I have looked around for a good pasta recipe that my kid would love to eat, and could never find the right one until I came across this Jamaican rasta pasta recipe.
It took me a while to perfect the recipe, but now, I can whip up this jerk seasoning pasta under 30 minutes, whenever my kids aren’t interested in eating their vegetables.
This rasta pasta is creamy and colorful because of the bell peppers, and has bold flavors. It originates from Jamaica and the Caribbean because of the jerk seasoning used to make this deliciousness.
Today, I will be sharing this pasta recipe with you while talking about everything, like why you would love it, recipe variations, add-ons, storage methods, and more. So, let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Rasta Pasta
- Creamy and cheesy sauce with an extra kick of spice.
- Quick prep time.
- Ready within 30 minutes.
- Simple pantry ingredients.
- Colorful because of the different types of bell peppers.
What Is Rasta Pasta?
This easy rasta pasta is a creamy Caribbean-style pasta that originates from Jamaica. This Jamaican rasta pasta’s signature feature is the colorfulness that comes from using different-colored bell peppers, which represent the vibrant hues associated with Rastafarian culture.
This creamy rasta pasta is not at all an Italian pasta, and it’s basically an inspired cuisine. It’s a fan favorite because of the creamy sauce, jerk seasoning, and vegetables like bell peppers, which give it a slightly spicy and flavorful taste.
Ingredients for Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe
- Chicken: The main source of protein for this pasta comes from the chicken. And I will advise you to use chicken breast for this recipe.
- Pasta: You can select any fun shapes for your pasta. Just make sure it’s cooked well.
- Jerk seasoning: This will add the heat and Jamaican spicy kick to the recipe. You need to adjust the heat according to your taste.
- Bell Pepper: Using different colored bell peppers, like red, green, and yellow can not only add color to your bell pepper pasta, but it will also add some sweetness.
- Salt: You can’t make a dish without the right amount of salt.
- Olive Oil: This is what you can use to cook the spicy rasta pasta.
- Onion: This will add a little more sweetness.
- Garlic: Using chopped garlic cloves will bring out the flavors.
- Chicken Stock: This will make the pasta another protein source.
- Heavy Cream: To make the creamy pasta sauce, you will need heavy cream. But if you want a different option, you can make a coconut milk pasta instead of using heavy cream.
- Parmesan Cheese: This will make the pasta creamier and cheesier.
- Parsley: You can garnish with parsley.
Protein Options for Rasta Pasta
- I usually make jerk chicken rasta pasta. So, you can use chicken as the main source of protein in your pasta.
- Another protein option is shrimp. And, trust me, shrimp rasta pasta is delicious. But you need to cook the shrimp for less time compared to chicken.
- If you don’t want protein, you can go for vegetarian or vegan options by adding different veggies.
- Make sure you season your protein properly with salt or jerk seasoning.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- If you want to store the leftover rasta pasta, you need to put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.
- The best way to reheat the pasta without breaking the sauce is by adding a splash of olive oil before putting it in the oven or microwave.
- Rasta pasta can stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- This weeknight dinner recipe is greatly suitable for meal prep.
Sauce Variations & Heat Level Control
- Depending on what you like, you can make mild or spicy versions of this pasta by adjusting the jerk seasoning.
- Add less jerk seasoning to tone down the heat. If the pasta comes out too spicy, add more heavy cream to balance the heat.
- If you want the pasta sauce to be lighter, you can use coconut milk. But for a thicker and creamier pasta, use heavy cream.
- For an Alfredo-style pasta, you can add more heavy cream. But for a lighter sauce, use less heavy cream or coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
What to Serve with Rasta Pasta
- You can serve this delicious pasta with some simple side salads if you don’t want to eat it as is.
- If you want something else with your pasta, you can have it with garlic bread or flatbread.
- You can serve this pasta with some roasted veggies on the side.
- If you want something to drink with the pasta, having some tropical juice helps immensely.
Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe – Ready in 30 Minutes
Ingredients
For Jerk Chicken:
- 2 medium-sized Chicken breasts (strips)
- 1 & ½ tbsp Jerk Seasoning
For Pasta:
- 450 grams Penne
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 small Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 3 bell peppers (medium size (green, red, yellow))
- 1.5 tbsp jerk seasoning
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 cup Chicken Stock (low sodium)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- Grated Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Boil water in a pot and add 1 tbsp of salt.
- Boil the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Drain the pasta when it’s done and set it aside.
Prepare the Protein
- In a large mixing bowl, marinate your chicken breast pieces with jerk seasoning and set them aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over the stovetop on medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Add the onion to the same pan and sauté it for about a minute until it’s softened.
- Now, add your red, yellow, and green bell peppers and garlic to the pan and sauté for 3 to 4 more minutes until their fragrance is coming out and they are slightly tender.
Add Seasoning, Stock, and Heavy Cream
- Now add 1 and 1/2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Then saute for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken stock and heavy cream to the mix and stir to combine, and cook until it starts to thicken.
Add Chicken and Parmesan
- You can add the chicken to the pan at this stage.
- Then, add the Parmesan cheese and stir for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts.
Combine and Finish
- Add the cooked pasta you set aside before and toss it around until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
- Serve the pasta hot.
Notes
- If your pasta sauce is too thick, you can add stock or coconut milk to lighten it. But if it’s too thin, you need more heavy cream.
- If the pasta is soaking up too much sauce, you need to add more stock or heavy cream.
- You can fix a too-spicy pasta by adding more heavy cream or sugar.
- If the pasta is bland, you need more jerk seasoning.
Recipe FAQs
What does rasta pasta taste like?
Rasta pasta tastes delicious, flavorful, creamy, and a little spicy.
Can I make rasta pasta without jerk seasoning?
Yes, you can make rasta pasta without jerk seasoning. You can use spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili for flavor instead.
Can I make rasta pasta vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, you can skip the protein and use coconut milk and vegan cheese instead of heavy cream and parmesan.
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