Description
Jamaican Rasta Pasta weaves spicy Caribbean flavors into a luxurious shrimp-laden masterpiece that dances with bold, colorful ingredients. Creamy, zesty sauce and perfectly seasoned prawns promise a culinary journey through Jamaica’s rich, spirited cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (453 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 g) penne pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil penne pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain completely, keeping 1/2 cup pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Generously coat raw shrimp with Jamaican jerk seasoning, ensuring even coverage across each piece.
- Heat skillet with butter and olive oil over medium-high temperature. Sear seasoned shrimp for 2 minutes per side until vibrant pink and slightly charred. Transfer to separate plate.
- Using identical skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 1-2 minutes. Incorporate sliced bell peppers, cooking until edges become slightly caramelized.
- Stream heavy cream and chicken broth into vegetable mixture, creating smooth base. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes before whisking in Parmesan cheese until sauce transforms into creamy consistency.
- Fold cooked pasta into sauce, thoroughly coating each noodle. Adjust sauce thickness by gradually adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Reintroduce seared shrimp into pasta, mixing with chopped green onions and fresh lime juice for brightness.
- Finish dish with freshly chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese sprinkle. Serve immediately while sauce remains silky and warm.
Notes
- Customize jerk seasoning intensity by adjusting the amount of spice to suit personal heat preferences.
- Swap shrimp with chicken or tofu for alternative protein options that maintain the dish’s vibrant Caribbean flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the creamy texture and zesty taste.
- Reduce heavy cream calories by substituting half with coconut milk for a lighter yet still luxurious sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg