Get ready to transport your taste buds to the Caribbean with this incredible Creamy Rasta Pasta recipe. This dish is a vibrant explosion of flavor, combining spicy Jamaican jerk seasoning with a rich, velvety coconut milk sauce, all tossed with colorful bell peppers and tender pasta. It’s the perfect fusion of comfort food and bold, exciting flavors.
If you’ve been searching for a meal that’s both deeply satisfying and impressively delicious, you’ve found it. We’re breaking down everything you need to know to create the most amazing Rasta Pasta right in your own kitchen. It’s a straightforward recipe that delivers a restaurant-quality meal every single time.
What Is Rasta Pasta?
Rasta Pasta is a popular Caribbean-inspired dish known for its signature colors—red, green, and yellow—mirroring the colors of the Rastafarian flag. It’s a beautiful culinary tribute that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious.
The Colors of a Culture
The iconic look of the dish comes from sautéed bell peppers. Red, yellow, and green peppers are non-negotiable for an authentic Rasta Pasta. They not only provide the signature colors but also add a wonderful sweetness and crisp-tender texture that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
A Flavor Fusion
The heart of Rasta Pasta is the flavor of jerk seasoning. This complex spice blend, with its notes of allspice, thyme, and fiery Scotch bonnet peppers, infuses the chicken or shrimp with a smoky, spicy kick. This heat is perfectly balanced by a creamy, savory sauce, often made with coconut milk and Parmesan cheese, creating a truly unforgettable taste experience.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Rasta Pasta Recipe
- Bold & Flavorful: The combination of spicy jerk seasoning and creamy coconut sauce is simply irresistible.
- Perfectly Creamy: We use a combination of coconut milk and Parmesan cheese to create a luxurious sauce that clings to every noodle.
- Quick & Easy: This dish comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
- Totally Customizable: Easily swap protein with shrimp or make it vegetarian. You can also adjust the spice level to your liking. If you love spicy dishes, you might also enjoy this Cajun Potato Soup.
The Key Ingredients for Authentic Flavor
The magic of this dish lies in using the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to create the perfect balance of spice, cream, and savory goodness.
For the Jerk Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
- Jerk Seasoning: The star of the show! You can use a high-quality store-bought blend or make your own for maximum flavor.
- Olive Oil: To help cook the chicken and prevent sticking.
For the Creamy Pasta Sauce
- Coconut Milk: Full-fat, canned coconut milk is essential for the richest, creamiest sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Adds a layer of savory depth to the sauce.
- Garlic & Onion: The aromatic foundation of our sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully and adds a salty, nutty flavor.
- Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end brightens everything up.
Pasta and Veggies
- Pasta: Penne is the classic choice, as its tubes are perfect for catching the creamy sauce. Fettuccine or linguine also work well.
- Bell Peppers: One red, one yellow, and one green bell pepper are essential for the signature Rasta colors and a hint of sweetness.
How to Make Creamy Rasta Pasta: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping meal. This recipe is all about building layers of flavor for a truly satisfying result.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Toss your bite-sized chicken pieces with a generous amount of jerk seasoning until they are fully coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a key ingredient for perfecting the sauce consistency.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet used for the chicken, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers and cook until they are crisp-tender, about 5-6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the coconut milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for the Best Rasta Pasta
- Use Full-Fat Coconut Milk: For the creamiest, most luxurious sauce, don’t substitute with light coconut milk. The fat content is crucial for the texture.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta until it’s just al dente. It will continue to cook slightly when you toss it with the hot sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is a secret weapon. It helps emulsify the sauce, making it extra creamy and helping it cling to the noodles.
- Adjust the Spice: Jerk seasonings vary in heat. Taste your sauce and add more seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like it spicier.
Delicious Rasta Pasta Variations
This recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are a few popular variations to try:
Rasta Pasta with Shrimp
For a seafood twist, substitute the chicken with one pound of large, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Season the shrimp with jerk seasoning and cook for just 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Add them back into the sauce at the very end to avoid overcooking. This dish shares some flavor profiles with these amazing Creole steak and shrimp quesadillas.
Vegetarian Rasta Pasta
To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For extra protein, consider adding a can of rinsed chickpeas.
What to Serve with Rasta Pasta
This Creamy Rasta Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to add a side, here are a few great options:
- Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a simple vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast.
- Fried Plantains: For a truly Caribbean experience, serve with a side of sweet, caramelized fried plantains.
Looking for other easy weeknight meals? This One-Pot Beefaroni is always a family favorite.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftover Rasta Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prepare the components ahead of time, such as cooking the chicken and chopping the vegetables. However, it’s best to assemble the pasta and sauce just before serving, as the sauce can thicken and the pasta can absorb too much liquid upon sitting.
To control the heat, use a mild jerk seasoning or simply use less of it. You can also add a little more coconut milk or a touch of sugar to balance the spice. Always taste your sauce before combining it with the pasta to adjust the heat level to your preference.
While it’s heavily inspired by Jamaican flavors like jerk seasoning and the Rastafarian colors, Rasta Pasta is more of a fusion dish that became popular in Jamaican restaurants in the United States and the Caribbean. It’s a modern culinary creation rather than a deeply traditional meal.
Rasta Pasta has a unique and delicious flavor profile. It’s a balance of spicy and smoky from the jerk seasoning, rich and creamy from the coconut milk and cheese, and slightly sweet from the sautéed bell peppers. It’s a savory, comforting, and boldly flavored dish.
The sauce for Rasta Pasta is typically made from a creamy base of coconut milk, flavored with chicken or vegetable broth, garlic, onions, and jerk seasoning. Parmesan cheese is often added to create a richer, saltier flavor and a thicker consistency.
The Ultimate Creamy Rasta Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Rasta Pasta is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of vibrant colors and bold flavors. It’s a dish that’s sure to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation. We know you’ll love it! If you make this recipe, don’t forget to share your creation and tag us on Pinterest!
Get the Recipe
Creamy Rasta Pasta (The Ultimate Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with jerk seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers and cook for 5-6 minutes, until crisp-tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss well to combine, ensuring everything is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Stir in the fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Make it Vegan: To make this vegan, omit the chicken and Parmesan. Use vegetable broth and add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Bulk it up with mushrooms or chickpeas.
