This Crab & Basil Pasta combines sweet, tender crab meat with al dente pasta in a light garlic-lemon cream sauce, finished with fresh basil for a bright, elegant flavor. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s a restaurant-quality dish perfect for date nights or impressing guests!
Ingredients (Serves 2-3):
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz (225g) linguine or spaghetti
- 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup dry white wine (or seafood stock)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
- 8 oz (225g) lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions:
1️⃣ Cook Pasta:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce:
- Deglaze with white wine, simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in cream, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer for 2-3 mins until slightly thickened.
4️⃣ Combine & Serve:
- Gently fold in crab meat and cooked pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in basil, parsley, and Parmesan (if using). Season to taste.
- Garnish with extra basil and lemon zest.
Chef’s Tip: For extra richness, add 1 tbsp butter at the end!
