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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Crab Integration: Gently fold delicate crabmeat into the warm sauce, heating carefully to maintain the meat’s tender texture and maritime essence.
- 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.
- 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