Savory Michael Symon Crab Pasta Recipe with Sea Freshness

Michael Symon’s crab pasta transforms ordinary weeknight dining into a Mediterranean culinary adventure.

Delicate seafood mingles with velvety sauce, creating a symphony of coastal flavors.

Succulent crab meat and perfectly al dente noodles promise a gourmet experience that feels both elegant and comforting.

Each forkful carries the essence of seaside dining, transporting you to sun-drenched Mediterranean shores.

Professional techniques merge with home-style warmth, making this recipe accessible to passionate food enthusiasts.

The dish celebrates fresh ingredients and sophisticated simplicity.

Michael Symon’s Crab Pasta Ingredients

• Linguine: Choose fresh, high-quality pasta with smooth surface for better sauce absorption.
• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin olive oil for rich, authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• White Wine: Pick a crisp, dry variety like Pinot Grigio that complements seafood delicately.

• Crab Meat: Opt for fresh, lump crab meat with sweet, delicate texture and minimal shell fragments.

• Garlic, Parsley: Select firm, vibrant garlic cloves and bright green parsley leaves without wilting.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Choose dried, bright red flakes for consistent heat and aromatic punch.

Cooking Equipment for Crab Pasta

• Large Skillet: Wide, deep pan perfect for sautéing ingredients and combining pasta with sauce.
• Pasta Pot: Standard cooking pot for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
• Sharp Kitchen Knife: Essential for finely chopping garlic and fresh parsley with precision.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safe and clean ingredient preparation.
• Tongs: Helpful utensil for transferring pasta and gently mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for accurately portioning olive oil, red pepper flakes, and other seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and folding ingredients without damaging delicate pasta or seafood.

Instructions for Crab Pasta

Dive Into Seafood Pasta Delight

• Boil Pasta with Precision

Cook pasta just shy of package instructions, creating that perfect al dente magic. Your pasta should have a slight bite, promising a delectable texture.

• Craft Flavor Foundation

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet, sprinkling red pepper flakes and mincing garlic. Let these ingredients dance together, releasing their aromatic essence without burning. The kitchen will quickly fill with tantalizing scents.

• Introduce Wine Magic

Splash white wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and concentrate flavors. This liquid gold transforms the simple sauce into something extraordinary, creating depth and complexity.

• Merge Ocean and Pasta

Gently transfer pasta into the skillet, folding in fresh crab meat and chopped parsley. Each movement should be tender, ensuring ingredients mingle seamlessly. The goal is a harmonious blend that celebrates seafood’s delicate nature.

• Final Touch and Serve

Assess the sauce’s consistency, adding pasta water or extra olive oil if needed. The result should be a glossy, inviting dish that beckons to be devoured immediately. Serve piping hot, letting the flavors speak for themselves.

Extra Tips for Cooking Crab Pasta

Experiment with shrimp, scallops, or a mixed seafood blend to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.

Replace parsley with fresh basil, dill, or chervil for an unexpected aromatic twist that elevates the entire dish’s sensory experience.

When white wine isn’t available, use light seafood stock or dry vermouth to maintain the sauce’s complex depth and brightness.

Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to create mild, medium, or spicy versions that suit individual spice tolerance and family preferences.

How to Present Crab Pasta

• Serve with Crusty Bread: Slice a fresh baguette or rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious wine-infused sauce, enhancing every bite with rich, complementary flavors.
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the delicate crab and light garlic notes, creating a harmonious dining experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle additional chopped parsley or add a few basil leaves on top for a burst of color and fresh, aromatic finish that elevates the dish's presentation.
• Create Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pasta, providing a refreshing contrast to the seafood and wine sauce.

Storage Advice for Crab Pasta

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigeration Window: Consume seafood pasta within 1-2 days for optimal taste and safety, ensuring peak flavor and texture remain intact.
• Freezing Strategy: While possible to freeze, seafood pasta might lose its delicate texture. If freezing, use shallow containers and consume within 1 month for best quality.
• Reheating Technique: Gently warm pasta in a skillet with splash of olive oil, stirring frequently to restore moisture and prevent seafood from becoming tough or rubbery.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 2

Tangy Michael Symon Crab Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Silky Michael Symon crab pasta combines sweet Maryland blue crab with delicate linguine in a creamy sauce. Rich Mediterranean flavors complement perfectly balanced ingredients for an elegant coastal dining experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) crabmeat or 1 large dressed crab (good quality fresh crab)
• 8 oz (226 g) pasta (whole wheat spaghetti, thin spaghetti, or linguini)
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil (approximately)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) white wine (optional)
• 1–2 cloves garlic (or more to taste)
• 1 handful small parsley
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted boiling water, reducing cooking time by 1-2 minutes to achieve perfect al dente texture, ensuring a slight resistance when bitten.
2. Aromatic Base: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, infusing red pepper flakes and minced garlic, carefully sautéing to release their fragrant essence without burning.
3. Flavor Development: Deglaze the skillet with white wine, allowing it to simmer and reduce, creating a sophisticated flavor foundation for the sauce.
4. Pasta Integration: Transfer partially cooked pasta directly into the skillet using tongs, capturing some cooking water to help develop a luxurious, silky sauce.
5. Final Assembly: Gently fold in delicate crab meat and freshly chopped parsley, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and harmonizing flavors throughout the dish.
6. Sauce Refinement: Adjust sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water or a drizzle of olive oil, creating a glossy, velvety coating that beautifully enrobes the pasta and seafood.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than package instructions to maintain its ideal al dente texture, providing a delightful slight resistance when you bite.
• Flavor Building: Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes carefully in olive oil, releasing their aromatic essence without burning to prevent any bitter notes.
• Liquid Magic: Add white wine to develop a complex flavor base, allowing it to simmer and reduce slightly before incorporating other ingredients.
• Sauce Technique: Use reserved pasta water to create a silky, glossy sauce that perfectly coats each strand of pasta and binds the crab meat seamlessly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg