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Close-up of creamy Cajun crab pasta on a light grey plate.

Cajun Crab Pasta: Flavorful Seafood Dinner

Indulge in a rich and flavorful Cajun Crab Pasta, a delightful seafood dinner that's both creamy and spicy. This dish combines tender crab meat with perfectly cooked pasta in a vibrant Cajun-spiced sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cajun
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 pound pasta (linguine or fettuccine)
Seafood
  • 1 pound crab meat, fresh or canned
Dairy
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
Oils & Seasonings
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (green or red)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. Gently fold in the crab meat into the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Stir in chopped parsley.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the sauce while it simmers.