispy Tofu Recipe)

A close-up of spicy Korean chicken garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, served on a bed of white rice. One piece of chicken is being picked up, showing its crispy texture and vibrant red sauce.
Spicy Gochujang Tofu. Photo by Someone Feed Seb

Crispy tofu cubes are coated in a sweet and spicy Korean gochujang sauce. Spicy Gochujang Tofu is a delicious and easy vegan dish.
Get the recipe: Spicy Gochujang Tofu

Red Beef Pozole

Red beef pozole served in a deep bowl, topped with lettuce, chopped cilantro, and two slices of chili.
Red Beef Pozole. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a hearty Mexican soup with tender beef, hominy, and a red chili broth. Red Beef Pozole is a comforting and flavorful stew.
Get the Recipe: Red Beef Pozole

Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and tofu in a wok, garnished with sesame seeds. The dish includes spaghetti noodles, broccoli, sugar snap peas, and onions, and is seasoned with a flavorful sauce. Chopsticks rest on the side of the dish.
Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles. Photo by The Sassy Foodie

This dish combines chicken and noodles in a sweet, sour, and spicy peanut sauce. Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles is a fast and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

Pambazo Sandwich

A close-up of a pambazo sandwich sits on a white plate. The sandwich is filled with seasoned chorizo, potatoes, shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of crema, all encased in a red sauce-dipped, toasted bread roll. The background shows a rustic wooden surface.
Pambazo Sandwich. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This Mexican sandwich is made by dipping bread in a spicy red chili sauce. The Pambazo Sandwich is filled with chorizo and potatoes for a hearty meal.
Get Recipe: Pambazo

Rigatoni Arrabbiata

A plate of rigatoni pasta topped with a rich, red tomato sauce. The pasta is garnished with chopped herbs, adding a touch of green. The dish is served on a white plate, set on a rustic wooden table.
Rigatoni Arrabbiata. Photo by Marcellina Cucina

This simple pasta dish has a spicy tomato sauce with garlic and red pepper. Rigatoni Arrabbiata is a classic Italian meal ready in under thirty minutes.
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni Arrabbiata

Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales

Pork and Nopales in chile colorado sauce served on a white plate.
Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Tender pork and cactus are cooked in a rich, spicy red chili sauce. Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales is a delicious and authentic Mexican stew.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chile Colorado with Nopales

South Indian Chicken Curry

A plate of curry chicken and yellow rice garnished with fresh herbs. The dish is served on a black plate with slices of naan bread in the background, placed on a red cloth.
South Indian Chicken Curry. Photo by: Pain The Kitchen Red

This creamy curry is packed with fragrant spices but is only mildly spicy. South Indian Chicken Curry is a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: South Indian Chicken Curry

Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla served next to white rice and lime wedges.
Camarones a la Diabla. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These shrimp are cooked in a fiery, bright red chili sauce. Camarones a la Diabla, or Deviled Shrimp, is a bold and fast seafood dish.
Get Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Chicken in Creamy Poblano Sauce

A plate with white rice, steamed broccoli, and chicken covered in a creamy green sauce speckled with corn kernels, perfect for those exploring spicy recipes.
Poblano Chicken. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Chicken is cooked in a rich, creamy sauce made from roasted poblano peppers. Chicken in Creamy Poblano Sauce is a comforting and smoky dish.
Get the Recipe: Pollo en Crema Poblana

Pork Chile Rellenos 

A stuffed Pork Chile Relleno, drizzled with Mexican crema, served on a white plate.
Pork Chile Relleno. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Poblano peppers are stuffed with seasoned pork and cheese, then fried. Pork Chile Rellenos are a hearty and traditional Mexican dish.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chile Rellenos

Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry

A bowl of red creamy curry with shrimp garnished with cilantro leaves, served on a black plate. A piece of flatbread is on the side, and a golden lid is partially visible in the foreground.
Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry. Photo by Tiffin and Tea

Prawns are simmered in a spicy and fragrant tomato-based curry sauce. Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry is a quick and tasty meal over rice.
Get the Recipe: Easy Indian Masala Prawns Curry

Easy Vegan Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Two bowls of noodle soup garnished with greens, red chilies, lime slices, and mushrooms on a light surface. Surrounding items include fresh herbs, chilies, mint, garlic, and spices. Chopsticks rest on the bowls, and a red napkin is nearby.
Vegan Pho. Photo credit: Happy Kitchen

This is a lighter, meat-free version of the classic Vietnamese noodle soup. Easy Vegan Pho is a fresh, healthy, and flavorful broth with rice noodles.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Crispy Aloo Pakora – Potato Bajia – Tiffin And Tea

A plate filled with vibrant orange fritters, possibly Indian pakoras, served on a brown, round dish. The fritters appear crispy and are piled on each other, filling the plate.
Crispy Aloo Pakora. Photo by Tiffin And Tea

Potato slices are coated in a spiced chickpea batter and fried until crispy. Crispy Aloo Pakora is a popular Indian snack, perfect for dipping.
Get Recipe: How to make Crispy Aloo Pakora – Potato Bajia

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About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the face behind In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been publishing Mexican recipes and creating delicious recipes since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.