Description
This Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta combines succulent shrimp with a rich, coconut milk-based sauce infused with vibrant Jamaican jerk seasoning. Tossed with tender fettuccine or linguine and fresh bell peppers, this flavorful dish brings a tropical twist to classic creamy pasta in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnishes
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper, cooking for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Jamaican jerk seasoning. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the coconut milk and add the fresh lime juice. Stir to combine and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Combine: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or jerk seasoning as desired.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve alongside lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- You can substitute fettuccine or linguine with other long pasta like spaghetti or tagliatelle.
- Adjust the amount of Jamaican jerk seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- Reserving the pasta water is essential for adjusting sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of heavy cream or substitute coconut milk with full-fat cream (note this would alter the vegan suitability).
- This dish can be made gluten-free by choosing gluten-free pasta.
