Easy Rasta Pasta Recipe (Creamy & Spicy Jamaican Style)

What is Rasta Pasta?

Rasta Pasta is a Jamaican-inspired pasta dish that is creamy and spicy. It has colorful bell peppers, jerk seasoning, and a rich cheesy or coconut sauce. The name comes from the bright red, yellow, and green peppers that look like the colors of Rastafarians. It usually has penne pasta and jerk chicken or shrimp in it, which makes for a strong mix of Caribbean heat and classic comfort. Pasta with a lot of personality: tasty, comforting, and a little spicy.

😂 The First Time I Tried Rasta Pasta (A Funny Story!)

So, imagine this: There is a lot of music playing, aunties dancing, and a chef yelling, “Who ordered the Rasta Pasta?” at a small food stand on the beach.
That bowl of pasta looked like it was alive, I swear. The bright peppers, creamy sauce, and hot chicken were almost flirting with me.

I forgot my name for three seconds after I took a bite.
Very hot. Easy. With a taste of smoke.
It was like Italy went on vacation to Jamaica and came back with a tan and a bad mood.

I’ve been trying to make the perfect Rasta Pasta recipe since that day, and today I finally did it!

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need for the Rasta Pasta Recipe

Here’s everything you need for this magical dish:

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Chicken (optional):

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 tbsp jerk seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Creamy Rasta Pasta Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion (sliced)
• 3 colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp jerk seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Spring onions (for garnish)

Also Read: Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe: My 5-Star Baked Pasta Everyone Loves

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Rasta Pasta

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Follow the directions on the package to boil your penne. Drain, drizzle with olive oil, and set aside so it doesn’t get sticky like your bad ex.

Step 2: Add spices to the chicken and cook it.
Put oil in a pan. Put in your sliced chicken and jerk seasoning.
Cook until golden brown and a little charred. That smoky flavor is what makes it great.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Melt the butter in the same pan.
Put in sliced onions, bell peppers, and garlic.
Sauté until soft and fragrant. Your kitchen should now smell like a Caribbean paradise.

Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Rasta Pasta Sauce
Add coconut milk and heavy cream.
Add jerk seasoning, paprika, pepper, and salt to the top.
Let it cook down until it thickens a little.

When the sauce starts to move around in the pan…
Stir in the parmesan cheese until it is smooth.

Step 5: Put Everything Together
Put the chicken and pasta in the sauce.
Stir until every piece is covered in flavor glue.

Step 6: Add the finishing touches. Add spring onions, more parmesan, and a dash of jerk seasoning on top.

💡 How to Make the Best Rasta Pasta

Use Jamaican jerk seasoning. Believe me, it’s the best part of this dish.

Coconut milk gives it a real taste and makes it creamy and dreamy.

Peppers add color and sweetness, so don’t be shy with them.

Don’t rush the sauce; let it thicken on its own.

At the end, add lime juice for a burst of flavor.

Different Ways to Make Rasta Pasta

Want to change things up? Give these a try:

Pasta with Shrimp Rasta
Use shrimp instead of chicken. It cooks in 3 to 5 minutes!

Add mushrooms, corn, zucchini, or spinach to Veggie Rasta Pasta.

Rasta Pasta with Extra Spice
Add scotch bonnet pepper, but only if you’re not afraid.

🍽️ What to Serve With Rasta Pasta Recipe

• Garlic bread
• Crispy fried plantains
• Lemon salad
• Grilled jerk chicken on the side

🎉 Last Thoughts
This Rasta Pasta recipe is everything: it’s creamy, colorful, spicy, comforting, and so easy to make. It’s the kind of pasta that makes any normal day feel like a mini vacation in the Caribbean.

Make it one time… Believe me, you’ll make it again and again.