Creamy Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe: Ocean’s Delight in Pasta

Creamy and indulgent, this crab fettuccine alfredo recipe delivers a luxurious seafood twist on a classic Italian favorite.

Rich, velvety sauce coats tender strands of pasta, creating a mouthwatering combination that sings with oceanic flavors.

Succulent crab meat adds a delicate sweetness that perfectly complements the smooth alfredo base.

Each forkful promises a decadent dining experience that feels both elegant and comforting.

Fresh ingredients and simple techniques come together to craft a restaurant-worthy meal you can easily prepare at home.

The recipe strikes a beautiful balance between sophisticated and approachable, making it ideal for special occasions or a weeknight treat.

Get ready to savor every delicious bite of this seafood pasta masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 670 kcal

Servings: 5

Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Ingredient Breakdown

• Fettuccini Pasta: Silky ribbons that capture sauce beautifully, ideal for creating a restaurant-worthy dining experience.

• Butter, All-Purpose Flour, Milk, Cream Cheese: Creamy foundation that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, velvety sauce with perfect consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Aged cheese that introduces a robust, nutty essence and helps create a smooth, clinging texture.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Carefully balanced seasonings that elevate the dish with subtle, multilayered depth and warmth.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, herbaceous garnish that adds visual appeal and a fresh, clean finish to the rich sauce.

• Lump Crabmeat: Premium seafood treasure that brings delicate, sweet ocean flavors and tender, succulent texture to the pasta.

Must-Have Kitchen Tools for Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Large Skillet: Essential for creating the creamy Alfredo sauce and heating the crab.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending flour, creating a smooth roux, and incorporating cheeses without lumps.
• Pasta Pot: Needed to cook fettuccine to perfect al dente texture.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Help accurately measure ingredients like milk, flour, and seasonings.
• Cutting Board: Useful for prepping ingredients and chopping parsley if needed.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps fold crabmeat and mix pasta with sauce gently.

Step-by-Step Directions for Making Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Ocean's Embrace Pasta Selection

Grab a package of fettuccine and cook it until perfectly tender. Drain and let it rest, ready to meet its creamy companion.

• Silky Sauce Foundation

Melt butter in a skillet, then gently dust with flour. Whisk these ingredients into a smooth dance, creating a base that promises richness.

• Cheese Symphony

Sprinkle in cream cheese and Parmesan, transforming the mixture into a velvety landscape. Season with whispers of garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until the sauce sings with flavor.

• Crab's Grand Entrance

Carefully fold tender crab pieces into the warm sauce, allowing their delicate sweetness to weave through the creamy texture. Heat gently to preserve the crab’s elegant character.

• Pasta's Final Waltz

Drape the luscious sauce over your pasta, ensuring each strand is kissed by the rich, luxurious blend. Serve immediately and savor the ocean’s gift on your plate.

Cooking Tips and Creative Add-Ons for Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

• Crab-Saving Sauce Secrets: When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to prevent sauce from becoming too thick or separating. This trick keeps your Alfredo silky smooth.
• Seafood Swap Magic: Replace crabmeat with shrimp, lobster, or even flaked white fish for a delightful protein variation. Each seafood option brings its own unique flavor profile to the classic Alfredo.
• Herb Garden Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, chives, or dill to elevate the dish's aromatics. Chop herbs finely and sprinkle on top just before serving for maximum freshness and visual appeal.
• Low-Carb Twist: Substitute traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter, gluten-free alternative. These veggie options provide a nutritious base that pairs beautifully with the rich Alfredo sauce.
• Leftover Love: Store remaining Alfredo in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Gently reheat on the stovetop, adding a little milk to restore the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent separation.

How to Serve Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Like a Pro

• Elegant Dinner Party Centerpiece: Elevate your meal by serving the crab fettuccine on a large white platter, garnished with fresh parsley sprigs and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese to create a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Seafood Lover's Pairing: Complement the rich crab fettuccine with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which cuts through the creamy sauce and enhances the delicate crab flavor perfectly.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side Dish: Add a light Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta cheese on the side to balance the richness of the Alfredo sauce and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta.
• Rustic Bread Accompaniment: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices alongside the dish to soak up the extra sauce and add a delightful textural element to your meal.

Storing and Reheating Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Meals

• Smart Portioning Strategies: Divide the crab fettuccine alfredo into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners during busy weekdays. Perfect for meal preppers wanting delicious, hassle-free dining options.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover crab fettuccine in airtight containers within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce and pasta separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess when reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm the pasta slowly in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to restore its creamy consistency. Stir gently to prevent breaking down the delicate crabmeat and ensure even heating throughout the dish.
• Freezing Considerations: While cream-based sauces can separate when frozen, you can freeze this dish for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat carefully, adding extra cream to revive the sauce's original smoothness.

Creamy Crab Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy crab fettuccine alfredo combines delicate seafood with rich parmesan sauce. Pasta lovers can enjoy this indulgent Italian-American classic that delivers comfort and elegance in one memorable dish.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) lump crabmeat
• 1 lb (454 g) fettuccini pasta
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
• ¼ cup (57 g) butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black or white pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook fettuccine until perfectly al dente, then drain while preserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce refinement.
2. Sauce Foundation: Melt butter in a spacious skillet, whisk in flour to create a golden roux, developing a robust base for the creamy Alfredo sauce.
3. Sauce Development: Gradually introduce milk and cream cheese, whisking continuously to create a velvety smooth texture. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, glossy sauce.
4. Seasoning Blend: Infuse the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, freshly ground black pepper, and salt, ensuring an even distribution of robust flavors throughout the creamy mixture.
5. Crab Integration: Gently fold delicate crabmeat into the warm sauce, heating carefully to maintain the meat’s tender texture and maritime essence.
6. Final Assembly: Toss fettuccine with the crab-enhanced Alfredo sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is lavishly coated. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Presentation: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a vibrant finish, then serve immediately to capture the peak of flavor and creaminess.

Notes

• Pasta Water Preservation: Save a small amount of starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, helping create a smoother, more cohesive dish.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter carefully to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky smooth base that will elevate the entire sauce’s texture.
• Gentle Crab Handling: Warm crabmeat delicately to maintain its tender texture and preserve the pure, sweet ocean flavor without breaking the delicate meat.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Incorporate cream cheese and Parmesan gradually, stirring consistently to achieve a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats pasta perfectly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg