Crawfish Pasta

Name: Crawfish Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs crawfish tails (fresh or frozen, thawed); 1 lb pasta (fettuccine or penne); 4 tbsp butter; 1/2 cup onion, diced, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced, minced; 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced, diced; 2 tsp Cajun seasoning; 1 tsp paprika; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/4 cup green onions, sliced, sliced; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1/4 tsp salt

Tender crawfish in a spiced Cajun cream sauce tossed with pasta. Restaurant-quality dish with bold flavors, smoky spice, and luxurious sauce that's surprisingly quick to make.

35 minMediumServes 4520 cal/serving

CajunDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs crawfish tails (fresh or frozen, thawed)
1 lb pasta (fettuccine or penne)
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup onion, diced, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced, minced
1/2 cup bell pepper, diced, diced
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp paprika
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup green onions, sliced, sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 lb pasta (fettuccine or penne) according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2

While pasta (fettuccine or penne) cooks, melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3

Add 1/2 cup diced onion, diced and 1/2 cup diced bell pepper, diced and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
4

Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic, minced, 2 tsp seasoning, and 1 tsp paprika and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5

Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
6

Pour in 1 cup cream and 1/2 cup broth and bring to a simmer.
7

Gently fold in 1.5 lbs crawfish tails (fresh or frozen, thawed) and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
8

Stir in 2 tbsp lemon and adjust seasoning as needed.
9

Toss pasta (fettuccine or penne) with the crawfish sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
10

Garnish with 1/4 cup sliced green onions, sliced and serve immediately.

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Questions

What should Crawfish Pasta look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 7: cook until heated through.

Why save the pasta water for Crawfish Pasta?

Step 1 reads: "Drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water." The water is full of starch. Added back as step 1 directs, it emulsifies the sauce so it clings to the pasta instead of pooling in the bowl.

Is there a substitute for Cajun seasoning in Crawfish Pasta?

The entry for Crawfish Pasta calls for 2 tsp Cajun seasoning. In its place: Two parts paprika to one part each of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, oregano and cayenne, with salt.

Can I make Crawfish Pasta gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Crawfish Pasta is 1 lb pasta (fettuccine or penne). Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

How do I store and reheat Crawfish Pasta?

Refrigerate what is left of Crawfish Pasta within two hours and eat it within two days (seafood turns fast). Reheat gently on the stovetop. The pasta keeps drinking the sauce as it sits; loosen it with a splash of water or stock.

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