Jerk shrimp pasta, also called Shrimp Rasta Pasta, is a rich, creamy pasta dish with bold Caribbean flavors. It combines dried pasta and shrimp with jerk seasoning, garlic, peppers, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, cream cheese and Parmesan for a decadent, comforting meal. If you enjoy this recipe, try our Jamaican Rasta Pasta (with chicken) or Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo next.
Table of Contents
Jerk Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
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- Shrimp (about 1/2 lb)
- Jerk seasoning (2–3 tsp)
- Scallion
- Fresh garlic (1 clove)
- Red bell pepper (1/2)
- Green bell pepper (1/2)
- Yellow bell pepper (1/2)
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tsp)
- Fresh thyme (1 tsp)
- Cream cheese (1/4 cup)
- Parmesan (2 tbsp)
- Dried pasta (about 1/3 lb)
How to Make Jerk Shrimp Pasta
- Step 1 – Toss the shrimp with 2 teaspoons of jerk seasoning and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
- Step 2 – Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced scallions and a pinch of salt; cook about 2 minutes until softened.
- Step 3 – Stir in minced garlic and 1 teaspoon jerk seasoning; cook for another minute, then reduce heat.
- Step 4 – Add the sliced red, green and yellow bell peppers and sauté about 10 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 5 – Add the seasoned shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes, until they turn pink and just cooked through.
- Step 6 – Stir in Worcestershire sauce and thyme and cook for 1–2 minutes to combine.
- Step 7 – In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and grated Parmesan until smooth.
- Step 8 – Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a ladle of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Step 9 – Add a ladle of the hot pasta water to the cream cheese and Parmesan mixture and stir to loosen into a sauce.
- Step 10 – Increase the skillet heat to high, add the drained pasta and the cream cheese mixture to the pan with the shrimp and peppers.
- Step 11 – Toss everything together over high heat for about a minute until the sauce coats the pasta and is glossy. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately.
How to Serve Jamaican Shrimp Rasta Pasta
This pasta is best served hot in shallow bowls so the creamy sauce pools around the noodles and shrimp. Garnish with extra chopped scallion, a sprinkle of Parmesan or a few fresh thyme leaves for color and aroma. Individual serving bowls make the dish feel cozy and restaurant-quality at home.
What to Serve on the Side
- Simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Steamed or roasted vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus or cauliflower
Jerk Shrimp Pasta
Creamy and flavorful, Jerk Shrimp Pasta blends Caribbean jerk spices with a rich cheese sauce and colorful bell peppers. It’s an easy weeknight recipe that delivers plenty of taste and a satisfying texture from the pasta and shrimp.
More Pasta Recipes
- Jamaican Rasta Pasta (chicken)
- Älplermagronen (Swiss Alpine Macaroni)
- Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
- Garlic and Oil Spaghetti (Aglio e Olio)
- Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
- Spaghetti alle Vongole
- Porcini Mushroom Pasta
- Salmon Zucchini Lasagna
- Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta
- Šalša (Croatian Tomato Sauce)
Shrimp Pasta Recipes We Like
- Creamy Shrimp Florentine Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
- Shrimp Scampi Linguine
- Easy Shrimp Scampi (without wine)
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Jerk Shrimp Pasta
- Author: A Hedgehog in the Kitchen
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: For 2
Description
Creamy, decadent and full of flavor, Jerk Shrimp Pasta combines penne or your favorite dried pasta with shrimp, cream cheese, jerk seasoning and a trio of colorful bell peppers for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb shrimp
- 3 tsp jerk seasoning
- 1 scallion, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- 1/3 lb dried pasta
Instructions
- Mix 2 teaspoons of jerk seasoning into the shrimp and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook the scallions with a pinch of salt for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic and 1 teaspoon jerk seasoning and cook for another minute. Reduce the heat.
- Add the bell peppers and cook about 10 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Add the shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes until pink.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce and thyme and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Combine the cream cheese and Parmesan in a bowl until smooth.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, reserving a ladle of pasta water.
- Stir a ladle of pasta water into the cream cheese mixture to loosen it.
- Raise the skillet heat to high, add the pasta and cream sauce to the pan, and toss for about a minute until well coated.
Notes
- Use a good-quality jerk seasoning for the best flavor; adjust the amount to your heat preference.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency—add more if the sauce seems too thick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes