Description
This Crawfish Fettuccine is a rich and creamy Cajun-inspired pasta dish loaded with tender crawfish tails, savory spices, and a luxurious cream sauce. Perfect for Mardi Gras, special occasions, or when you want bold Louisiana flavor at home.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken or seafood broth
- 12–16 oz crawfish tail meat, drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat. Cook 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Add Spices: Add Cajun seasoning, paprika, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in broth, then heavy cream to create a smooth sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Simmer for 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Incorporate Crawfish: Stir in crawfish tails and cook 2–3 minutes until heated through, careful not to overcook.
- Finish Sauce: Add Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon juice, stirring well to combine and enhance flavor.
- Toss Pasta: Toss cooked fettuccine with the creamy crawfish sauce until fully coated.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving for the perfect balance of flavors.
Notes
- Use Louisiana crawfish tail meat for the best authentic flavor.
- Do not overcook crawfish—they only need warming to stay tender.
- Add shrimp or crab to create a delicious seafood combo pasta.
- The sauce thickens as it sits; add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen.
- Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun / Creole
