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Shrimp and Crab Pasta Made Simple: Tips, Variations, and Meal Prep

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This creamy shrimp and crab pasta is a rich and elegant seafood dish made with tender shrimp, sweet lump crab meat, and a luxurious Parmesan cream sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. It’s the perfect recipe for a cozy dinner at home, date night, or even entertaining guests. Balanced with fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs, this one-pan pasta offers restaurant-quality flavor with easy, approachable steps.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pasta:

  • 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • Salt, for boiling water

For the seafood:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ lb lump crab meat (picked over for shells)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Juice of ½ lemon

For the sauce:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Gently fold in the crab meat and lemon juice, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until heated through. Remove the seafood from the skillet and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon zest, whisking until smooth.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  7. Return the shrimp and crab to the skillet, gently mixing with the pasta and sauce. Cook for another minute to warm everything through.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh shrimp and lump crab for the best texture and flavor.

  • Swap in gluten-free or whole wheat pasta to suit your dietary needs.

  • Add spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes to increase nutrition.

  • For dairy-free, sub in coconut milk or cashew cream and skip Parmesan.

  • Reheat gently to maintain sauce consistency—add cream or pasta water if needed.

  • Pair with a crisp white wine and garlic bread for a complete meal.

  • Garnish with lemon zest and parsley right before serving for the best presentation.

Find it online: https://claradelish.com/shrimp-and-crab-pasta-made-simple-tips-variations-and-meal-prep/