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Spicy Crab Pasta in 20 Minutes

Savory Spicy Crab Pasta in 20 Minutes for a Perfect Date Night

This Spicy Crab Pasta can be made in just 20 minutes, perfect for any quick dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Tagliatelle or other long pasta
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil using a good quality oil enhances taste
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter feel free to use all olive oil for a dairy-free option
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced; fresh garlic preferred
  • 2 filets Anchovy optional for vegetarian diets
  • 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes omit for a milder flavor
  • 1 cup Lump Crab Meat for a cheaper alternative, use pre-cooked crab or shrimp
  • 1/4 cup Dry White Wine substitute with additional lemon juice or seafood stock if preferred
  • to taste Kosher Salt table salt can be used, but use a reduced amount
For the Brightness
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice juice and zest
  • 1/4 cup Parsley chopped; replace with fresh basil or chives
  • 2 tablespoons Dill chopped; omit if not available
  • to taste Capers omit if you prefer less saltiness
For the Creaminess
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan grated; nutritional yeast can be used as a dairy-free substitute
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream heavy milk or a dairy-free cream can be substituted

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the tagliatelle or your chosen long pasta and cook until al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, add extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add minced garlic, anchovy filets, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Gently fold in lump crab meat into the skillet and heat for 1 minute. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits. Season with kosher salt, then add drained pasta, lemon juice, and zest, stirring to combine.
  4. Add heavy cream and a splash of reserved pasta water, stirring over medium heat until the pasta is coated and the sauce reaches desired consistency. Adjust salt if needed. Garnish with parsley, dill, and capers before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Enjoy your Spicy Crab Pasta shortly after cooking for the best flavors and textures.

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