Rasta Pasta Recipe (Creamy Jerk Pasta with Bell Peppers)

Rasta Pasta is a colorful dish with a creamy sauce and Jamaican jerk seasoning that is both sweet and spicy. It commonly contains red, yellow, and green bell peppers associated with the Rastafarian culture. The sauce is creamy and moderately spicy and, because of that, is the perfect accompaniment to the rest of the dish. Jerk chicken and shrimp can be added as proteins while keeping the dish vegetarian is also an option. The dish is simple and takes less time than going to a restaurant to order a similar dish.

This recipe works with several proteins and spice levels. Heavy cream, half and half, and even a mixture of the two can be used. The dish can also be sweet and spicy depending on your preference. The dish is built layer by layer by seasoning the protein used, sautéing the peppers, and finishing the dish with a creamy jerk sauce.

What Is Rasta Pasta?

Rasta pasta is a Jamaican-inspired fusion dish made with,

• pasta (normally penne)
• jerk sauce (smokey, spicy, aromatic)
• bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
• a cream sauce (usually cream and parmesan)
• and often chicken or shrimp.

It is a dish that has become popular because, it is quick, has a lot of flavor and is also quite pretty. The cream sauce and peppers combine to add sweetness and a crunchy balance to the heat of the jerk sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

• Cream + jerk seasoning is a balanced sauce that is spicy, savory, a little sweet, and rich.
• Bell peppers add a natural sweetness and lighten the dish.
• Pasta water is a trick to sauce emulsification. It will help the cream sauce to wrap around the pasta and not turn greasy.
• One-pan finish. The pasta will absorb flavor, not just sauce that is poured on top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta

• Penne is the most common choice because of the way it gets sauce.
• Other good options are: rigatoni, rotini, farfalle, and fettuccine.

Protein (choose one)

• Chicken breast (lean, quick)
• Chicken thighs (juicier, more forgiving)
• Shrimp (fastest option)
• Or keep it vegetarian.

Vegetables

• Red bell pepper
• Yellow bell pepper
• Green bell pepper
• Onion (recommended but optional)
• Garlic (recommended)

Seasoning

• Jerk Seasoning (either homemade or store bought)
• Different brands have different levels of heat, so start low and go in what some would call a jerk
• Smoked Paprika (optional for a little more depth)
• Salt and black pepper

Creamy Sauce Base

• Heavy cream (richest option)
• Half-and-Half (lightest option)
• Cream Cheese (optional for a little more body)
• Parmesan (adds saltiness and nuttiness, as well as helps to thicken)

Acid/Brightness (extremely critical)

• Lime juice (preferred)
• Or a splash of vinegar

A splash of vinegar and some juice adds a nice brightness and depth to the flavor of the sauce and prevents the sauce from tasting flat.

Rasta Pasta Recipe (Chicken Version)

Servings

4 to 6

Time

35 to 45 minutes

Ingredients

Pasta

• 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
• Salt for pasta water

Chicken

• 1 lb (450 g) sliced chicken breast or thighs
• 2 tbsp jerk seasoning (if really spicy, start with 1.5 tbsp)
• 1 tsp (optional) garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Veggies

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 small onion (optional, but great)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 green bell pepper (sliced)

Creamy jerk sauce

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 to 1.5 cups heavy cream (if starting with 1 cup, it is fine to add more later)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or reserved water from pasta)
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 to 2 teaspoons lime juice (to taste)

Optional Garnish

• Green onion (sliced)
• Cilantro or parsley (fresh)
• Extra lime wedges

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

1. To a large pot, add water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil.
2. Cook penne until almost al dente (1 minute shorter than the time listed on the package).
3. Keep 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain.

Why do we do this?

The pasta continues cooking in the sauce so it will not get mushy.

Step 2: Season the chicken

1. Dry the chicken.
2. Mix with jerk seasoning and (optional) garlic powder.
3. Put aside and slice the peppers (5–10 minutes is helpful).

Step 3: Brown the chicken

1. Pour olive oil in a large skillet and heat over medium-high.
2. Place chicken in a single layer (you can do this in parts).
3. Brown and cook all the way through for 3–4 minutes on each side.
4. Put chicken on a plate.

Ignore the brown spots in the pan. They will create the sauce.

Step 4: Cook the peppers and onions

1. Turn down the heat to medium.
2. Put in the butter and then the sliced onions (if using butter). Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Put in all of the bell peppers. Cook until 5–7 minutes until firm and cooked.
4. Put garlic in and cook for 30 seconds.

You want the peppers to be firm and not soft. They should be a little crunchy.

Step 5: Create the creamy jerk sauce

1. Add chicken broth (or a bit of pasta water) and deglaze the pan.
2. Add heavy cream, smoked paprika (if desired), and black pepper.
3. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes (just below the boiling point).
4. Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue until the sauce is melted and smooth.

If the sauce becomes too thick, it is possible to thin it by adding a small amount of pasta water.

