This jerk shrimp pasta recipe combines tender, seasoned shrimp, bell peppers, and a cheesy cream sauce with al dente pasta to create an easy weeknight meal that leaves you feeling like you took a quick trip to the Caribbean. And, speaking of quick, it's ready in 20 minutes!
Seafood is where it's at for dinner ideas! Especially if it's part of delicious gluten free pasta recipes.
I'm a big fan of all seafood, but I particularly love adding shrimp to pasta. It cooks so quickly and easily, and it can be used with so many flavors. You can serve lighter dishes like this lemon garlic pasta with shrimp or heartier meals like Marry Me shrimp pasta. There's never a bad time to use it.
Just like my Cajun creamy shrimp pasta, this creamy jerk shrimp pasta recipe is loaded with bold flavors that perfectly complement the mild seafood flavor of everyone's favorite shellfish.
This simple pasta dish is a particular favorite because it's so easy you can make it for busy weeknight dinners or as a quick and easy meal for special occasions. Just pair it with some garlic bread and a light side like this citrus arugula salad.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Rich, Not Heavy: A mix of heavy cream and chicken broth makes this pasta rich and creamy, yet not overly thick or heavy.
- Bold Flavor: A combination of Jamaican jerk seasoning, paprika, ginger, and a few other spices gives this recipe a bold flavor.
- Quick and Easy: It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish to make this recipe.
- Simple Ingredients: You can find everything you need quickly and easily in your kitchen or the grocery store.
- Perfect for Weeknights: Such a quick and easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients
I used OliveNation for the red bell pepper seasoning, Hungarian paprika, and roasted garlic powder in this recipe. Their products are incredibly high quality and add so much flavor. Use code: NK15 for 15% off.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Variations
- Jumbo Shrimp: You can use small shrimp, tiger shrimp, or even prawns for this recipe.
- Other Seafood: The flavors in this recipe work well with all your favorite shellfish.
- Protein: Chicken, cubed pork, or beef works well with the flavors in this recipe. Be aware that your cooking time will increase, as these cook more slowly than shrimp.
- Pasta: Any short, textured pasta will work well. Just be sure to use textured pasta to hold the sauce.
- Parmesan: Try Asiago or Pecorino Romano for a slightly different flavor.
- Dairy Free: Use vegan alternatives like full fat coconut milk and vegan mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a dairy free version.
- Bell Peppers: Add yellow bell peppers for even more color.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a kick of heat that pairs nicely with the flavors in this dish.
- Pasta: I love fusilli, but any short pasta like penne or corkscrew will work.
How to Make Jerk Shrimp Pasta
While boiling your pasta, mix the shrimp with part of the seasonings. The exact amounts are in the recipe card.
In a skillet, cook the shrimp over medium heat in olive oil until slightly pink. Then, transfer them to a plate.
Add more olive oil to the skillet, and cook the bell peppers until softened.
Reduce the heat and add the liquids and remaining seasonings and stir.
Stir in both cheeses and simmer until thickened.
Gently stir in the shrimp and al dente pasta and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- To make this a one-pan meal, boil the pasta in a large skillet you'll then use to make the rest of the dish.
- When choosing fresh shrimp, look for bright, glossy shrimp with a fresh, ocean smell. They should never be dull or smell "fishy".
- Medium is the perfect temperature for cooking shrimp. It cooks them to perfection quickly without burning or overcooking.
- Only cook your shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side. It doesn't take long!
- Perfectly cooked shrimp should be shaped like a C, not an O.
- This recipe cooks quickly, so begin boiling your water for your pasta at the same time you start cooking the rest of the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jerk is a style of cooking from Jamaica in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk.
To fully cook the shrimp, it only needs to be cooked in a skillet for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
Perfectly cooked shrimp should be shaped like a C. If it's shaped like an O, it's overcooked.
Jerk seasoning has a complex flavor that's sweet, smoky, fiery, fruity, and salty.
📖 Recipe
Jerk Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 12 oz gluten-free fusilli
- 1 ½ lbs jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 orange bell pepper sliced evenly
- 1 green bell pepper sliced evenly
- ¼ teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- 1 ¾ tablespoon jerk seasoning
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¾ teaspoon OliveNation red bell pepper seasoning
- 1 ¼ teaspoon OliveNation Hungarian paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon OliveNation ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 oz parmesan cheese
- 3 oz mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Boil the pasta per the package directions for al dente. Begin the rest of the recipe while the pasta boils.
- Stir the shrimp with 1 ¼ tablespoons jerk seasoning, ¼ teaspoon roasted garlic powder, and ¾ teaspoon Hungarian paprika until coated.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side until slightly pink. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining olive oil. Add the sliced peppers to the heated oil and cook for about 3 minutes or until slightly translucent.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream, chicken broth, the remaining jerk seasoning and Hungarian paprika, dried thyme, red bell pepper seasoning, ginger powder, and salt. Stir well.
- Stir in both cheeses.
- Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until thickened.
- Gently stir in the pasta followed by the cooked shrimp and serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- To reheat leftovers, add them to a saucepan with a touch of water and cook on medium-low until heated through.
- To make this a one-pan meal, boil the pasta in a large skillet you'll then use to make the rest of the dish.
- When choosing fresh shrimp, look for bright, glossy shrimp with a fresh, ocean smell. They should never be dull or smell "fishy".
- Medium is the perfect temperature for cooking shrimp. It cooks them to perfection quickly without burning or overcooking.
- Only cook your shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side. It doesn't take long!
- Perfectly cooked shrimp should be shaped like a C, not an O.
- This recipe cooks quickly, so begin boiling your water for your pasta at the same time you start cooking the rest of the dish.
jaleah says
this jerk shrimp pasta is so flavorful! absolutely loved this dish.
Ashley says
I would have never thought to combine these two things--what a delicious mashup!
Swathi says
This shirmp jerk pasta is so yummy, I haven't thought about making jerk seasoning added to shrimp. I made with your recipe so good.
Lora says
This jerk shrimp pasta looks so creamy and flavorful. I love that it’s ready in just 20 minutes!
Lisa says
Delicious...perfect heat level and a great combination with the shrimp and the pasta. My family really enjoyed this recipe.
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!