Description
Spice up your dinner with this delectable Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta, a creamy dish that fuses Cajun flavors with rich cheese and tender penne pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights or impressing guests at dinner parties. This easy recipe allows you to customize the spice level to your taste while delivering a comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas or craving something indulgent, this dish is a must-try!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp (sliced or peeled/deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Juice of ½ lime
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain.
- Season your chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Sear in a skillet with olive oil until cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and sauté the bell peppers and garlic until softened.
- Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Toast spices briefly before adding heavy cream and simmering while stirring in Parmesan cheese until creamy.
- Combine cooked pasta and protein into the sauce, mixing thoroughly. Add reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary and garnish with fresh herbs and lime juice before serving hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 295g)
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 120mg