Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean with this Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta. Juicy shrimp seasoned with authentic Jamaican jerk spices are cooked in a luscious coconut milk-based sauce, tossed with tender fettuccine or linguine pasta, and finished with fresh lime juice and cilantro for a zesty, tropical twist. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick yet exotic weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 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
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and the Jamaican jerk seasoning. Cook the shrimp for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the canned coconut milk and add the fresh lime juice. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes to combine flavors. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or jerk seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta to plates or a serving dish. Garnish generously with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.
Notes
- Use fettuccine or linguine for the best texture and sauce coating.
- Adjust the amount of Jamaican jerk seasoning to suit your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water is key to thinning the sauce without losing flavor or creaminess.
- For a richer sauce, use whole fat coconut milk.
- Fresh lime juice added at the end brightens the flavors and balances the creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Caribbean
