The Best Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Whipping up a delectable crab fettuccine alfredo can transport you straight to coastal culinary bliss.

Creamy sauces complement delicate seafood in surprisingly harmonious ways.

Salt and ocean flavors mingle perfectly with rich, velvety pasta.

Surprisingly simple ingredients create magic in your kitchen within minutes.

Professional chefs appreciate how this dish balances elegance and comfort.

Pasta lovers will adore the luxurious combination of tender crab and smooth alfredo sauce.

Dive into this recipe and become the star of your next dinner gathering.

How To Store Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Right

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days maximum. Crab meat spoils quickly, so consume promptly.
• Not recommended due to cream sauce's separation and potential texture breakdown. Cream-based sauces tend to become grainy and lose their smooth consistency when frozen.
• Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore sauce's creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a tablespoon of cream to maintain sauce's moisture and prevent drying out.

Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Questions

• Is crab meat the best choice for this Alfredo recipe?

Yes, lump and jumbo lump crab meat provides the most delicate, sweet flavor and tender texture that perfectly complements the creamy sauce.

• Can I use pre-shredded parmesan cheese?

Fresh-grated parmesan is recommended as it melts more smoothly and provides a richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged options.

• Why do I need to reserve some pasta water?

The starchy pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling better to the fettuccine, creating a more cohesive and creamy dish.

Why Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Is A Seafood Treat

• Savor Quick Gourmet Luxury: Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that feels like a special indulgence without complicated techniques.
• Master Seafood Sophistication: Introduce elegant crab meat into a classic alfredo, elevating home cooking with professional-level flavor and impressive presentation.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, choosing different crab varieties, or adding vegetables to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Create Restaurant-Style Dining: Deliver a creamy, decadent pasta experience that rivals high-end restaurant dishes, all prepared in your own kitchen with minimal professional cooking skills.

What Goes In Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Fettuccine: A classic Italian pasta that provides the perfect base for capturing the creamy alfredo sauce.

• Lump Crab Meat, Jumbo Lump Crab Meat: Premium, sweet seafood that adds a luxurious and delicate protein to the dish.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, golden foundation for the creamy alfredo sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a smooth, velvety texture and rich flavor to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic: Offers a pungent, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Black Pepper, White Pepper: Provide a subtle, warming heat and complexity to the sauce.
• Nutmeg: Adds a warm, slightly sweet undertone that complements the creamy sauce.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the flavors of the other ingredients.

• Fresh Parsley: Brings a bright, fresh flavor and vibrant green color to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Prevents the pasta from sticking and adds a subtle fruity note.
• Pasta Water: Helps adjust the sauce consistency if needed.

How To Make Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

Step 1: Boil Pasta Water

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a vigorous boil and cook fettuccine until perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Aromatics

Finely chop fresh garlic and parsley, setting them aside for later use.

Step 3: Create Butter Base

Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat, creating a golden foundation for the sauce.

Step 4: Bloom Garlic

Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, sautéing until it becomes fragrant and turns a light golden color.

Step 5: Build Creamy Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to develop a silky smooth sauce.

Step 6: Incorporate Cheese

Whisk in parmesan cheese, blending until the sauce becomes creamy and free of lumps.

Step 7: Season Sauce

Sprinkle in black and white pepper, and add a delicate touch of nutmeg to elevate the sauce’s complexity.

Step 8: Prepare Pasta

Drain cooked fettuccine, saving a small amount of pasta water. Lightly coat noodles with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 9: Add Crab Meat

• Lump crab meat
• Jumbo lump crab meat

Take care not to break the delicate crab pieces.

Step 10: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Carefully toss the cooked pasta in the skillet, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the luxurious sauce and crab meat.

Step 11: Adjust Sauce Consistency

If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach the perfect texture.

Step 12: Garnish Dish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top, adding a bright, fresh finish.

Step 13: Serve Immediately

Plate the crab fettuccine alfredo right away, capturing its peak temperature and creamy perfection.

Tips For Cooking Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Choose Fresh Crab: Select high-quality, fresh lump crab meat for the most delicate and sweet flavor in your dish.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water gradually to thin the alfredo sauce if it becomes too thick, maintaining a silky smooth texture.
• Gentle Crab Handling: Fold crab meat gently into the sauce to preserve its delicate texture and prevent breaking the tender pieces.
• Perfect Pasta Timing: Cook fettuccine exactly 8-10 minutes for ideal al dente texture, ensuring it's not too soft or too firm.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Use a light hand with nutmeg and pepper to enhance the crab's natural sweetness without overpowering its delicate flavor.

Yummy Twists On Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Seafood Swap: Replace crab with succulent shrimp or tender scallops for a different marine protein experience.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute crab with roasted mushrooms or grilled artichoke hearts for a plant-based alternative that maintains rich, creamy textures.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta instead of traditional fettuccine to create a lighter, gluten-free version of the classic dish.
• Spicy Seafood Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the sauce for those craving a fiery Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

Great Sides For Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Seafood Wine Companion: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the rich, creamy crab alfredo with its bright acidity and mineral notes that cut through the sauce's heaviness.
• Wine Flavor Harmony: Choose a light-bodied white wine with citrus undertones to enhance the delicate crab meat's subtle sweetness without overwhelming the dish's elegant profile.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Pair with a chilled Italian pinot grigio that offers clean, refreshing characteristics which balance the sauce's luxurious texture and creamy consistency.
• Culinary Sidekick Strategy: Include a light green salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a crisp counterpoint, helping cleanse the palate between rich, buttery bites of the crab fettuccine alfredo.

Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy crab fettuccine alfredo delivers luxurious ocean-inspired comfort on a plate, blending rich seafood with silky pasta. Indulgent flavors and smooth textures invite you to savor each perfectly balanced, delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Pasta:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt

Seafood:

• 8 oz lump crab meat
• 1/2 lb jumbo lump crab meat

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 pinch nutmeg

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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 water heats, mince the garlic cloves and chop the fresh parsley with precision, setting them aside for later use.
3. In a spacious skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat, creating a rich, golden base for the sauce.
4. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
5. Gradually pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring constantly to create a smooth, velvety sauce.
6. Incorporate the parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to ensure a lump-free, creamy consistency.
7. Sprinkle in the black and white pepper, along with a delicate pinch of nutmeg, enhancing the sauce’s depth of flavor.
8. Drain the cooked fettuccine, reserving a small amount of pasta water, and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
9. Gently fold the lump and jumbo lump crab meat into the alfredo sauce, being careful not to break the delicate pieces.
10. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing carefully to coat each strand with the luxurious sauce and distribute the crab meat evenly.
11. If the sauce appears too thick, incorporate a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, creating a vibrant finishing touch to the dish.
13. Serve immediately, ensuring the crab fettuccine alfredo is enjoyed at its peak temperature and creaminess.

Notes

• Opt for fresh crab meat to elevate the dish’s flavor and texture, ensuring a more delicate and authentic seafood experience.
• Carefully fold the crab meat to maintain its delicate structure, preventing breakage and preserving the beautiful chunks of seafood.
• Adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water, creating a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to the fettuccine.
• Consider using gluten-free fettuccine for a celiac-friendly version, allowing everyone to enjoy this luxurious pasta dish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 899
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 61 g
• Saturated Fat: 36 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg