Jamaican Shrimp Pasta Recipe
A vibrant and creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta featuring succulent shrimp sautéed with aromatic vegetables, tossed in a rich coconut milk sauce infused with spicy jerk seasoning and zesty lime juice, served over tender fettuccine or linguine pasta and garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Shrimp and Vegetables
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and diced bell pepper, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Cook the Shrimp: Increase heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Jamaican jerk seasoning. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the coconut milk and lime juice, stirring to combine all ingredients. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors. If the sauce thickens too much, gradually add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Combine: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat everything evenly in the creamy jerk coconut sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro and lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- If fresh jerk seasoning is unavailable, you can substitute with a mix of allspice, cinnamon, thyme, paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder.
- For spicier heat, add chopped Scotch bonnet pepper or a dash of hot sauce when cooking the shrimp.
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Keywords: Jamaican shrimp pasta, jerk shrimp recipe, creamy coconut pasta, Caribbean pasta dish, spicy shrimp pasta