Crab Pasta

Out of all the crab recipes, this crab pasta would be our ultimate comfort food. It’s the perfect combo of a zesty lemony garlicky pasta with succulent crab legs. While you can use any crab meat for this recipe, we use fresh and cook them in the same skillet. The flavors are impeccable! Read more below and watch the video to make this delicious crab pasta in under 30 minutes!

We just shared our GO TO tutorial for How To Cook Crab Legs 4 different ways! It was requested so much and we just had to put that post together. So if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, please go ahead now.

As for today’s succulent crab pasta, think of it as a blend of Shrimp Scampi and Butter Poached Lobster. Creamy and lemony sauce with hints of garlic and fresh herbs. SO GOOD topped with those succulent crab meat or carb legs.

We shared a tutorial last week on How To Cook Crab Legs 4 different ways, so make sure to check it out. It can be intimidating to make for the first time, so we broke it down for easy fool proof results. Also we have a zingy sweet Crab Claws recipe made all in one pot!

Why You’ll LOVE this Crab Pasta

• This is a 30 mins meal start to finish.
• We made this using linguine, but you can absolutely use any type of pasta you like.
• We have made this crab linguine in a single pot start to finish, except for boiling the pasta.
• You can make this as creamy or light as you prefer. This is done by adjusting the ratio of pasta water to cream.
• Crab is an extremely tasty and nutritious seafood, so this meal is SO GOOD for you.
• Any type of crab works great here.
• This is an Italian favorite which you’ll find along many coastal cities.
• If you have leftover crab, this is a great way to use it.
• Find our whole tutorial on How To Cook Crab Legs here and make some!

Ingredients You Need

• Crab. Use any type of crabs you prefer or use leftover cooked crab meat. We used split king crab legs here.
• Garlic. Ultimate flavor with the crabs.
• Butter. To sear the crab and make the pasta sauce super luscious.
• Lemon. We love zesting lemons over sauces for a bright fragrant flavor, along with lemon slices.
• Cream. You just need a touch along with the pasta water, and it’s optional.
• Herbs. A combo of fresh thyme and oregano are BEST.
• Seasoning. Salt and pepper are the basic seasoning, and we have a touch of chilli flakes. It’s only for those who prefer a spice kick, otherwise you can skip the chilli flakes. We also love a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

How to Make Crab Pasta or Crab Linguine

Cook the Crab

1. You’re going to start by using a cast iron or oven safe heavy duty skillet.
2. Add the butter to the skillet and add in the crab along with the seasoning.
3. Cook for about 2 minutes and then add in the garlic, and more butter and flip the crab. Cook them for 2 more minutes.
   
4. Cover the skillet with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for 15 minutes until the crab has cooked all the way through. It will have a golden color and the meat will be opaque.

Make the Sauce

1. The first step to make the sauce is to remove the cooked crab form the skillet and use the same pan to make the sauce. This infuses the sauce with a rich deep crab flavor!
2. So you’ll add in the butter, garlic, herbs and lemon slices. Cook that base of the sauce until fragrant.
   
3. Add in the pasta water from the pot of cooking pasta. This will create a delicious starchy sauce for the linguine.
4. If you want an EXTRA creamy and luscious sauce, this is when you’ll add in the cream. It’s best to use table creamy or heavy cream so 18% or 35%, and use small amount.
   
5. Once the sauce bubbles, lower the heat to low and it will have thickened. Add in the cooked linguine right into the sauce in the skillet and toss it well with the sauce.
   
6. At this point all you need to do is serve the pasta with the sauce and the cooked crab on top.
7. Such an easy and delicious seafood pasta recipe!

Crab Pasta Recipe Tips

1. If you have leftover crabs, you can make this recipe starting at the sauce step. Read our tutorial on How To Cook Crab Legs if you haven’t made them at home yet.
2. You can use store bought crab meat as well.
3. If making the recipe as is, make sure you use a heavy duty skillet that can go in the oven.
4. Using the same skillet creates a richer crab flavor to the sauce.
5. Watch out for the crabs in the oven, they don’t require much time.
6. When cooking the pasta, make sure to save the pasta water for the sauce.
7. The pasta water is starchy and creates a great sauce.
8. If you want an extra creamy and divine sauce, add some cream. Avoid using half n half because it may curdle with the lemon slices and lemon juice.
9. It’s best to use minimal cream than to use half n half.
10. If you like parmesan with the pasta, add it at the end along with the herbs.

