Indulge in the creamy, decadent flavors of this Crab Fettuccine Alfredo—a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home! Tender lump crabmeat is folded into a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine for a meal that’s elegant enough for date night yet simple enough for weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Ready in 30 Minutes – Quicker than dining out!
🦀 Premium Crab Flavor – Lump crabmeat adds luxury.
🧀 Creamy, Cheesy Sauce – Made from scratch (no jarred sauce!).
🍝 Perfect for Special Occasions – Impressive but easy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb fettuccine – Or linguine, tagliatelle, or gluten-free pasta.
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- ¼ cup butter – Salted or unsalted.
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour – For thickening.
- 2 cups milk – Whole milk recommended.
- 4 oz cream cheese – Adds extra creaminess.
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan – Pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley – Or 1 tsp dried.
- ½ tsp each garlic powder & onion powder – Or 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Salt & pepper – To taste.
For the Crab:
- 1 lb lump crabmeat – Fresh, canned, or imitation crab works.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Make the Alfredo Sauce
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute (don’t let it brown!).
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
- Add cream cheese, stirring until melted.
- Stir in Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Add the Crab
- Gently fold in crabmeat and heat through (2-3 mins).
4️⃣ Combine & Serve
- Toss pasta with sauce or plate noodles and top with sauce.
- Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan.
Pro Tips for the Best Crab Alfredo
🦀 Use High-Quality Crab – Lump or jumbo lump crab for best texture.
🍝 Reserve Pasta Water – Add a splash if sauce is too thick.
🔥 Low Heat for Crab – Prevents overcooking.
🧀 Freshly Grated Parmesan – Melts better than pre-shredded.
Serving Suggestions
🥖 Garlic Bread – For soaking up extra sauce.
🥗 Caesar Salad – Classic pairing.
🍷 White Wine – Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Storage & Reheating
❄ Fridge – Keeps 2 days (sauce may thicken—add milk when reheating).
⏳ Freezer – Freeze without crab (add fresh crab when reheating).
Delicious Variations
🍤 Shrimp Alfredo – Swap crab for shrimp.
🍄 Mushroom Alfredo – Add sautéed mushrooms.
🌶 Spicy Cajun – Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper.
Final Thoughts
This Crab Fettuccine Alfredo is luxurious, creamy, and packed with flavor—the perfect seafood pasta for any occasion!
Try it tonight and taste the elegance! 😋🍝🦀