Description
Spice up your dinner with this irresistible Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta! This creamy dish features a delightful fusion of Cajun spices, tender chicken or shrimp, and perfectly cooked penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich cheese sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests at your next gathering. With customizable spice levels and foolproof instructions, this recipe ensures a restaurant-quality meal right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast (sliced) or shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne in salted boiling water until al dente (about 1 minute less than package instructions). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain.
- Season 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 bell peppers and garlic for about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning and pour in heavy cream; simmer and mix in Parmesan until creamy.
- Combine the cooked pasta and protein with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Adjust spice levels according to your taste by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes or cayenne. Swap chicken for turkey or use vegetables like zucchini for a vegetarian version.