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20-Minute Creamy Cajun Crab Pasta

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy, orange-hued crab pasta, featuring linguine coated in a rich sauce.
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Make this restaurant-style creamy Cajun crab pasta quickly. This recipe delivers bold, comforting flavor using a simple, rich sauce, perfect for an easy weeknight seafood dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, for deglazing)
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the Cajun seasoning to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Do not boil rapidly.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Gently fold in the crab meat. Heat through for about 1 minute.
  8. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency for this rich buttery pasta sauce.
  10. Stir in half of the fresh parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining parsley.

Notes

  • For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the texture will be less rich.
  • If you prefer a lemon garlic crab pasta flavor, add the zest of one lemon along with the garlic in step 2.
  • This dish pairs well with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/20-minute-creamy-cajun-crab-pasta/