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Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta Recipe

Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 11 reviews

A flavorful and spicy twist on a classic pasta dish, Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta is a creamy and satisfying recipe that combines tender chicken or shrimp with a rich Cajun-spiced cream sauce, bell peppers, and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

  • 12 oz penne pasta

Protein:

  • 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp (sliced or peeled/deveined)

Seasonings:

  • 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

Optional Add-ins:

  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil penne in salted water until al dente (1 minute under package time). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Cook the Protein: 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.
  3. Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add remaining oil and butter. Sauté sliced bell peppers and garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  4. Build the Sauce: 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.
  5. Combine Everything: Add pasta and cooked chicken/shrimp to the sauce. Stir to coat. Add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Adjust seasoning, garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime, and serve hot!

Nutrition

Keywords: spicy pasta, Cajun pasta, creamy pasta, rattlesnake pasta

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/spicy-rattlesnake-pasta-recipe/