Rasta Pasta is a Caribbean inspired pasta dish seasoned with jerk spices and tossed with colorful bell peppers. It's simple to put together and incredibly flavorful! I love making this Rasta pasta for a quick dinner during the weekdays. It's best served warm and really hits the spot when you want something comforting and tasty. What I enjoy most about this pasta is the sauce trickling through the penne; there's a burst of spicy sauce with every bite.
I've also made trays of this pasta for get togethers and it's always crowd-pleasing and a hit during holidays! Because who doesn't love a saucy pasta dish, right?
Why is it called rasta pasta?
Rasta pasta was first created in Negril, Jamaica in 1985 by Chef, Lorraine Washington in her Paradise Yard restaurant kitchen. She is a celebrated chef locally and internationally for her wide ranging culinary experience and expertise in promoting healthy eating. Chef Lorraine recalls making fettuccine and topping it with red sauce and then a bit of ackee, Jamaica’s national fruit. The red, green and yellow colors hinted at rasta colors, representing Rastafarian culture which prompted one of the carpenters to call it a “Rasta pasta!”
Nowadays Rasta pasta is such a popular pasta dish that you are bound to find it on varying Caribbean restaurant menus. It is commonly offered with chicken or shrimp for protein options and made with dairy milk and cheese. The choice of vegetables can also vary from peppers and cabbage to carrots and peas. When I make this at home it's all about what vegetables I have on hand.
How is rasta pasta made?
There are two parts to making this dish. First you boil the pasta and set it aside while you make the sauce. The sauce is made by sautéing onions, garlic, bell peppers, in jerk seasoning with a few other aromatics then adding coconut milk and letting it simmer until thickened. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. If you're adding protein, you can cook it along with the onions and garlic in the beginning or cook it separately and top the pasta off at the end. What I love is this dish can be as spicy as you choose.
What type of pasta should I use for rasta pasta?
I am using penne pasta for this recipe, but you can use what you like. I think any shape of pasta that has crevices like rotini or can hold a sauce like penne or ziti would be wonderful here.
I first had a variation of rasta pasta at Sugarcane, a stylish Caribbean restaurant in Brooklyn, NY. Whenever my husband and I would visit my mother-in-law in NYC, we'd always take a stroll down to Sugarcane for dinner and drinks. I loved their rasta pasta- it was the perfect balance of creamy and spicy and all around just satisfying.
Last summer, I was finally able to dine at Footprints, also in Brooklyn, NY and is the establishment that made rasta pasta popular within the local community. We went to the Flatbush location and I of course ordered the Rasta pasta with shrimp. I was not disappointed. The options to customize this dish was endless and truly delicious. I remember the shrimp was cooked perfectly, not rubbery and tough, just perfectly seasoned and tender. The pasta sauce itself was luscious and saucy; I needed a napkin to wipe my mouth with each bite.
Dairy-free Rasta pasta
In my version, I've used coconut milk to keep this dairy-free as dairy is no longer a regular part of my diet. When I did eat dairy, I used heavy cream for the milk and would add parmesan cheese to the sauce and it was just so creamy and satisfying! If you're not a fan of coconut milk, especially canned coconut milk, cashew or oat milk is a good option here.
Substituting with a good quality coconut milk really brings on the flavor. Homemade coconut milk is best, but not many of us have time to make it especially for a quick pasta dish. Using canned coconut milk works well and brand matters when it comes to canned coconut milk. Some are flavorless and others filled with additives and gives off a weird texture and mouthfeel when cooked. Make sure you use a full fat version. The light version of any coconut milk is thin and watery.
Here are images of the brands I prefer:
- Aroy-D
- Trader Joe's Organic coconut milk
- Chaokoh
- Thai Kitchen (not the light version)
Make it Gluten-free plus ideas for variations
You can easily make this gluten-free by using chickpea, rice, red lentil or any gluten-free pasta you love. I don't have a problem with gluten, but I love this recipe particularly with rice pasta. Here are some other ideas to use in for your rasta pasta dish:
- shredded cabbage - amazing in here!
- shredded carrots
- Green peas
- Corn
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Chickpea pasta
- Brown rice pasta
- Lentil pasta
Rasta Pasta: creamy pasta with jerk spices (vegan)
Ingredients
- 12oz penne pasta (don't use full 1lb box)
- 3 tablespoon cooking oil
- ½ medium onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 heaping tablespoon jerk seasoning
- 2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 4-5 fresh sprigs
- 2 13.5oz cans coconut milk
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (optional if you're not vegan)
Instructions
- Slice onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water up to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Strain and return to pot. Cover pasta so it does not form a crust.
- In a deep skillet, heat 3 tablespoon oil on medium high heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook a few minutes until fragrant. Add peppers, jerk seasoning, cajun seasoning, salt, paprika, and thyme.Saute a couple of minutes.
- Pour in coconut milk. Turn heat to low. Let simmer 7-8 minutes until sauce looks slightly thick.
- Add pasta to sauce. Stir to combine.
- If using parmesan cheese, add now.
- Remove from heat when cheese has melted throughout sauce.
Notes
For jerk seasoning, I prefer Walkerswood in the glass jar, it's more like a paste. Substitute chickpea or rice pasta in place of regular pasta. Coconut milk brands I recommend- Aroy-D, Chaokoh, Thai Kitchen or Trader Joe's Organic coconut milk.
If adding meat or seafood- about 1-2lbs is enough for this recipe.
Pin it for later!
Previous recipe
The above recipe is an update from an older version. If you enjoyed the previous version I've included it below.
- 1lb chicken tenderloins
- 8oz small shrimp, de-veined
- 1lb penne pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow or orange pepper, sliced
- 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4-5 sprigs thyme leaves
- Oil for sautéing
Chicken seasoning
2 heaping tablespoon jerk seasoning
3 teaspoon green seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon oil
dash of browning sauce
Shrimp seasoning
1 teaspoon green seasoning
2 heaping teaspoon jerk seasoning
pinch salt
1 teaspoon oil
Milk mixture
2, 13.5oz cans coconut milk
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon jerk seasoning
3-4 sprigs thyme leaves
Wash and clean chicken and shrimp. Season each and place in separate bowls. Leave to marinate 30 min.
Boil pasta according to box directions. Drain, drizzle oil, and toss to coat. Cover pasta while remainder of meal cooks.
Chop onion, garlic, peppers, set aside.
Add coconut milk to a small pot. Add salt, cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning and thyme leaves. Simmer on low heat for a few minutes, then remove from heat.
Cook chicken and shrimp: In a frying pan, add a little oil and saute shrimp 2-3 min. Remove shrimp. Add a little more oil, then add chicken. Cook chicken 10 minutes until brown. Remove from pan, let it rest then chop, set aside.
Saute onions garlic, thyme leaves, and peppers in oil until fragrant. Pour in milk. Let simmer a few minutes until milk thickens. Add pasta, chicken, and shrimp. Adjust salt to suit your taste.
Lakisha says
Looks amazing! Can't wait to try it out.
Aaron says
I'm making this too (minus the shrimp)!
Tenisha says
Can you make it without meat ?
Tuwana Leonard says
You probably can Ieave it out Almost sure u can not do it with out
Tuwana Leonard says
Typo...can do it with out
Alica says
Yes, of course. You can adjust the recipe however you like.
Chef says
You can definitely make it without meat, then it's true Rasta pasta
tyiesha davis says
amazing ... my family loved this .. my daughter was eating out of the pot and my husband called from work the next day to remind me that he loved me during his lunch lol.. thank you so much... i did use a dried type of green all purpose seasoning since i could not find some of the ingredients for original but it was still amazing.. thank you... simple quick and delish.. from a mom that works two jobs but still loves to cook a great meal like all the time ...
Alicia says
Ohhhhhh thank youuuuu for sharing this mouth watering recipe. So, I tried it and my errors were that I cooked the pasta too much st the beginning and I did not allow my coconut milk to simmer. But I loved the taste, it really smells Caribbean and the flavors just burst in your mouth! Thanks again! I’ll try the roti next- wish me luck.
You’re a blessing
HORACE BULL says
I've read other peoples recipe your by far is the most authentic & tastes incredible
fsb says
When does the thyme come in? You have it listed twice in the ingredients, but it’s not present at all in the instructions.
Thanks!
Alica says
Thanks for letting me know! I've updated the instructions with where to add the thyme leaves :).
Shabana says
I absolutely love Rasta Pasta. I have never seen this version of the recipe so I cannot wait to try this. I normally make it using Knorr Parma Rosa and add cheese. Always full of creaminess and flavor. Will definitely try this version soon.
Alica says
Hi Shabana,
Oh yes! It's so yummy with the parma rosa. I used coconut milk in this version because of I've cut dairy out of my diet, but you can also substitute heavy cream as well instead of coconut milk. Hope you enjoy this if you do try it!
Nit says
Hi Alicia, if I use Parma Rosa with the coconut milk, how would that work? And should I add cheese with it or would that be too much flavors?
Thanks!
Alica says
Hi Nit,
I have never made this dish with parma rosa sauce. I've only used coconut milk or heavy cream. You can definitely add cheese in the milk mixture if you'd like. I think white cheddar or parmesan would be great!
Michelle says
I tried this yesterday and love it. I'm not a fan of penne pasta so i'll try linguine next time. Thank you for the recipe
caz says
hi just wondering where you can buy the Palma rosa sauce from. I've looked in all the supermarkets
Tia Annie says
Target. Knorr’s Parma Rosa. I add it to the coconut milk. Delish!
Sharon Russ says
I tried the Rasta Pasta receipe and it came out perfect. Thank you
Taliya A says
Try footprints in brooklyn! Soooo much better than sugarcane!
Darrylisha Ezell says
Is there any alternative that I can use for the green seasoning, really want to try the recipe just don't have the time to make the green seasoning.
Alica says
Hi there, you can use the bottled green seasoning in place. Available at Caribbean markets.
Katrese W. says
OMG!! I made this last night and could have slapped myself it was so good! I used half coconut milk, half heavy cream and add asparagus and it was amazing! My family ate it all up! Never would have thought to use the coconut milk. Thank you!
A says
Accidentally mixed 2 recipes up, and ended up adding Parm cheese to the coconut milk. It came out great! Didn’t realie the mix up till 2 weeks later when I wanted to make it again!
Ari says
Hi I’m allergic to coconut. Can I just substitute regular milk?
Alica says
Hi, I wouldn't use whole milk here. The sauce will be too thin. Heavy cream is perfect.
Jessica A Watson says
This recipe is insanely incredible!! Even better than the local Caribbean restaurant!