How Store Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat the dish in the microwave adding in 1-2 Tablespoons of cream, depending on your taste. We don’t recommend freezing any pasta with cream sauces as the texture will change.

What to Serve with Crab Pasta?

• Salads. Italian delights like Panzanella Salad, Tomato Salad, Burrata Salad, Caprese Salad.
• Bread. Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Fougasse, Ultimate Garlic Bread, Easy No Knead Bread.

More Seafood Pasta Recipes

Sardine Pasta
Tuna Casserole
Shrimp Scampi
Lobster Pasta
Shrimp Pasta
Sockeye Salmon With Lemon Butter Sauce is great served over pasta.

5 from 7 votes

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Crab Pasta

Out of all the crab recipes, this crab pasta would be our ultimate comfort food. It’s the perfect combo of a zesty lemony garlicky pasta with succulent crab legs. While you can use any crab meat for this recipe, we use fresh and cook them in the same skillet. The flavors are impeccable! Read more below and watch the video to make this delicious crab pasta in under 30 minutes!

Course Main Course, Main Dish, Pasta, Seafood

Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Keyword Crab, crab linguine, Crab pasta, Crab recipes, pasta recipes, seafood pasta, seafood recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 124 kcal

Author Mahy

Ingredients

Crab

• 2 pounds crab legs defrosted
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Pasta Sauce

• 4 Tabelspoons butter divided into two parts
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1-3 lemon slices
• 2 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 2 cups pasta water or stock
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 Tablespoon chives
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes optional

Instructions

1. The first step to make the sauce is to remove the cooked crab form the skillet and use the same pan to make the sauce. This infuses the sauce with a rich deep crab flavor!
2. So you’ll add in the butter, garlic, herbs and lemon slices. Cook that base of the sauce until fragrant.
3. A hand holding a cup of pasta water and pouring it into the skillet to make the carb pasta sauce
4. Add in the pasta water from the pot of cooking pasta. This will create a delicious starchy sauce for the linguine.
5. If you want an EXTRA creamy and luscious sauce, this is when you’ll add in the cream. It’s best to use table creamy or heavy cream so 18% or 35%, and use small amount.
6. cooked linguine is added to the sauce skillet and tossed well.
7. Once the sauce bubbles, lower the heat to low and it will have thickened. Add in the cooked linguine right into the sauce in the skillet and toss it well with the sauce.
8. A plate of the cooked crab pasta with the crab on top and more herbs, some lemon slices and chilli flakes
9. At this point all you need to do is serve the pasta with the sauce and the cooked crab on top.
10. Such an easy and delicious seafood pasta recipe!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Crab Pasta Recipe Tips

1. If you have leftover crabs, you can make this recipe starting at the sauce step. Read our tutorial on How To Cook Crab Legs if you haven’t made them at home yet.
2. You can use store bought crab meat as well.
3. If making the recipe as is, make sure you use a heavy duty skillet that can go in the oven.
4. Using the same skillet creates a richer crab flavor to the sauce. 
5. Watch out for the crabs in the oven, they don’t require much time. 
6. When cooking the pasta, make sure to save the pasta water for the sauce. 
7. The pasta water is starchy and creates a great sauce. 
8. If you want an extra creamy and divine sauce, add some cream. Avoid using half n half because it may curdle with the lemon slices and lemon juice. 
9. It’s best to use minimal cream than to use half n half. 
10. If you like parmesan with the pasta, add it at the end along with the herbs. 

 

How Store Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat the dish in the microwave adding in 1-2 Tablespoons of cream, depending on your taste. We don’t recommend freezing any pasta with cream sauces as the texture will change. 

What to Serve with Crab Pasta?

• Salads. Italian delights like Panzanella Salad, Tomato Salad, Burrata Salad, Caprese Salad.
• Bread. Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Fougasse, Ultimate Garlic Bread, Easy No Knead Bread.

Nutrition Facts

Crab Pasta

Amount Per Serving

Calories 124 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 34mg11%

Sodium 356mg15%

Potassium 85mg2%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 551IU11%

Vitamin C 18mg22%

Calcium 42mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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