Description
Jamaican spices elevate this shrimp pasta into a Caribbean culinary adventure, blending fiery scotch bonnet peppers with creamy alfredo sauce. Zesty flavors dance across tender shrimp and perfectly cooked pasta, inviting you to savor each bold, authentic bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine or linguine pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 1 can (14 ounces or 414 milliliters) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare a generous pot of salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract 1 cup of starchy water before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate heat. Introduce finely chopped onions, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant. Incorporate minced garlic and diced bell peppers, continuing to cook until vegetables soften.
- Elevate skillet temperature to medium-high. Introduce seasoned shrimp, generously coating with jerk seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear for 3-4 minutes, ensuring shrimp transform to a vibrant pink and cook completely through.
- Stream coconut milk and fresh lime juice into the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce. Allow mixture to gently simmer, melding flavors for 3-5 minutes. Modulate sauce consistency by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water if needed.
- Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet, meticulously coating each strand with the creamy, aromatic sauce. Taste and refine seasoning to personal preference.
- Present immediately, adorned with fresh cilantro sprigs and tangy lime wedges, offering a bright, zesty complement to the rich, creamy pasta.
Notes
- Jerk Seasoning Swap: Adjust the heat level by using mild or hot jerk seasoning, catering to different spice tolerances without compromising the authentic Jamaican flavor profile.
- Pasta Water Magic: The starchy reserved pasta water acts as a secret weapon to thin out and emulsify the sauce, creating a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to the noodles.
- Protein Flexibility: Easily transform this dish by substituting shrimp with chicken, tofu, or white fish to accommodate dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
- Dairy-Free Hack: For a lactose-free version, use full-fat coconut milk and ensure all other ingredients are dairy-free, maintaining the creamy richness of the original recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg