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