Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta Fusion (Print-Friendly Version)
Creamy penne tossed with sizzling Cajun spice, bell peppers, and chicken or shrimp – ready in just 30 minutes.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
12 oz penne pasta
02 -
1 lb chicken breast or shrimp, sliced or peeled and deveined
03 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
04 -
1 tablespoon butter
05 -
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 -
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
09 -
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
10 -
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjustable to taste
11 -
1 ½ cups heavy cream
12 -
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 -
Salt, to taste
14 -
Black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Add-ins
15 -
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 -
Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
17 -
Juice of ½ lime
18 -
½ cup reserved pasta water
# How to Make It:
01 -
Boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente, about 1 minute less than package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
02 -
Season chicken or shrimp with salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the protein until cooked through. Set aside.
03 -
In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté the red and green bell peppers with minced garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened.
04 -
Add the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Toast the spices for 30 seconds, then pour in the heavy cream. Simmer and stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy.
05 -
Toss the cooked pasta and the prepared chicken or shrimp into the sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
06 -
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and serve hot.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Reserve pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
02 -
Use cayenne pepper to increase the spice level if desired.