Description
This Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta is a delicious Caribbean-inspired dish featuring tender shrimp seasoned with warm spices and tossed in a rich, creamy coconut sauce. Perfectly paired with fettuccine or linguine, this tropical pasta combines smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season and Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. In a bowl, toss shrimp with allspice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add shrimp to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced red bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. If you prefer some heat, add crushed red pepper flakes now.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the coconut milk and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
- Combine Shrimp and Pasta: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir in fresh lime juice. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and cilantro over the top. Serve immediately for a flavorful tropical pasta experience.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- For a lighter, dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with additional coconut milk.
- Use fresh lime juice for best flavor; avoid bottled lime juice if possible.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta of your choice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
