Crab Linguine with Lemon and Chili
In short: Linguine tossed with sweet crab meat, garlic, chili, lemon zest and parsley in a light olive oil sauce. A quick dinner that feels special. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 520 kcal
Crab and pasta need little more than olive oil, garlic, chili and lemon to taste their best. The sauce is built in minutes while the pasta cooks, and the crab goes in off the heat at the end so it only warms through and stays sweet and tender. Fresh picked crab gives the best flavor, but good canned or pasteurized crab works well on a weeknight. Add the parsley at the last second for color.
Instructions
- Boil the linguine in generously salted water until 1 minute short of al dente. Scoop out 250 ml (1 cup) of the cooking water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, warm the oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chili and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the wine and simmer for 3 minutes, until reduced by about half. Add half the lemon zest, the lemon juice, salt, pepper and half the pasta water.
- Add the pasta and toss for 1 to 2 minutes, adding more pasta water as needed, until the sauce is glossy and clings to the strands.
- Take the pan off the heat. Add the butter and gently fold in the crab meat, parsley and remaining lemon zest, just until the crab is warmed through, about 1 minute.
- Serve at once in warm bowls, with extra lemon and chili for anyone who wants more.
Tips
- Keep the crab off the direct heat. Long cooking makes it stringy and dull.
- A little brown crab meat adds depth to the sauce. Pasteurized lump crab also works, but drain it well.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen or canned crab?
Yes. Thaw frozen crab fully and drain it well. Canned or pasteurized lump crab is already cooked, so only warm it through.
What wine can I use in crab pasta?
A dry, crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well. Use stock and a splash of lemon juice if you prefer no alcohol.
How spicy is this crab linguine?
It is mildly spicy with one chili. Remove the seeds for a gentler dish, or add extra flakes for more heat.
How long does it take to make Crab Linguine with Lemon and Chili?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Crab Linguine with Lemon and Chili?
About 520 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 66 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 520 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
