Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta
A creamy and spicy pasta dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, featuring a blend of chicken or shrimp, bell peppers, and a zesty sauce.
Ingredients
Pasta and Protein
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp (sliced or peeled/deveined) Choose based on preference
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ Juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup reserved pasta water Use as needed
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped For garnish
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Boil penne in salted water until al dente (1 minute under package time). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Season chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Sear in a skillet with 1 tbsp oil until cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining oil and butter. Sauté sliced bell peppers and garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Toast spices for 30 seconds, then pour in heavy cream. Simmer and stir in Parmesan until creamy.
- Add pasta and cooked chicken/shrimp to the sauce. Stir to coat. Add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning, garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime, and serve hot!
Notes
This dish is excellent with garlic bread or a fresh green salad. Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.