Luxurious Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Creamy crab fettuccine alfredo whispers luxury on your dinner plate.

Pasta lovers seek comfort in rich, indulgent dishes that sparkle with marine elegance.

Succulent seafood transforms ordinary meals into memorable experiences.

Delicate crab meat mingles with silky sauce, creating a symphony of flavors.

Incredibly smooth and decadent, this recipe promises restaurant-quality dining at home.

Minimal ingredients combine to craft something extraordinary that will impress even discerning palates.

Prepare to savor every incredible bite of this classic Italian-inspired creation.

Why Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Tastes Like A Restaurant Dish

• Craft Seafood Magic: Simple yet impressive pasta dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
• Quick Restaurant-Quality Dinner: Deliver gourmet taste without complex techniques, perfect for impressing family and friends with minimal cooking skills.
• Luxurious Comfort Food Upgrade: Elevate traditional Alfredo by introducing succulent crab meat, creating a rich and indulgent dining experience that feels like a special treat.
• Adaptable Culinary Creation: Easily modify recipe by substituting crab with shrimp or chicken, making it versatile for different dietary preferences and ingredient availability.

What You’ll Need For Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Fettuccine: A classic long, flat pasta that creates a perfect base for creamy sauces and holds onto the rich Alfredo beautifully.

• Butter: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for the Alfredo sauce and adds depth of flavor.
• Garlic: Brings a sharp, aromatic punch that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky texture that makes the Alfredo sauce incredibly smooth and indulgent.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce with its natural melting properties.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the other ingredients.
• Dried Parsley: Provides a subtle herbal note and visual appeal to the sauce.

• Lump Crab Meat: Introduces a delicate, sweet seafood element that complements the creamy sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal flavor.
• Lemon: Provides a zesty, citrusy finish that cuts through the richness of the sauce.

How To Make Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Step By Step

Step 1: Boil Water for Pasta

Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a vigorous boil. This prepares the perfect cooking environment for your fettuccine.

Step 2: Create Butter Base

Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium-low heat, creating a smooth foundation for the creamy sauce.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic

• Garlic cloves

Finely chop the garlic and introduce it to the melted butter. Sauté until the kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma and the garlic turns translucent.

Step 4: Pour Cream

• Heavy cream

Gently pour cream into the butter-garlic mixture. Stir consistently to prevent burning and develop a silky smooth base.

Step 5: Blend Cheese Sauce

• Parmesan cheese

Sprinkle cheese into the cream, whisking continuously. This technique prevents clumping and creates a rich, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.

Step 6: Season Sauce

Enhance the sauce with salt, black pepper, and dried parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings while maintaining a gentle simmer.

Step 7: Cook Pasta

Drop fettuccine into boiling water. Cook until tender but still slightly firm. Drain pasta, keeping a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.

Step 8: Add Crab Meat

• Lump crab meat

Fold crab gently into the warm Alfredo sauce. Heat through carefully to preserve the delicate seafood texture.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss pasta with crab-infused sauce, ensuring every strand is beautifully coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 10: Finish and Garnish

• Fresh lemon
• Fresh parsley

Zest and squeeze lemon over the dish. Sprinkle chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color.

Step 11: Serve Immediately

Plate the crab fettuccine Alfredo hot, showcasing the elegant blend of creamy sauce and tender seafood. Enjoy the luxurious meal right away for maximum flavor and texture.

Tips To Make Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Extra Creamy

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir fettuccine occasionally during boiling to keep noodles separated and prevent clumping.
• Master Sauce Consistency: Whisk parmesan cheese slowly and steadily to create a smooth, lump-free Alfredo sauce without burning.
• Preserve Crab Texture: Fold crab meat gently into sauce to maintain delicate chunks and prevent breaking apart the seafood.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick, ensuring perfect creamy texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast garlic briefly to release nutty aromatics before adding cream, elevating the overall taste profile of the dish.

Fun Flavors To Mix Into Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Gluten-Free Crab Fettuccine: Replace traditional fettuccine with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa flour to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diners.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calorie content while maintaining a creamy texture for health-conscious individuals.
• Vegetarian Seafood Substitute: Replace crab meat with plant-based alternatives like hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, or king oyster mushrooms for a vegetarian-friendly version.
• Spicy Cajun Crab Pasta: Add Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a splash of hot sauce to introduce a zesty, spicy flavor profile to the classic Alfredo preparation.

What To Serve With Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the rich, creamy Alfredo sauce and delicate crab meat, cutting through the heaviness while enhancing seafood flavors.
• Create Citrus Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, providing a refreshing contrast and cleansing the palate between bites.
• Match Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted sourdough or french bread with herbed butter to soak up extra sauce and add textural variety to the creamy pasta experience.
• Recommend Sparkling Water: Choose a lemon-infused sparkling water with fresh mint to cleanse the palate and offer a light, effervescent accompaniment that doesn't overpower the delicate crab flavor.

Best Way To Store Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta and sauce together. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days, preventing moisture and bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 1-2 months. Note that cream-based sauces might slightly separate upon thawing.
• Place pasta in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons water to prevent drying. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splash of cream or water to restore sauce's creamy consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions On Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Is this dish difficult to prepare?

No, this recipe is beginner-friendly. With basic cooking skills and careful attention to sauce consistency, anyone can create a delicious crab fettuccine Alfredo.

• What type of crab meat works best?

Lump crab meat is ideal for this recipe. It provides tender, delicate pieces that blend beautifully with the creamy Alfredo sauce without breaking apart.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have exact items?

Yes, you can use alternatives like romano cheese instead of parmesan, or replace heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version. Fresh or canned crab meat both work well.

Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Italian-style crab fettuccine alfredo promises pure coastal comfort with rich parmesan sauce and delicate seafood. Luxurious pasta promises restaurant-quality elegance that will transport your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 454 g (1 lb) fettuccine pasta

Seafood:

• 340 g (12 oz) lump crab meat
• 113 g (4 oz) additional crab meat (optional)

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 113 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 85 g (3/4 cup) parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley

Garnish:

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 lemon (for zest and juice)

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the fettuccine until it reaches an al dente texture, approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. While the pasta water heats, create the luxurious Alfredo sauce by melting butter in a spacious skillet over medium-low heat, ensuring a gentle cooking process.
3. Mince the garlic cloves finely and introduce them to the melted butter, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, which takes about 30-45 seconds.
4. Pour the heavy cream into the butter-garlic mixture, stirring consistently to prevent scorching and create a smooth, creamy base.
5. Gradually sprinkle in the parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to incorporate and prevent clumping, developing a rich, velvety sauce.
6. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and dried parsley, adjusting flavors to taste and maintaining a low simmer.
7. Cook the fettuccine in the boiling water until perfectly tender, then drain, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
8. Gently fold the lump crab meat into the warm Alfredo sauce, allowing the seafood to heat through without breaking apart the delicate pieces.
9. Combine the pasta and crab-infused sauce, tossing carefully to ensure even coating and distribution of the crab throughout the dish.
10. Finish the dish by zesting and squeezing fresh lemon over the top, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a bright, aromatic touch.
11. Serve immediately, presenting the crab fettuccine Alfredo hot and garnished, capturing the elegant blend of creamy sauce and tender seafood.

Notes

• Use fresh, high-quality lump crab meat for the most authentic and delicate seafood flavor, avoiding imitation crab which lacks depth.
• Keep sauce heat low to prevent cheese from separating and maintain a silky, smooth consistency that coats pasta perfectly.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce thickness if needed, creating a more emulsified and cohesive dish.
• Consider gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or gluten-free fettuccine for those with dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 676
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg