Description
This Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Rasta Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp seasoned with spicy jerk seasoning, combined with colorful bell peppers and a rich creamy Parmesan sauce tossed with rigatoni pasta. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a perfect fusion of Caribbean and Italian flavors that’s both comforting and impressive for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Others
- 12 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with the jerk seasoning until they are evenly coated, infusing them with the bold Caribbean flavors.
- Sear Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they are pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about one minute until fragrant. Then add the sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers, cooking for around 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Make Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the softened vegetables and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the rigatoni or penne pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain well.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce and vegetables. Then, add the seared shrimp back in. Toss everything together gently to combine and warm through for a couple of minutes.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley if desired and serve the dish hot for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley as an optional garnish to add a fresh herbal note and color contrast.
- Adjust the amount of jerk seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk but be mindful the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure to not overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Use rigatoni or penne as they hold the creamy sauce well, but other pasta shapes can be substituted if needed.
