How to Make Delicious Crab Pasta That Will Become Your New Favorite Dinner

Crab pasta is a simple yet elegant pasta dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight family dinner. This seafood pasta features tender pasta and sweet, succulent crab meat tossed in a creamy, buttery sauce flavored with garlic, white wine and lemon The end result is a dish that is totally decadent yet light and fresh at the same time.

Crab pasta may sound fancy, but it’s actually quite easy to make at home. With just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table. This dish is customizable too – use whatever type of pasta and seafood that you prefer. Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn how to make the best crab pasta that your family will request again and again.

Ingredients Needed to Make Crab Pasta

The beauty of crab pasta is that it relies mostly on simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pasta Use any long thin pasta variety such as linguine, spaghetti or fettuccine. Allow 8-12 oz dry pasta for 4 servings.

• Olive oil: For sautéing the aromatics. Use extra virgin for best flavor.

• Butter: Provides a rich, creamy base of flavor. Use unsalted butter.

• Garlic 2 cloves adds punchy flavor. Use fresh garlic not pre-minced.

• Shallot or onion: 1 large shallot or half a sweet onion. Provides sweetness.

• White wine: 1 cup dry white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.

• Crab meat: 1 lb jumbo lump or lump crab meat, picked over.

• Cherry tomatoes: About 2 cups, cut in half.

• Leafy herbs: Like parsley, basil, oregano. Fresh is best.

• Lemon: Zest of 1 lemon brightens the flavors.

• Salt and pepper: To taste, for seasoning.

Easy Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these simple instructions for how to make the best crab pasta in just 30 minutes:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta 1 minute less than package directions for al dente.

• Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.

Step 2: Prepare the Aromatics

• In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.

• Add the minced garlic and shallots. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Deglaze with Wine

• Pour in 1 cup white wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

• Add cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes soften.

Step 4: Add Crab Meat

• Add the lump crab meat to the skillet.

• Gently toss to combine using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Cook for 1 minute.

Step 5: Toss Everything Together

• Add the cooked pasta and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet.

• Gently toss again until the sauce coats the pasta.

• Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

• Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest and chopped fresh herbs.

• Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

• Serve crab pasta warm garnished with more herbs and lemon wedges.

That’s it! With just a handful of ingredients and six easy steps, you can learn how to make the most amazing crab pasta. The key is using quality ingredients like fresh crab, garlic, and herbs. Savor the sweet crab, tender pasta and bright lemony sauce in every bite.

Tips for Customizing Crab Pasta

One of the great things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Once you learn the basic method, there are endless ways to customize crab pasta to suit your tastes:

• Switch up the protein: Use shrimp, lobster or a mix instead of just crab.

• Add vegetables: Stir in roasted red peppers, asparagus tips, peas or spinach.

• Toss with cheese: Add freshly grated parmesan, pecorino or feta.

• Use whole crabs: Steam or boilwhole crabs instead of just the meat.

• Make it spicy: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or add sriracha.

• Use whole wheat pasta: For a fiber boost.

• Mix the herbs: Basil, tarragon, mint all work well.

• Splash of cream: For an extra rich and creamy sauce.

• Lemon twist: Add zest and juice to brighten flavors.

Cooking Tips for the Best Crab Pasta

Follow these helpful tips and tricks as you learn how to master crab pasta at home:

• Pick through crab meat to remove any shells or cartilage.

• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients, not canned or pre-jarred.

• Cook pasta very al dente; it will finish cooking in the sauce.

• Gently toss the pasta and crab meat together to avoid breaking up the crab.

• Add starchy pasta water to the sauce to give it more body.

• Cook over medium-low heat to prevent scorching or breaking the sauce.

• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with salt, pepper and lemon juice.

Pairings and Serving Suggestions

Crab pasta is rich and indulgent yet light at the same time. Here are some tasty recipes to serve alongside:

• Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks

• Fresh green salad or Caesar salad

• Bruschetta with tomatoes and basil

• Sautéed broccolini with lemon and garlic

• Roasted asparagus drizzled with olive oil

A nice glass of white wine is the perfect accompaniment. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris all make excellent pairings. For dessert, serve something fresh and fruity like sorbet, berries with whipped cream or an italian ice.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Crab Pasta

Got leftovers? Here are some tips for storing and reheating crab pasta:

• Let pasta cool completely before storing.

• Store in airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days.

• Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop with a splash of wine or broth to moisten.

• Can also reheat single portions in the microwave with a splash of liquid.

• Avoid freezing pasta with seafood as it compromises texture.

• Add fresh herbs before serving to brighten up flavors.

Now that you’re armed with all the tips and tricks for how to make the most delicious crab pasta, it’s time to get cooking! Impress your family with this restaurant-worthy seafood dish that takes just 30 minutes to prepare. The garlicky, lemony butter sauce with sweet crab and fresh herbs is an absolute winner.