Crab pasta

It’s no overstatement to say this is one of the simplest and quickest meals you can imagine. Plus better yet, it’s also incredibly tasty. Today’s Sunday Supper theme is ‘five ingredients or less’ and I could think of no more perfectly fitting a main dish as this delicious crab pasta. Made simply of pasta, crabmeat, garlic, parsley, olive oil (or butter/ a combination) and optional red pepper flakes, it’s simple and delicately flavored, but makes a great meal. OK, I know that the red pepper knocks it into six ingredients, but it’s kind of a condiment so don’t know that it counts. For me, it’s worth making an exception for the nice little kick it gives.

We used to make this crab pasta when we lived in London and would get dressed crab from our local farmer’s market. I do like making it with dressed crab rather than just the white crab meat if you can get it, as the brown meat has a lot of flavor that is really great in there as well. Dressed crab also has that bit more ‘glue’ to stick to the pasta which works well, but either way is still really tasty. We used fresh crabmeat from our local fish market, but canned/tinned would also be fine.

How it’s made

It is, as I say, incredibly quick to make. You simply cook the pasta and cut up the parsley and garlic while you are waiting. Drain the pasta, gently cook the garlic in the oil/butter (I use the pan the pasta was in since it’s already warm) and then mix everything together. It’s super easy and ready in about 10 minutes flat. It’s a very fresh-tasting dish with delicate flavors, that’s perfect for this time of year. The red pepper flakes do add that little bit of heat/bite but as long as you don’t put on too much, it doesn’t take over and works really well.

I’ve said this recipe does 2-4 people as it will depend on your appetites – we seem to be gluttons compared to a lot of recipes I see and so we managed this between two of us. But I understand it would do three or four more normal people 🙂

Crab pasta is so easy and delicious, it’s definitely one to add into your meal plan for a night when you don’t have all that much time, but still want something tasty and homemade. It’s definitely going to be something we have again soon.

5 from 1 vote

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Crab pasta

A ridiculously easy and tasty combination.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 2 -4

Calories 311 kcal

Author Caroline's Cooking

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta 225g, recommend wholewheat spaghetti/thin spaghetti or linguini
• 8 oz crabmeat 225g, or one large dressed crab
• 1 handful parsley small
• 1 clove garlic or 2, depending on size (or more to taste - this isn't that strong)
• 3 tbsp olive oil approx, or butter/a mixture
• a couple shakes of red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions - would recommend slightly al dente.
2. Meanwhile, remove the leaves from the parsley and roughly chop, and peel and finely dice the garlic.
3. Drain the pasta and dry the pan then add 2 tbsp olive oil (or 1tbsp each of butter and oil) and cook the garlic for a minute until you can see it is softening but not browning.
4. Remove pan from the heat and add back the pasta, add the parsley and crab and a bit more oil and mix everything so the garlic, crab and parley are well distributed through the pasta. Add a little more oil if needed to loosen it.
5. Serve with a little red pepper flakes sprinkled on top (optionally).

Nutrition Facts

Crab pasta

Amount Per Serving

Calories 311 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 21g 32%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 47mg 16%

Sodium 1544mg 64%

Potassium 606mg 17%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 4g

Protein 22g 44%

Vitamin A 13.7%

Vitamin C 23%

Calcium 6.7%

Iron 11.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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