Creamy and hearty, this Vegan Rasta Pasta is a flavorful meal featuring jerk seasoning. Protein packed and ready in 25 minutes!
This is a quick, simple, and vegan version of classic rasta pasta. I wanted to keep the dish weeknight friendly with minimal prep time, yet still bring all the flavor.
In this pasta, the jerk seasoning does all the work. Jerk seasoning has a beautiful combination of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.
This vegan rasta pasta is quickly becoming one of my favorite meals, along with some of my other creamy pasta recipes like vegan Cajun pasta! There is nothing like a good creamy pasta - and this one has tons of protein and veggies!
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What is rasta pasta?
Rasta pasta is a creamy pasta dish, with jerk chicken and bell peppers. It's also known as jerk pasta.
The dish originates from a Jamaican chef who made the dish for construction workers.
This vegan version uses a vegan chicken and vegan cream cheese, for a delicious plant-based version of the classic.
Why I love this Vegan Rasta Pasta
- Dietary needs - this creamy pasta is vegan, dairy-free, plant-based, oil-free, and sugar-free. It can also be easily made gluten-free
- Protein-packed - my seitan chicken is packed with protein. And many vegan chicken options are high protein as well
- Weeknight dinner - this dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinner
- Balanced meal - protein, healthy carbohydrates, and veggies, all in one meal
- Packed with flavor - Jamaican jerk seasoning is a delightful combination of savory and sweet, for a delicious dish
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Penne Pasta: I like penne in this dish because it is the same size as the chicken pieces. You can use any short pasta like rigatoni, gemelli, or even elbow.
- Vegan Chicken: I used my Vegan Seitan Chicken - it's packed with protein and made with whole foods. You can also use a vegan chicken substitute like Daring, which has a great chicken texture. Or Abbot's for a clean, gluten-free option.
- Yellow Onion: a yellow or red onion would work here too
- Bell Peppers: I used one red, one orange, and one green. Feel free to use any color(s).
- Garlic
- Jerk Seasoning: you can use a store bought seasoning or make your own. I used this recipe for jerk seasoning.
- Vegan Cream Cheese: to balance out the heat of the seasoning and make a super creamy dish. I recommend Kroger's simple truth non-dairy cream cheese
- Scallions & Parsley: for garnish
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the chicken. If using my seitan chicken, bake in the oven as directed. If using a store-bought chicken, pan cook according to the package directions.
Step 2. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook until pasta is al dente, according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
Step 3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, until the veggies are starting to soften.
Step 4. Stir in the garlic and jerk seasoning to coat the veggies.
Step 5. Add the chicken, cream cheese, and then pasta. Stir well, to melt the cream cheese. Add the pasta water to thin.
Step 6. Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley and scallions.
FAQ & Expert Tips
The sauce for this rasta pasta is made of cream cheese and jerk seasoning. I also use pasta water to thin the sauce.
Jerk seasoning is a Jamaican seasoning blend made from spices like onion, garlic, and cayenne, with warming spices like allspice and cinnamon. It is a savory, sweet, and spicy seasoning blend!
I recommend any short pasta. Shapes like penne, rigatone, rotini, gemelli, etc. will all be great!
Use Abbot's chicken and a gluten-free pasta.
This pasta will last in the fridge for up to a week. Store in an air-tight container.
Feel free to reheat in the microwave or quickly heat on the stove. You can add a splash of water to help re-hydrate the sauce
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for the nutrients and flavors in this meal. We are grateful that You give us food to feed us each day. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Rasta Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Penne Pasta
- 1 Recipe Vegan Chicken I used my vegan seitan chicken
- 1 Small Yellow Onion sliced
- 3 Medium Bell Peppers (one red, one orange or yellow, one green) sliced
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon Jerk Seasoning
- 1 Cup Vegan Cream Cheese
- Chopped Fresh Parsley for garnish
- Sliced Green Onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken. If using my seitan chicken, bake in the oven as directed. If using a store-bought chicken, pan cook according to the package directions.
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook until pasta is al dente, according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, until the veggies are starting to soften.
- Stir in the garlic and jerk seasoning to coat the veggies.
- Add the chicken, cream cheese, and then pasta. Stir well, to melt the cream cheese. Add the pasta water to thin.
- Serve with a garnish of fresh parsley and scallions.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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