Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (2024)

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By: DianaPosted: 6/7/19Updated: 10/5/23

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Rasta pasta is creamy pasta tossed with Caribbean style jerk chicken and sauteedbell peppers. This dish is so full of flavor, and makes a great weeknight dinner that can be made in just half an hour! It’s creamy, rich, spicy, and cheesy.

Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (1)

What is Rasta Pasta?

I used to think that Rasta pasta came from the Rastafari culture in Jamaica but my readers told me that it’s not the case. This dish is Jamaican inspired with the 3 colored bell peppers and the jerk seasoning, it’s a very comforting pasta dish that has all the cream and cheese that you need to feel good. It also has a strong flavor, and a lovely spicy kick that will make you want to have this pasta all the time!

The bell peppers are either sauteed or roasted, and they’re just tossed along with the cooked pasta and grilled chicken in a creamy and cheesy sauce. This rasta pasta recipe makes the perfect summertime dinner dish that you will love!

Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (2)

Recipe Video

While this recipe is easy to make, it always helps to watch a quick video.Give it a watch below!

How to Make Pasta Rasta

Making this dish is really quick and easy to make, so if you’re looking for an easy comforting dinner that you can quickly whip up then this recipe is for you!

The Ingredients

  • Chicken – either cooked or raw. Whatever you have on hand works. I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken.
  • Bell peppers – I like to use red, yellow, and green bell peppers but it depends on what I have available.
  • Pasta – use any type of small pasta. I like to use penne, fusilli, or bow-tie pasta.
  • Green onions – or scallions. Optional but they give a lovely flavor to the dish.
  • Jerk seasoning – homemade or store-bought, just make sure that it’s a really good one. Low-quality jerk seasoning will result in bland tasting sauce and pasta.
  • Heavy cream and parmesan cheese – These 2 ingredients will make your pasta sauce super creamy and delicious!
  • Garlic, oil and vegetable stock.
Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (3)

I also posted an Instant Pot Rasta Pasta version, so make sure to check it out!

The Directions

  • Cook pasta in salted water according to the package instructions, take it out at “al dente” as you will cook it more in the next steps. Tip: I’m using rotisserie chicken in this recipe, but if you would like to use a raw chicken breast then cube it, toss in jerk seasoning and cook until it’s golden and cooked through. Then remove from the pot, and set aside to use later.
  • Prep the veggies: Slice the bell peppers (you can use different colors of peppers), green onions, and garlic.
  • Add vegetable oil to a heavy-bottomed pot, and saute bell peppers with green onions. Add the minced garlic and cook until it’s fragrant.
  • Add jerk seasoning to the pot.
  • Add the heavy cream, and chicken or vegetable stock to the pot. Simmer for a few minutes or until the sauce thickens.
  • Add parmesan cheese to the pot, and stir until it melts in the sauce. Then finally add the chicken pieces and pasta and give everything a good mix so the ingredients are well coated in the sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped chives or parsley and serve.
Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (4)

Also, feel free to either use shrimp instead of chicken or add both chicken and shrimp to this Rasta Pasta recipe.

Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (5)

What Kind of Chicken Shall I Use?

I usually use air fryer rotisserie chicken leftovers in Rasta Pasta and other recipes. It’s very convenient and the chicken tastes amazing. If I don’t have any rotisserie chicken, then I just use a raw chicken breast that I cut into strips and shallow fry with jerk seasoning and a little bit of oil.

Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (6)

Make It Dairy-Free

To make this rasta pasta recipe dairy-free, can omit the heavy cream, and use full-fat coconut milk or crushed tomatoes instead.

Recipe Variations

There are many different variations of rasta pasta out there, and here are a few:

  • With chicken
  • Without chicken
  • A vegan version
  • Chicken on the side (not tossed with the pasta)
  • With grilled or fried shrimp

What Kind of Pasta Shall I Use?

I recommend using penne, rigatoni, or bucatini in this rasta pasta recipe, but you could also use pasta shapes like fusilli or macaroni.

Also, make sure to check out this amazing cornmeal porridge, and the all-purpose green seasoning that you can use to marinate all kinds of meat and fish.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (7)

4.95 from 219 votes(Click stars to rate!)

