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Mix common ingredients to make an exciting Jamaican shrimp pasta with a lush coconut sauce and well-seasoned shrimp. This quick 30-minute meal brings Caribbean tastes through juicy shrimp, flavorful jerk spices, and smooth coconut sauce. Every bite offers taste layers from juicy seafood to tropical creamy goodness.
While checking out Caribbean cooking, I found this mix hits the sweet spot between cozy comfort food and tropical island flavors.
Key Components
- Large shrimp: Go with fresh or defrosted for the nicest texture
- Coconut milk: Use the rich kind for the smoothest sauce
- Jerk seasoning: Brings real Caribbean kick
- Fresh lime: Gives a zesty tang
- Quality pasta: Grabs onto the creamy sauce nicely
Complete Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Cooking Instructions
- Get Started:
- Fill a big pot with salty water and bring it to a boil. Cook your pasta until it's firm but not hard (8-10 minutes), and save 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Cook Flavor Base:
- Warm oil in a big pan over medium heat. Soften onion for 3-4 minutes. Toss in garlic and bell pepper, cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Cook The Shrimp:
- Turn up heat to medium-high. Throw in shrimp with jerk spices, salt, and pepper. Cook them for 3-4 minutes until they turn pink.
- Make Your Sauce:
- Add coconut milk and lime juice. Let it bubble gently for 3-5 minutes until it thickens a bit.
- Mix Everything:
- Put pasta into the pan and mix carefully. Add some pasta water if it needs to be thinner.
- Finish Cooking:
- Keep cooking until sauce covers pasta evenly, and fix up the seasoning if needed.
- Finishing Touches:
- Sprinkle with cilantro and put lime wedges on the side.
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My friend who taught me Caribbean cooking always told me the trick to amazing shrimp pasta is finding that sweet spot where spicy and creamy work together perfectly.
Serving Ideas
Make this dish part of a full Caribbean feast with tasty sides and toppings. Try a tropical salad with chunks of mango and avocado. Grab some garlic bread or a fresh baguette to soak up all that yummy sauce. When you've got company, use wide shallow bowls and top with extra cilantro and colorful bell peppers. It tastes great with a glass of light Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasty Twists
Switch up this flexible dish by playing with different proteins and add-ins. Swap shrimp for chicken or white fish, or make it meat-free with chickpeas instead. Try adding a bit of cream cheese for extra richness, or mix in whatever veggies are in season. Make it hotter with scotch bonnet peppers or milder by cutting back on the jerk spice. Can't eat gluten? Just serve it over rice or quinoa.
Leftovers Guide
Keep everything tasting good by storing pasta and sauce in different containers when you can. Use airtight containers and eat within three days, keeping sauce apart from pasta. When warming up, add a splash of coconut milk to make it creamy again. For the best taste, cook fresh pasta when using leftover sauce. I don't recommend freezing the whole dish, but you can freeze just the sauce on its own.
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Final Thoughts
This Jamaican shrimp pasta has become what I cook when I want a fast but impressive dinner. Though it's easy to make, paying attention to cooking times and seasoning makes amazing results that feel like a Caribbean getaway. Just remember, prepping ingredients properly and building your sauce carefully means you'll get perfect pasta every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I turn up the heat?
- Add extra jerk spice or some scotch bonnet peppers for more of that fiery kick.
- → What can replace coconut milk?
- Heavy cream is an option, but it won't have the same Caribbean vibe. Light coconut milk is an alternative too.
- → Any other pasta suggestions?
- Spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine work wonderfully in this dish!
- → How do I make this dish creamier?
- Mixing in some cream cheese or mascarpone will make the sauce extra smooth and rich.
- → Can I throw in more veggies?
- Sure! Spinach, cherry tomatoes, or colorful veggies would complement this well.