Description
Luxurious “creamy crab fettuccine alfredo” blends delicate seafood with silky pasta in a rich parmesan sauce. Seafood enthusiasts savor each velvety bite of this elegant Italian-inspired classic that promises restaurant-quality comfort on your dinner plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked lump crab meat
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of salted water and cook the fettuccine until it reaches al dente perfection, ensuring a tender yet firm texture. Drain the pasta, reserving a small quantity of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustment.
- Craft the luxurious Alfredo base by gently melting butter in a spacious skillet, then introducing minced garlic and allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the pan for approximately one minute.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, creating a gentle simmer that gradually thickens the sauce. Incorporate Parmesan and cream cheese, stirring meticulously until a velvety, uniform consistency emerges.
- Delicately fold the succulent crab meat into the creamy mixture, warming it through while preserving its delicate texture. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Transfer the fettuccine directly into the sauce, using tongs to ensure each strand becomes luxuriously coated. If the sauce appears too dense, incrementally introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, clinging texture.
- Plate the dish immediately, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley to provide a vibrant, herbaceous contrast to the rich, creamy preparation. Serve piping hot for optimal flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of fettuccine.
- Gentle Crab Handling: Fold crab meat delicately into the sauce to prevent breaking the delicate pieces and preserve its tender texture.
- Cheese Melting Trick: Grate Parmesan fresh and add it gradually to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular fettuccine with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 715
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg