Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Make a simple and comforting one-pot Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta for a weeknight dinner that comes enriched with spicy jerk flavors, bell peppers, and a thick, cheesy sauce----much like the traditional version. Dairy-free, Vegan, and Gluten-free options.

I'm seriously excited about sharing this Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta because I'm always thrilled to share a bit of my roots and the comfort foods that I love most! And of course, pasta is definitely a yes---always, so this recipe in particular is a double win to me. Haha.

But more importantly, I'm always into creamy pasta and this rasta pasta is truly living up to that! It's super easy to make, only requires a handful of ingredients, comes with the right amount of spicy and cheesy flavors, and works for the entire family. Plus, you can add your favorite eat or seafood (if you're a meat eater)---like this Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta Skillet and it's just as delicious warmed up as leftovers. This Plant-based Jamaican Oxtail Recipe is the best twist on classic oxtail and It's full of flavor and comfort and entirely meatless. 

So, these quick, easy meals come in real handy, especially on those days!

Of course, you can always search ‘weeknight meals‘ on our site for more deliciousness.

Jump to:

• What is Rasta Pasta?
• How to Make Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Ingredients For Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Can I Use a Jerk Marinade Instead?
• Homemade Jerk Seasoning
• Why You'll Love this Rasta Pasta.
• What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Rasta Pasta With?
• Topping Ideas for Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Adding Protein to this Creamy Rasta Pasta
• Make-Ahead Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
• What White Wine is Best in Pasta?
• Common Q + A's for this Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• More Jamaican-inspired Dishes To Try!
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

What is Rasta Pasta?

Basically, rasta pasta in the Jamaican culture is made from jerk seasoning, bell peppers, cream, and pasta. The colors from the dish originally reflected the colors of the Rastafarian culture: red, green, and yellow, which prompted someone to call it "rasta pasta".

However, today, most rasta pasta dishes now reflect the Jamaican flag colors: yellow pasta, blackened jerk chicken, green bell peppers, and fresh herbs (cilantro or parsley).

How to Make Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Start making this recipe by boiling your pasta. In the meantime, you make your creamy sauce by sautéing a few garlic cloves, and then adding in the seasoning, heavy cream, veggie stock, and white cooking wine.

Next, toss in your chopped peppers, finish things off with freshly-grated parmesan cheese, stir in the pasta, and wallah.

Ingredients For Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

This is a very simple rasta pasta recipe, but it does have TWO components: the creamy sauce and the pasta itself.

CREAMY SAUCE INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you need to make this fast creamy rasta pasta dinner recipe:

• Pasta. I like to keep things traditional with this rasta pasta by using penne. However, you can use your fave short-cut or long-cut pasta, including rigatoni, pappardelle, linguine, etc.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Enhances the sauce's texture and adds a hint of fruity flavor.
• Garlic cloves (minced). Imparts aromatic, savory notes to the sauce. I recommend fresh, but you could use ½ teaspoon granulated garlic.
• Organic all-purpose flour. Acts as a thickening agent for the creamy sauce.
• Sea salt + Black pepper. Enhances the overall seasoning of the dish.
• Jerk seasoning. You can purchase a store-bought version or create a homemade blend using: onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried thyme, brown sugar, ground allspice, dried parsley, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cumin. See my homemade blend recipe!
• Thyme. I like to add fresh thyme sprigs to this sauce. Imparts a fragrant herbal quality that's a hallmark of authentic jerk seasoning.
• Scallions. This is an optional garnish.
• Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! For a dairy-free option, be sure to sub with full-fat coconut milk or cream.
• White wine. Choose a dry wine that you like the taste of. You can also omit this and just use additional veggie stock.
• Bell peppers. I like to use a mix of colors of bell peppers when convenient, however, you can use mini sweet peppers (all colors) and chop them medium-thin.
• Parmesan cheese. You could also use pecorino romano or Mild Cheddar. This adds a bit of sharpness to the cheese sauce. If you like a stronger cheddar flavor, you can use sharp cheddar. For an even more mild flavor, use shredded Swiss cheese.
• Veggie Stock. Helps to add extra flavor and creaminess. Use low-sodium store-bought or make your own.

Can I Use a Jerk Marinade Instead?

Absolutely! In jerk sauce or marinade, the 3 main ingredients that MUST be present are: scotch bonnet, thyme, and allspice (aka pimento seeds). You can't remove any of these ingredients or else it wouldn't be considered "jerk". To see the recipe for a jerk marinade, see my Baked Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken.

Homemade Jerk Seasoning

To make your own jerk seasoning dry rub, you'll need to follow my Homemade Jerk Dry Rub Seasoning recipe using the following:

• Onion Powder: Adds a savory and aromatic depth.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a rich, savory note that complements the other spices and herbs in the blend.
• Cayenne Pepper: Infuses a fiery heat.
• Black Pepper: Adds a bold and sharp flavor.
• Dried Thyme: Imparts a fragrant herbal quality that's a hallmark of authentic jerk seasoning.
• Organic Brown Sugar: Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
• Ground Allspice: Offers a warm and pungent flavor that's a key ingredient in jerk seasoning, providing depth and complexity.
• Dried Parsley: Enhances the seasoning with a mild herbal freshness.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky and slightly sweet note that elevates the overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Intensify the heat!
• Ground Cinnamon: Contributes a warm and sweet undertone.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers a hint of nutty sweetness.
• Ground Cloves: Infuses a strong, aromatic, and slightly sweet taste into the blend.
• Cumin Powder: Provides a subtle earthy note, adding depth to the overall flavor.

Why You'll Love this Rasta Pasta.

First and foremost, the flavors in this simple and creamy rasta pasta is enough to convince anyone, however, here are a few more reasons why you’ll love this pasta dinner:

• It’s absolutely delicious—-creamy + velvety. I always try to ensure that my creamy pastas are just that----creamy! So, using cream-based ingredients like a high-quality heavy creamy and freshly-grated parmesan helps to achieve this best!
• Super easy to make and quick! I literally love making the most delicious weeknight meals that don't take a ton of time and effort and this recipe is it! Plus, no crazy clean-up! Can we say–Everything in a pot and skillet?
• Full of flavor + well seasoned! (The best reason). This by far is one of my biggest reasons for making this pasta. I enjoy adding spices + herbs to create a bold flavor profile that works with penne.
• Perfect for any time of day—Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast (if that’s your thing), whatever! Most of all, this is my biggest plus! I love pasta during anytime of the day, especially whenever there are leftovers. The good thing is that this pasta reheats nicely once done over the stovetop---slow and warmed through.

What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Rasta Pasta With?

With most pasta dishes, I often enjoy them with a side of bread of some sort. Most times, I make my own homemade garlic bread, however, you can choose to spruce things up with many other options such as:

• A delicious Salad
• Sautéed Greens
• Grilled Veggies
• Toasted Bread

Topping Ideas for Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

While I love this rasta pasta skillet dinner as-is, straight from the pan, you can dress it up with toppings if you like.

I usually keep things traditional with chopped bell peppers, but for extra spice, color and texture, you can try:

• Chopped nuts, such as toasted hazelnuts or walnuts
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Sliced jalapeños or scotch bonnet for a bit of heat
• Shredded vegan cheese
• Herb roasted tomatoes 
• Kale or spinach
• Candied bacon
• Black olives
• Grated lemon zest --adds a zesty, citrusy twist that brightens up the dish.
• More parmesan cheese
• Toasted panko bread crumbs

If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PASTA!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Everything from my fave baking sheet, parchment paper, food processor, high-powered blender, skillets, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Adding Protein to this Creamy Rasta Pasta

If you'd like to add protein to this pasta dish, it's easy to do, regardless of your diet!

Plant-based protein options:

• Crispy or canned chickpeas or beans
• Crispy seared or baked tofu cubes
• Crumbled stir-fried seitan
• Crumble vegan bacon on top
• Sautéed cauliflower florets or broccoli

Non-vegan protein options:

• Chicken (breast sliced) or Shredded chicken
• Bacon or candied bacon
• Salmon
• Shrimp
• Lobster
• Beef
• Oxtails
• Fish (fried, jerked, grilled, etc.)
• etc.

You can also check out Awesome Meat Substitutes to Try This Year if you're new to plant-based life and want to experiment!

Make-Ahead Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

If you're meal prepping, you can make a big batch of this creamy rasta pasta. Divide it between airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to four days. You can heat it up on the stove or in the microwave for a comforting lunch all week long.

Choosing Your Perfect Pasta

You can use any type of pasta that you like in this recipe. That is what makes this Creamy Rasta Pasta recipe so adaptable!

I love using penne because it does a beautiful job of embracing and holding onto the sauce and it's the most traditional pasta used in this dish. But any of these pasta varieties would work for this dish:

• Pappardelle
• Farfalle
• Tagliatelle
• Fettuccine
• Falafel
• Rigatoni
• Paccheri
• Orecchiette
• Spirals
• Shells
• Ravioli or gnocchi would also go wonderfully with this sauce!

I would recommend tossing with tongs to ensure that longer varieties of pasta is fully manageable and fully coated. You can also use gluten-free pasta, whole-wheat pasta, or even zoodles for a low-carb option!

What White Wine is Best in Pasta?

I tend to use a lot of white cooking wine, which is easiest for me. However, I do occasionally add quality white wine to my dishes and I recommend using a dry white wine.

A dry white wine will add the right amount of acidity rather than sweetness, which will better compliment your dish like this rasta pasta recipe. In general, any of the following dry white wines work great in this dish:

Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and dry sparkling wines.

Common Q + A's for this Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta

More Jamaican-inspired Dishes To Try!

• Vegan Jamaican Stew Peas
• Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken
• Spicy Jamaican Beef Patties
• Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
• Jamaican Chicken Soup
• Jerk Whole Roast Chicken
• Jamaican Rum Punch Mocktail
• Vegan Jamaican Jerk Walnut Tacos
• Best Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza
• Crispy Baked Jerk Potato Wedges
• Jerk Vegetable Farro Bowl with Maple Herb Apples

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.

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