Rasta Pasta Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Author: Diana

Print Rate Recipe

Rasta pasta is creamy pasta tossed with Caribbean style jerk chicken and sauteedbell peppers. This dish is so full of flavor, and makes a great weeknight dinner that can be made in just half an hour! It's creamy, rich, spicy, and cheesy.

4 servings

Rasta pasta is creamy pasta tossed with Caribbean style jerk chicken and sauteedbell peppers. This dish is so full of flavor, and makes a great weeknight dinner that can be made in just half an hour! It's creamy, rich, spicy, and cheesy.

Recipe Video

Equipment

  • Large pot

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces (450 g) dried pasta
  • 2 large chicken breasts or 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tbsp for frying chicken and 1 tbsp for sauteeing bell peppers
  • 3 tablespoons jerk seasoning 1.5 tbsp with the chicken, and 1.5 tbsp goes in the sauce
  • 3 bell peppers in different colors – sliced
  • ½ cup green onions sliced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable stock or chicken stock
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half and half
  • ½ cup (80 g) parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to the package instructions, take it out at “al dente” as you will cook it more in the next steps.

  • I'm using rotisserie chicken in this recipe, but if you are using raw chicken breast then cube it, toss in jerk seasoning and cook until it's golden and cooked through. Then remove from the pot, and set aside to add later.

  • Add vegetable oil to a heavy bottomed pot, and saute bell peppers with green onions. Add the minced garlic and cook until it’s fragrant.

  • Add jerk seasoning to the pot.

  • Add heavy cream, cooked chicken and vegetable stock to the pot. Simmer for a few minutes or until the sauce thickens, mix in the parmesan in the sauce and then mix in the pasta.

  • Garnish with chopped chives, green onions or parsley and serve.

Notes:

  • I recommend using penne for this recipe, but you can also use rigatoni, bucatini, fusilli, macaroni or farfalle (bow tie).
  • This pasta is spicy with the amount of jerk seasoning added, so if you don’t like much spice then consider adding just half of the amount.
  • Use leftover shredded or rotisserie chicken for this dish, if you don’t have any, then use raw chicken and just saute it with jerk seasoning and vegetable oil before you start cooking the bell peppers.
  • Yo make this rasta pasta dairy-free, you can omit the heavy cream and use full-fat coconut milk or crushed tomatoes instead.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 742kcal, Carbohydrates: 92g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 113mg, Sodium: 214mg, Potassium: 914mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 3422IU, Vitamin C: 118mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review!

  1. Darin Campbell says

    Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (14)
    Terrific

    Reply

  2. Beverley says

    Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (15)
    Very tasty! I was slightly confused when adjusting to serve 2 with the amount of jerk seasoning to the sauce? Apart from that I did cook for 4 at one time.

    Reply

  3. Brooke says

    Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (16)
    Made this a couple months ago! Had a hard time finding jerk seasoning that was cheap (and local) I used the Jerk Wing seasoning from Walmart and it was AMAZING! Totally recommend!

    Reply

    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      That’s awesome that Walmart had something affordable! Glad you loved the pasta 🙂

      Reply

Older Comments1202122

Rasta Pasta Recipe - Creamy Pasta w/ Caribbean Jerk Chicken (2024)

FAQs

What is Rasta pasta sauce made of? ›

Basically, rasta pasta in the Jamaican culture is made from jerk seasoning, bell peppers, cream, and pasta. The colors from the dish originally reflected the colors of the Rastafarian culture: red, green, and yellow, which prompted someone to call it "rasta pasta".

How do you use Caribbean jerk? ›

5 Interesting Ways to Use Jerk Seasoning
  1. Mix in with your scrambled eggs. You can bring a little creativity and lots of flavor to your scrambled eggs by adding a little jerk. ...
  2. Mix with Guacamole (avocado) for an awesome dip. ...
  3. Mix with Mayonnaise for an awesome sandwich spread. ...
  4. Jerk French Fries. ...
  5. Mix with Tuna.

When was Rasta pasta made? ›

Another name for jerk pasta is Rasta pasta—it was first created in Negril, Jamaica in 1985 by Chef Lorraine Washington in her Paradise Yard restaurant kitchen. Chef Lorraine recalls making fettuccine for a crew of construction workers and topping it with red sauce and then a bit of ackee, Jamaica's national fruit.

