This Jamaican Jerk Pasta With Shrimp pasta is perfect for all pasta lovers out there! Large shrimp are marinated in a spicy and flavorful homemade jerk seasoning, cooked to perfection and combined with pasta. This dish is actually a complete meal, and uses a mix of Caribbean inspired spices to elevate the flavors of a seemingly simple dish.
If you love this shrimp dish you'll also want to try Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti, Shrimp Bisque, Shrimp Ceviche, Spicy Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce or Shrimp Cakes With Hot Sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
- Spicy and Savory: Enjoy the bold, fiery flavors of Jamaican jerk seasoning.
- One-Pot Wonder: An all-in-one meal that cuts down on cleanup time.
- Seafood Delight: Perfect for shrimp lovers and a great way to spice up Shrimp Jerk Pasta.
🥘 Ingredients
- Onion and Garlic Powder: Provide a savory depth to the spice mix.
- Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper, Hot Pepper Flakes: Contribute heat and enhance other flavors.
- Ground Thyme, Dried Parsley: Add an earthy, herbaceous note.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
- Ground Allspice, Paprika: Offer a warm, slightly sweet spice flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove: Bring in a sweet, aromatic component.
- Ground Cumin: Adds a smoky, earthy element.
- Penne Pasta: A tube-shaped pasta that holds up well to hearty sauces and ingredients.
- Shrimp: The main protein, adds a sweet, delicate seafood flavor.
- Jerk Seasoning: Infuses the dish with the complex, spicy flavors of Jamaican cuisine.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Give your pasta a tropical twist with bell peppers, mushrooms, and pineapple tossed in creamy coconut milk and a kick of Jamaican jerk seasoning—bold, colorful, and totally satisfying.
- Skip the shrimp and turn this into a creamy Rasta Pasta dream! Bell peppers, mushrooms, and pineapple blend perfectly with coconut milk and jerk seasoning for an island-inspired bite.
🔪How To Make Jamaican Jerk Pasta?
- Add all of the spice ingredients in a small bowl or skillet and whisk to combine.
- Cook the penne pasta according to directions on the box. Drain the penne and reserve 1⁄2 cup of pasta water. Set to the side.
- Rinse shrimp and pat dry using a paper towel. In a large bowl add the shrimp and jerk spice. Toss to combine the shrimp and spice.
- Place a large non stick skillet, a non stick pan or Dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Add your extra virgin olive oil to the pan and cook the raw shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove shrimp from the skillet or Dutch oven and set aside.
- Add the pasta water to the pan and scrape to combine the brown bits.
- Add peppers, fresh pineapple chunks, and garlic to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Now, add the pasta water, heavy cream, and Jamaican jerk pasta seasoning to the pan for 3-5 minutes.
- Add penne pasta, and parmesan cheese and stir until combined.
- Remove your Jamaican Jerk Pasta from heat and add shrimp to the cooked pasta.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Marinate: Enhance shrimp flavor by marinating in jerk seasoning overnight for a richer taste in your Jamaican jerk pasta.
- Halved Shrimp Hack: Speed up cooking and intensify flavors by using halved lengthwise shrimp for quicker, more flavorful results in your dish.
💭 FAQs
Yes, absolutely! While the recipe calls for shrimp, you can swap it for chicken if you prefer. Simply cook the chicken until it's fully done, and follow the same steps for adding the jerk seasoning and pasta.
The level of spiciness can vary depending on the jerk seasoning you use. If you want a milder version, you can use less seasoning or opt for a mild jerk sauce. On the other hand, if you like it hot, you can crank up the spice by adding extra seasoning or some chopped scotch bonnet peppers.
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Cook the pasta and shrimp separately, and store them in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just reheat everything and toss together with the sauce for a quick meal.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad. You could also serve it with some warm garlic bread or a slice of cornbread to complement the bold flavors of the jerk seasoning.
Once cooled, transfer the Jamaican jerk pasta with shrimp into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best sides to serve with Jamaican Jerk Pasta:
Fried Plantains: Sweet and caramelized plantains add a delightful contrast to the spicy kick of the Jamaican jerk pasta seasoning.
Jamaican Callaloo: A side of sautéed callaloo, a leafy green vegetable, brings a touch of earthiness to your Jamaican jerk pasta.
Mango Salsa: Fresh mango salsa with lime and cilantro provides a burst of fruity freshness to balance the heat.
Rotisserie Chicken: Enhance your Jamaican jerk pasta experience with succulent shredded rotisserie chicken for a flavorful twist.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Jamaican Jerk Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoon Ground Thyme
- 2 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Allspice
- 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Hot Pepper Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 8 oz Penne Pasta
- 1 lb. Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoon Jerk Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Red Bell Pepper thinly sliced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper thinly sliced
- 1 Onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup Pineapple small chunks
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- ¾ cup Pasta Water
- ¾ cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1 cup Frozen Shrimp
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- Cook the penne pasta according to directions on the box. Drain the penne and reserve 1⁄2 cup of pasta water. Set to the side.
- Rinse shrimp and pat dry using a paper towel. In a large bowl add the shrimp and jerk spice. Toss to combine the shrimp and spice.
- Place a large non stick skillet, a non stick pan or Dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Add your extra virgin olive oil to the pan and cook the raw shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove shrimp from the skillet or Dutch oven and set aside.
- Add the pasta water to the pan and scrape to combine the brown bits.
- Add peppers, fresh pineapple chunks, and garlic to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Now, add the pasta water, heavy cream, and Jamaican jerk pasta seasoning to the pan for 3-5 minutes.
- Add penne pasta, and parmesan cheese and stir until combined.
- Remove your Jamaican Jerk Pasta from heat and add shrimp to the cooked pasta.
