Go Back
–+ servings
easy crab pasta on a small white plate
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Easy Creamy Crab Pasta

Easy crab pasta is a creamy, flavorful seafood dinner that combines creamy, decadent pasta with sweet crab meat. Ready in about 20 minutes, this recipe is quick enough for busy weeknights but feels fancy enough for date nights at home or easy entertaining.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pasta, Seafood
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 470kcal
Author: Meaghan - The Quicker Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 8 oz fettuccini pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 1/2 cups half & half
  • 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried tarragon lightly crushed
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 8 oz lump crab meat drained
  • fresh parsley leaves for garnish (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta per the box instrcutions for 'al dente'. Drain, rinse with cold water, then set aside.
    8 oz fettuccini pasta
  • Add the butter to a large skillet set over medium heat. Once hot add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
    2 tbsp butter, 2 cloves garlic
  • Whisk in the flour until evenly combined. Slowly pour the half and half in, whisking constantly, until evenly incorporated.
    1 tbsp flour, 1 1/2 cups half & half
  • Bring the sauce to a low simmer, then add the cheese, stirring until it's completely melted and smooth.
    1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Add the rest of the seasonings, stirring to evenly incorporated. Remove the skillet from heat.
    1 tsp dried tarragon, 1 tsp lemon zest, salt & pepper
  • Add the pasta and crab to the skillet, gently tossing until well coated with the sauce.
    8 oz lump crab meat
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • If the sauce is too thick, add an extra splash of half and half to thin it out some.
  • You can make this same pasta using shrimp or a mixture of shrimp and crab if you like.
  • If you time it right, you can make the sauce while you make the pasta. Start melting the butter right when you put the noodles into boil and noodles should be ready to go right around when the sauce is done.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 712mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 596IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 245mg | Iron: 1mg