What is jerk seasoning made of? ›

Ingredients In Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Spices – Cumin, nutmeg, allspice, smoked paprika, cinnamon. Heat – Red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. Sugar – Just some brown sugar for a well rounded depth of flavor. Seasoning – Salt and pepper.

What is creamy pasta sauce called? ›

While bechamel sauce is made with milk and flour, alfredo sauce is mainly made with heavy cream and cheese. Both have a creamy texture that thoroughly coats pasta noodles, but bechamel tends to be thicker than alfredo sauce.

What are the three types of pasta sauce? ›

Most types of Italian pasta sauce fall into one of several distinct categories. There are tomato-based sauces, such as the classic spaghetti sauce or marinara; there are heavier, cream-based sauces; there are wine-based sauces; and there are oil-based sauces like pesto or aglio e olio.

What is Caribbean jerk sauce made of? ›

Blend green onions, peanut oil, vinegar, allspice, habanero chile peppers, ginger, garlic, lime juice, brown sugar, thyme, soy sauce, ketchup, peppercorns, and cinnamon in a blender until smooth.

Are Jamaican Jerk and Caribbean jerk the same? ›

Jamaican jerk sauce primarily developed from these Maroons, seasoning wild hogs with native allspice and slow cooking them over indigenous pimento wood, and adding the also native Scotch bonnet pepper, which is largely responsible for the heat found in Caribbean jerks.

What goes with Caribbean jerk chicken? ›

9 Sides for Jerk Chicken
  • 01 of 09. Jamaican Rice and Peas. Abby Hocking. ...
  • 02 of 09. Jamaican Callaloo. ...
  • 03 of 09. Jamaican Hot Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 09. Snapper Escovitch. ...
  • 05 of 09. Jamaican Chicken and Potato Curry. ...
  • 06 of 09. Kwame's Pepper Shrimp. ...
  • 07 of 09. Jamaican Jerk Pork Patties. ...
  • 08 of 09. Jamaican Coco Bread.
Mar 22, 2023

What nationality is Rasta Pasta? ›

And Jamaica has its rasta pasta, a dish that, according to one origin story, stretches back to 1985 when Lorraine Washington, a chef from Negril, topped fettuccine with tomato sauce and ackee, a creamy island fruit.

Who owns Rasta Pasta? ›

Footprints Cafe Inc. is the official home of the Rasta Pasta and proud owners of the Rasta Pasta trademark and brand.

Where did the name Rasta Pasta come from? ›

They called it Rasta Pasta because the colors of the dish reminded the yellow-red-green colors of the Jamaican flag, and the fettuccini on the plate looked like dreadlocks which are one of the Rastafarian haircut traditions. So, the meal started its way with the name Rasta Pasta.

What is the main ingredient in jerk? ›

There are three main ingredients in jerk spices: scotch bonnet, allspice, and thyme. Whether it's meat, poultry or vegetables, jerk sauce can be added to give any dish its distinctive flavor.

Why is jerk chicken called jerk? ›

The word jerk reportedly stems from the Spanish charqui, meaning dried strips of meat similar to the modern-day jerky. In Jamaica, jerk chicken is famous for its pungent marinade, marked by allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers, which are similar to habanero chili peppers.

What sauce represents jamaica? ›

Pickapeppa Sauce Is the Jamaican Condiment That Makes Everything Better. It's known as the Jamaican A1, and I was raised on it.

What does Jamaican sauce taste like? ›

With a combination of scotch bonnet peppers, pimento (all spice), nutmeg, soy sauce and thyme amongst other seasonings, jerk sauce is JAMAICA in a bottle. You get hints of sweet, salty, lots of spicy and a kick of flavour that can only be described as “island-y”.

What is the difference between Alfredo and carbonara sauce? ›

Alfredo is basic – pasta, cream, parmesan, parsley. Carbonara is a little more complicated – pasta, onion, pancetta, garlic, egg yolks, cream, parmesan, parsley. Because this is a gluten-free version we have to use spaghetti – if you're not gluten-free use anything from penne to linguini.

What does pasta sauce contain? ›

Family Favorites Traditional Pasta Sauce

Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Sugar, Salt, Basil, Dehydrated Onion, Spices, Dehydrated Garlic, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride, Contains 2% or less of Olive Oil.

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