Description
Spice up your dinner with this bold and creamy Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta! This vibrant dish combines the rich flavors of Cajun seasoning with a luscious cheese sauce, all enveloping tender penne pasta. In just 30 minutes, you can bring restaurant-quality dining into your home—perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests. Whether you prefer chicken or shrimp, this customizable recipe allows you to adjust the heat level and ingredients according to your taste, making it a versatile favorite. Get ready for a meal that is not only delicious but also easy to prepare!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp 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
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- 1. Cook penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- 2. Season chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Sear in a skillet until cooked through; set aside.
- 3. In the same skillet, sauté sliced bell peppers and garlic in olive oil and butter until softened.
- 4. Stir in remaining seasonings and toast for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and simmer; mix in Parmesan until creamy.
- 5. Combine pasta and protein with the sauce; add reserved pasta water as needed.
- 6. Adjust seasoning and garnish with fresh herbs and lime juice before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 155mg