Simple Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe: A Colorful Caribbean Delight

Rocking a vibrant jamaican rasta pasta that bursts with Caribbean flavors can transport you straight to island paradise.

Colorful peppers and spicy seasonings dance together in this mouthwatering dish.

Creamy sauce mingles with bold herbs, creating a culinary adventure that celebrates jamaican cuisine.

Fragrant ingredients whisper stories of tropical landscapes and rich cultural traditions.

Nutritious vegetables and perfectly cooked pasta combine for a meal that satisfies every craving.

Warm up your kitchen and let these incredible flavors guide you toward an unforgettable dining experience.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this delectable masterpiece.

What Makes Jamaican Rasta Pasta a Must-Try

• Spice Up Your Culinary Adventure: Jamaican Rasta Pasta brings bold Caribbean flavors right to your dinner table.
• Craft Gourmet Excitement: This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that impresses family and friends with minimal cooking skills required.
• Protein-Packed Perfection: Combining succulent chicken and tender shrimp creates a protein-rich dish that satisfies serious hunger and delivers incredible taste in every bite.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Jerk seasoning and jalapeños deliver an authentic Caribbean punch, turning a simple pasta dish into a mouthwatering experience that transports your taste buds to tropical paradise.

Jamaican Rasta Pasta Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: A lean meat that provides a rich, savory base for the Jamaican Rasta Pasta.
• Shrimp: Adds a delicate seafood element and brings a sweet, tender texture to the dish.

• Penne Pasta: A tubular pasta that perfectly captures and holds the creamy sauce.
• Jerk Seasoning, Thyme, Black Pepper: Deliver a bold, spicy Jamaican-inspired flavor profile.
• Garlic, Jalapeño: Provide a sharp, zesty kick that enhances the overall taste.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Create a rich, flavorful cooking base for the proteins and sauce.
• Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Combine to form a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce.
• Green Onions, Lime Juice: Add a fresh, bright finish to the final dish.

How to Make Jamaican Rasta Pasta with Ease

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook penne pasta in salted water following package directions until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside for later use.

Step 2: Spice Up Proteins

• Jerk seasoning
• Fresh thyme
• Cracked black pepper
• Minced garlic
• Finely chopped jalapeño

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and completely done, roughly 6-8 minutes.

Step 4: Quick Shrimp Sauté

Remove chicken from skillet and rapidly cook shrimp until they turn pink and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Create Sauce Base

Lower heat and melt butter in the same skillet, developing a rich flavor foundation.

Step 6: Build Creamy Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent burning and create a silky smooth texture.

Step 7: Add Cheese

Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce becomes luxuriously creamy and slightly thickened.

Step 8: Combine Proteins

Return cooked chicken and shrimp to the skillet, gently coating them in the luscious sauce.

Step 9: Mix Pasta

Add cooked penne to the skillet, tossing everything together until pasta is completely covered with sauce and proteins.

Step 10: Final Touches

• Chopped green onions
• Fresh lime juice squeezed on top

Step 11: Serve Immediately

Plate the pasta while piping hot, with an optional extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese for those who want additional richness.

Smart Tips for Cooking Jamaican Rasta Pasta

• Customize Jerk Seasoning: Mix your own jerk blend using ground allspice, thyme, cayenne, and brown sugar for an authentic Jamaican flavor profile.
• Manage Spice Levels: Adjust jalapeño quantity or remove seeds to control heat intensity without losing traditional Caribbean zest.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook penne al dente to prevent mushiness when mixing with creamy sauce, ensuring each bite maintains ideal firmness.
• Select Quality Proteins: Choose fresh, high-grade chicken and shrimp for maximum flavor and tender meat that absorbs jerk seasoning beautifully.
• Balance Creaminess: Add pasta water gradually if sauce becomes too thick, helping create silky consistency without compromising rich taste.

Fun Twists on Jamaican Rasta Pasta

• Veggie Rasta Pasta: Replace chicken and shrimp with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a plant-based version that maintains the bold Jamaican spice profile.
• Caribbean Coconut Rasta Pasta: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk to enhance the tropical flavor and create a richer, more authentic Caribbean-style sauce.
• Spicy Rasta Beef Pasta: Substitute chicken and shrimp with seasoned ground beef or sliced beef strips, keeping the signature jerk seasoning and creamy sauce intact.
• Island Seafood Rasta Pasta: Upgrade the protein by using a mix of fresh seafood like scallops, crab meat, and white fish alongside the existing shrimp for a luxurious ocean-inspired variation.

Best Pairings for Jamaican Rasta Pasta

• Ignite Caribbean Cocktail Pairing: Mix a spicy rum punch with fresh pineapple juice and a hint of ginger, perfectly complementing the jerk-seasoned pasta's bold flavors.
• Cool Tropical Wine Selection: Choose a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer to balance the dish's heat and creamy texture, cutting through the richness while enhancing the Caribbean profile.
• Refresh with Jamaican Beer Match: Crack open a Red Stripe lager, whose light, crisp character cleanses the palate between bites of the spicy, creamy pasta and provides an authentic island drinking experience.

How to Store Leftover Jamaican Rasta Pasta

• Store leftover Jamaican Rasta Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and maintain the sauce's creamy texture.
• Transfer cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the dish's original flavor and consistency.
• If possible, store sauce, chicken, and pasta separately to prevent soggy noodles.

Common Questions About Jamaican Rasta Pasta

• What is jerk seasoning?

Jerk seasoning is a spicy Jamaican blend of herbs and spices including allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, and black pepper, giving dishes a bold, fiery flavor characteristic of Caribbean cuisine.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Reduce or omit the jalapeño and use a mild jerk seasoning to lower the heat while maintaining the signature Caribbean taste profile.

• Do I need special equipment to make Rasta Pasta?

No special equipment is required. A large skillet, pot for pasta, and basic cooking utensils are all you’ll need to create this delicious dish.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is not gluten-free as it uses regular penne pasta.

Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta blends zesty Caribbean spices with al dente pasta, creating a bold fusion of flavors that dance across your palate. Spicy jerk chicken, colorful bell peppers, and rich parmesan cheese make this dish a mouthwatering celebration of Jamaica’s culinary spirit you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Proteins:

• 16 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb jerk chicken
• 0.5 lb shrimp

Main Seasonings and Spices:

• 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeño pepper

Creamy Sauce Components:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup green onions
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lime

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Instructions

1. Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Season chicken and shrimp generously with jerk seasoning, thyme, black pepper, minced garlic, and finely chopped jalapeño.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
4. Remove chicken from skillet, then quickly sauté shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet, creating a rich base for the sauce.
6. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and create a smooth, velvety texture.
7. Incorporate grated parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
8. Return cooked chicken and shrimp to the skillet, gently coating them with the creamy sauce.
9. Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until pasta is evenly covered with sauce and proteins.
10. Finish the dish by sprinkling chopped green onions and squeezing fresh lime juice over the top for a bright, zesty flavor.
11. Serve immediately while hot, garnishing with additional parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• Customize the jerk seasoning intensity to match your spice tolerance, gradually adding more for a bolder flavor profile.
• Swap proteins by using tofu, tempeh, or plant-based chicken alternatives for a vegetarian or vegan version of the dish.
• Use gluten-free penne pasta to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the authentic Jamaican taste.
• Consider prepping ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking and reduce overall kitchen time during meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Jamaican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 823
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1020 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 47 g
• Cholesterol: 174 mg