Easy Rasta Pasta with Salmon Recipe

Enjoy a creamy, spicy Rasta Pasta made with colorful bell peppers, onions, garlic, and a coconut cream sauce, all topped with blackened salmon.

What is Rasta Pasta?

Rasta Pasta is a vibrant pasta dish featuring a creamy, Caribbean-inspired sauce with bell peppers and spices. It’s traditionally meat-free, but you can add your favorite protein like salmon, chicken, or shrimp. This recipe is topped with salmon for a tasty twist, but feel free to customize!

Why I Love This Recipe

This Rasta Pasta holds special memories for me as it’s a recipe from my mom that I grew up enjoying. Over the years, I’ve made it my own, adding little tweaks to suit my taste. This dish is a fantastic meal prep option too—the flavors only get better the next day.

Recipe: Rasta Pasta with Salmon

A creamy, spicy pasta topped with blackened salmon—perfect for anyone who loves Caribbean flavors!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (3-4 oz each)
• 1 tsp blackening seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Drizzle of olive oil

For the Pasta

• 1 lb rigatoni or ziti pasta
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• 1 tbsp jerk seasoning (Walkerswood recommended)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of white sugar (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 scallion, chopped
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

Cook the Pasta

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.

Prepare the Salmon

1. Pat salmon dry and drizzle with olive oil, seasoning with blackening spice and salt.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil on medium. Place salmon flesh-side down and sear for 5 minutes, then flip to skin side and sear for another minute.
3. Move salmon to a 400°F oven and bake for 5 minutes. Let cool.

Make the Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add olive oil, bell peppers, shallot, and scallion, cooking until soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes).
2. Stir in the jerk seasoning and garlic, cooking for 1 more minute.
3. Add coconut milk and heavy cream, bringing it to a low simmer.
4. Season with paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and onion powder, then stir in Parmesan cheese.
5. Add a pinch of sugar if desired, and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, turning off the heat afterward.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

1. Add cooked pasta to the sauce in portions, stirring to coat evenly.
2. Allow the pasta to absorb the sauce for at least 5 minutes. Use reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.

Serve

1. Place pasta on a plate and top with the salmon fillet.
2. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese as desired.

Tips

• Shrimp can also be added during the sauce step. Poach shrimp in the sauce for about 3-5 minutes until opaque, then proceed with mixing pasta into the sauce.

This easy Rasta Pasta with salmon is a creamy, spicy, and colorful dish that’s perfect for any meal! Enjoy!