Step 6: Mix it all together

1. Toss the cooked pasta and the sauce together until the sauce is evenly distributed.
2. Add the chicken back in (with the juices).
3. Toss for 1-2 minutes until everything is evenly heated.

Step 7: Finish with lime

Once again, taste and adjust:

• More jerk seasoning for heat
• More cream for a mellow and rich sauce
• More lime for a fresh and sour kick
• More salt if desired (think the sauce is lacking salt). Even jerk seasoning and Parmesan cheese can supply plenty of salt).

What is Rasta Pasta Like?

It is entirely dependent on what jerk seasoning you use. Some can be low and mild. Others can be really fiery.

So, if you are sourcing out seasoning for the first time and are unsure, try starting with 1-1 1/2 tablespoons for 1 lb chicken.

• More can always be added at the end.

To reduce the heat after cooking, you can:

• Add a splash more of cream
• Add more of the parmesan
• Serve with more lime, and a cooling side (such as a simple salad)

Shrimp Rasta Pasta (Quick Option)

This sauce goes great with shrimp as shrimp cooks quickly.

Swap-in Instructions

• Use 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined.
• Toss shrimp with 1 to 1½ tbsp jerk seasoning.
• Sear shrimp for 1–2 min on each side until pink and curled.
• Remove shrimp, make sauce, then add shrimp back at the end if you don’t want to overcook them.

Vegetarian Rasta Pasta

You can make a satisfying version without meat and still have a bold flavor.

Best add-ins

• Browned well Sliced Mushrooms
• Zucchini (sauté)
• Spinach (added at the end)
• drained and rinsed Chickpeas
• Black beans (good with jerk flavor)

Tip for extra flavor without meat

Use a little:

• smoked paprika
• extra garlic
• a splash of vegetable broth to deglaze
• Parmesan (or a vegetarian Parmesan alternative)

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1) Sauce breaks or turns greasy

If the sauce is hard boiling or cheese is added too quickly, it can cause the sauce to break or become greasy.

Fix:

• Maintain a gentle simmer on the sauce
• Add cheese gradually
• Use pasta cooking liquid to bring it back together

2) Pasta gets too soft

Fix:

• Cook pasta al dente
• Finish sauce for only 1–2 minutes

3) Dish tastes flat

Creamy sauces often need to be paired.

Adjusting To Taste

4) Too Spicy

Fix:

• More pasta, more cream, or some cream cheese. Bulk (add more ingredients) reduces heat.
• Extra lime(s) and a cooling side (dessert) can tone it down.

More “Jerk”

Without just heat, you can have a deeper “jerk” flavor. Consider the following:

• 1 tsp brown sugar\n- a few thyme leaves (fresh or dried)
• a small splash of soy sauce (adds umami; use sparingly)
• a touch of grated ginger (classic jerk note)

Good Side Dishes

• Garlic bread or toasted baguette
• Simple green salad with lime vinaigrette
• Fried plantains (sweet contrast)
• Steamed green beans
• Roasted broccoli
• Pineapple salsa (great with spicy jerk)

Storage

Fridge

Stored in an airtight container, it will last 3-4 days.

Reheat (best method)

Reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water, broth, or milk.\nStir gently until creamy again.

Microwave

Microwave in short bursts and stir in between. Start with a splash of liquid.

Freezing (not ideal, but possible)

Cream sauces will change in texture after they are frozen. If you really have to freeze it do the following:

• Freeze it for a maximum of 2 months
• Thaw it slowly in the fridge overnight
• Reheat it slowly with more liquid added

Rasta Pasta FAQ

What pasta is best?

Classic is penne, but any shape that can hold sauce will work.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

You can but the sauce is more likely to break and will be thinner. If using milk do the following:

• Add 2 to 3 tbsp of cream cheese or a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp of cornstarch + 1 tbsp of water) to help stabilize it.

Is Parmesan traditional?

Rasta pasta is fusion so parmesan being used is common as a lot of recipes use it because it helps to thicken the sauce and gives in some umami. Though you can also put in a Caribbean touch and use a bit of shredded cheddar or a cheese blend, don’t overdo it.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes, just use gluten-free pasta and make sure your jerk seasoning is gluten-free (some blends have wheat as an additive).

Is there a way to prepare this without dairy?

This can be made without dairy by using full-fat coconut milk as the creamy base and omitting the cheese or using a dairy-free alternative to cheese. Using coconut milk complements the jerk spice.

Brief Overview of the Recipe

1. Prepare the pasta and save some of the water from the pot.
2. Season and cook the chicken (or shrimp) on one side.
3. Cook the peppers, onions, and garlic.
4. Add the broth and cream, then stir in the cheese.
5. Combine the pasta and protein with the sauce.
6. Add some lime juice and serve immediately.

Explore More

For more valuable resources on cooking delicious seafood recipes, guides, and tips, visit our website to create more excellent meals at home.