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Creamy Rasta Pasta

Featured in: Comfort in Every Bowl

Rasta Pasta is a vibrant Caribbean-Italian fusion dish featuring creamy pasta tossed with spicy jerk chicken and sautéed bell peppers. The colorful peppers give the dish its name, representing Rastafarian colors. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe uses jerk seasoning, heavy cream, and parmesan to create a rich, flavorful sauce that coats every bite of pasta. You can use rotisserie chicken to save time or cook fresh chicken with the jerk spices. The dish delivers a perfect balance of creaminess, spice, and fresh vegetables, making it an ideal weeknight dinner when you want something quick but impressive.
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sana kitchen chef
Updated on Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:52:52 GMT
A plate of pasta with peppers and chicken. Pin it
A plate of pasta with peppers and chicken. | recipebyme.com

Rasta pasta combines the vibrant essence of Caribbean flavors with creamy Italian comfort food, resulting in a dish that's both exciting and satisfying. The colorful blend of bell peppers, jerk-seasoned chicken, and rich cheese sauce creates a meal that's as visually striking as it is delicious.

I first tried Rasta pasta at a friend's dinner party and immediately had to recreate it at home. My family now requests it regularly, especially my husband who appreciates the kick from the jerk seasoning balanced by the creamy sauce.

The Perfect Ingredients

  • Pasta: Choose shapes with ridges or curves like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli which trap the creamy sauce in every bite.
  • Chicken: Rotisserie chicken saves time, but freshly cooked chicken thighs offer more moisture and richness.
  • Bell Peppers: Select firm peppers in red, yellow, and green for sweetness, spice balance, and visual appeal.
  • Jerk Seasoning: Look for authentic blends with allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers for genuine Caribbean flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates the luxurious sauce base; room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan melts more evenly and adds complexity.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic provides aromatic depth that powder simply cannot match.
  • Green Onions: Mild onion flavor that enhances without overpowering.
  • Vegetable Stock: Adds depth to the sauce; homemade or quality store-bought works well.

Creating Your Rasta Pasta Magic

Pasta Preparation:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta just until al dente, typically 1 minute less than package instructions suggest. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Pepper Sauté:
In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced bell peppers and green onions, cooking until softened but still vibrant, about 4-5 minutes.
Aromatic Base:
Lower heat to medium, then add minced garlic and jerk seasoning to the peppers. Stir constantly to bloom the spices, cooking for about 30-45 seconds.
Sauce Development:
Pour in heavy cream and vegetable stock, stirring to incorporate. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Cheese Integration:
Remove from heat momentarily, then stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. The residual heat prevents the cheese from clumping.
Final Assembly:
Return the skillet to low heat, adding the cooked chicken and drained pasta. Toss gently to coat in sauce, about 1-2 minutes.
Finishing Touch:
Taste and adjust seasonings. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
A bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables. | recipebyme.com

My personal favorite ingredient in this recipe is the bell peppers. Their natural sweetness develops beautifully when sautéed, offering a perfect counterpoint to the spicy jerk seasoning. My children, who typically avoid vegetables, eagerly devour these colorful peppers in this dish.

Perfect Pairings

Rasta pasta shines when served with complementary dishes. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness. Garlic bread is great for soaking up the sauce. A chilled tropical fruit salad provides a sweet contrast. For entertaining, serve plantain chips and mango salsa for a Caribbean-inspired meal.

Customizing Your Creation

This dish welcomes many adaptations while maintaining its essential character. Substitute shrimp or white fish for seafood lovers. A vegetarian version with roasted butternut squash and black beans adds substance. Coconut milk can replace cream for a dairy-free twist. Adjust spice levels by adding scotch bonnet peppers or reducing the jerk seasoning.

Keeping It Fresh

Allow leftovers to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Refrigerated Rasta pasta stays fresh for up to three days. To reheat, add a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce and warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Freezing is possible but may alter texture.

A plate of pasta with meat and peppers. Pin it
A plate of pasta with meat and peppers. | recipebyme.com

The beauty of Rasta pasta lies in its balance—spicy yet creamy, sophisticated yet simple. This dish showcases the best of fusion cuisine, blending traditions into something greater than the sum of its parts. Whether for a busy weeknight or entertaining, this colorful, flavorful dish never fails to impress.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make Rasta Pasta less spicy?
Yes, simply reduce the jerk seasoning to half the amount called for in the recipe. You'll still get the flavor without as much heat.
→ What type of pasta works best for Rasta Pasta?
Penne pasta is recommended, but you can also use rigatoni, bucatini, fusilli, macaroni or farfalle (bow tie) with great results.
→ Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and omit the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
→ How can I save time making Rasta Pasta?
Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breast - this cuts down on cooking time and adds great flavor.
→ What sides go well with Rasta Pasta?
A simple green salad or garlic bread pairs perfectly with this dish. For a more authentic Caribbean meal, serve with fried plantains.

Creamy Rasta Pasta

This creamy Rasta Pasta combines Caribbean jerk chicken with colorful bell peppers for a quick 15-minute dinner that's bursting with flavor.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Sana

Category: Pasta Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Caribbean-Italian Fusion

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 16 ounces (450g) dried pasta - penne works best but rigatoni or fusilli are great too
02 2 large chicken breasts or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
03 3 colorful bell peppers, sliced into strips
04 ½ cup fresh green onions, sliced
05 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

06 3 tablespoons jerk seasoning (divided)
07 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
08 ¼ cup vegetable or chicken stock
09 ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
10 ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. It will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the sauce later, so don't overcook it.

Step 02

If using raw chicken breast, cut into cubes and toss with 1.5 tablespoons of jerk seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove from pot and set aside. (Skip this step if using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.)

Step 03

In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Sauté the bell peppers and green onions for about 3-4 minutes until slightly softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 04

Sprinkle the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of jerk seasoning into the pot with the vegetables. Pour in the heavy cream and vegetable stock, then add the cooked chicken back to the pot. Let everything simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 05

Stir the grated parmesan cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth. Add the cooked pasta to the pot and toss until everything is well coated in the creamy sauce. Garnish with additional chopped green onions or fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. This creamy pasta dish combines Caribbean jerk seasoning with colorful bell peppers for a flavorful weeknight dinner that's ready in just 15 minutes.
  2. The dish is naturally spicy from the jerk seasoning - reduce the amount by half if you prefer a milder flavor.
  3. Rasta pasta gets its name from the colorful bell peppers that represent the Rastafarian colors.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot for cooking pasta
  • Heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet for the sauce

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (heavy cream and parmesan cheese)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 742
  • Total Fat: 23 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 92 g
  • Protein: 40 g