Why You’ll Love This Dish

If you love creamy pasta but crave bold flavor, this dish is for you. Smoky Nigerian suya spice meets rich vodka cream sauce, with fire-seared shrimp and a perfectly cooked steak on the side. It’s decadent. It’s dramatic. It’s dinner with depth.

Key Features

• Bold Fusion Flavors: Suya spice adds a smoky, nutty heat to classic vodka sauce.

• Elevated Protein Pairing: Juicy garlic butter shrimp and tender medium-rare steak.

• Restaurant-Worthy at Home: Rich, indulgent flavors that come together in under 45 minutes.

🛒 Ingredients

Pasta & Sauce

• ½ lb rigatoni

• Salted water (for boiling)

• 1½ cups heavy cream

• 1 tube tomato paste

• 1–2 habanero peppers, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp garlic paste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ¼ cup vodka

• ½ cup suya spice (sifted)

• 1 tsp cereal seasoning (optional, for umami depth)

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• Reserved pasta water (as needed)

• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan

• Handful of fresh basil, torn

• 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

Shrimp

• 8–10 large shrimp

• ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp Cajun seasoning

• Salt to taste

Steak

• 6 oz ribeye or sirloin

• Kosher salt

• 1 tbsp butter

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Boil rigatoni in generously salted water until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.

2. Sear the Steak

Pat steak dry and season with salt. In a hot skillet, sear both sides.
Add butter and crushed garlic to baste until internal temp hits 140°F for medium rare. Rest, then slice thinly.

3. Sauté the Shrimp

Season shrimp with Old Bay, garlic powder, paprika, Cajun, and salt.
In the same pan, cook shrimp until opaque and lightly crisp. Set aside.

4. Build the Sauce

Reduce heat. Add olive oil, minced garlic, garlic paste, habanero, and tomato paste. Sauté until it deepens in color.
Deglaze with vodka. Stir in heavy cream, suya spice (sifted), and cereal seasoning. Simmer on low heat.

5. Combine

Add pasta to sauce. Stir in reserved water as needed for a glossy finish.
Fold in butter, shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, grated Parmesan, and basil. Toss gently.

🍽️ How to Serve

Use a wide pasta bowl for visual drama. Lay sliced steak on one side, then twirl the pasta into the center. Garnish with basil and a touch more cheese.

🔗 Tips for Success

• Sift your suya spice for a smooth sauce texture.

• Don’t skip the pasta water — it brings the sauce to life.

• Rest the steak before slicing to retain juices.

📷 Perfect Pairing

Serve with a bold red wine like Syrah or a chilled glass of Zobo Sangria for a full Afro-fusion experience.

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