Description

This Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful fusion dish combining tender shrimp with a spicy Jamaican jerk seasoning and a rich coconut milk sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a vibrant, hearty meal that brings Caribbean flair to your dinner table, featuring fresh ingredients and a zesty lime finish.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
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
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Lime wedges, for serving

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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 depending on package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and diced bell pepper, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Jamaican jerk seasoning. Cook for 3 to 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 let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve your desired consistency.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy jerk coconut sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve: Serve the creamy Jamaican shrimp pasta garnished with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

Notes

Use fresh shrimp for the best flavor, but frozen thawed shrimp also works well.
Adjust the amount of jerk seasoning to control the spiciness.
If coconut milk isn’t available, full-fat cream or half-and-half can be substituted but will alter the flavor profile.
Reserve pasta water helps to loosen the sauce without losing flavor.
This dish pairs nicely with a crisp green salad for a complete meal.