Simple yet elegant, this Crab Spaghetti is pure comfort food with a high brow touch—because who doesn’t find comfort in twirling pasta around the big old clumps of sweetly lush lump crab.
If there’s one thing you want to eat in it’s lumpiest form, it’s crab. Take my word for it.
Crab can sometimes feel a little intimidating to make. How do you cook it? How do you crack it? And doesn’t it take forever to get that meat out of those prickly sharp shells?
But in reality, whether it’s steamed in it’s long, lanky king crabby legs dripping with butter (this recipe is hands down the easiest way to fix it) or rolled into bite size appetizer bites like this, it’s incredibly easy to prepare.
Fear not, this Crab Spaghetti with Lemon Gremolata jumps from pan to plate in about a half an hour. And I have just the tip to make it as painless as possible to make cure your crabby cravings.
Butter, wine and lemon all combine to create a lush and flavorful spaghetti noodle coating that has just a touch of heat with a sprinkling of red pepper flakes.
Now those flavors aren’t hard to find in many a shellfish / pasta dish, but what makes this recipe especially indulgent is the addition of crunchy, garlicky bread crumbs with lemon and parsley that gives a deceptively luxe crunch to this pretty simple meal.
It certainly raises the bar when you talk about shellfish.
So how exactly do you go about getting that lumpity lump crab?
Well, you could cook yourself some legs like I did here, but what I like to do for the quickest and easiest dinner creating is to buy it already cooked, cleaned and ready to go. I don’t go for the aluminum tin can kind, instead I get this brand from Costco (it’s in the refrigerated foods section and is sold fresh) and it’s my hands down favorite.
Whether you cook it yourself or buy it ready to go, just make sure it’s jumbo for the best crabby flavor.
Get my Crab Spaghetti with Lemon Gremolata recipe and see the rest of my Go Bold with Butter recipes here.
Crab Spaghetti with Lemon Gremolata
Ingredients
For crab spaghetti
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup white wine Chardonnay
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- kosher salt
For lemon and garlic gremolata
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups fresh sourdough bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest from 1 medium lemon
Instructions
For crab spaghetti
-
Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1 cup cooking water.
-
In large pan over medium high heat melt butter in olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add white wine, lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer and cook for 8 minutes. Add lump crab meat and hot spaghetti and stir to mix well. Add 1/2 cup of Parmesan and kosher salt; toss. Add 1/4 cup of reserved cooking liquid at a time if the pasta needs more liquid. Top with Lemon and Garlic Gremolata and more Parmesan cheese and serve.
For lemon and garlic gremolata
-
In medium fry pan, melt butter over medium high heat. Add bread crumbs and kosher salt. Stir to combine in butter. Toast bread crumbs for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occassionally. Be careful so crumbs don’t burn. Remove hot bread crumbs from heat and add in garlic, parsley and lemon zest. Stir to combine and add to top of Crab Spaghetti.
Because I can’t ever say no to just one round of crab, here are a few more renditions to savor.
Creamy Tomato and Crab Fettucinne
Creamy, dreamy and totally lump crabbalini, this pasta rendition makes me weak in the kneesey. Recipe here.
Crab Seafood Macaroni and Cheese
High fives all around the table, with the husb declaring this recipe as on ready to go head to head with any seafood faring food stop in Boston. Recipe here.
Spicy Garlic Lump Crab Butternut Squash Pasta
Royal is as royal does. This one is the queen of the crop thanks to it’s low carb ‘noodles’. Recipe here.
Go ahead. Dig in.
This recipe was created in partnership with Go Bold With Butter where I am a paid contributor to their website. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you.
Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest? Thanks for reading and subscribe to FoodieCrush to have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Subscribe and have every FoodieCrush post delivered straight to your e-mail inbox
Nazia @ This Baker Girl Blogs says
March 3, 2014 at 12:43 amMmmm this just screams comfort! Love the flavours and it looks delicious :)
ibiza spotlight villas says
March 3, 2014 at 1:09 amAmazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a
entirely different subject but it has pretty
much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
heidi says
March 3, 2014 at 12:47 pmGlad you like it, and thanks for coming by.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
March 3, 2014 at 1:27 amSuch a gorgeous meal! Your noodles are just perfectly coiled and the images are just stunning! pinned
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
March 3, 2014 at 5:47 amHow you made ugly, lumpy crab so pretty is beyond me, but I love how this dish just screams comfort.
If you say carbs, I say YES.
Pinned!
heidi says
March 3, 2014 at 12:47 pmI say carbs, often and without reserve. :)
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
March 3, 2014 at 5:52 amMy boys love crab and I get mine at Costco’s too – they’d dig right into this Heidi!
ashley - Baker by Nature says
March 3, 2014 at 6:18 amNow THIS is what I’m talking about! All that crab and lemon! Yes, please :)
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
March 3, 2014 at 6:36 amYou had me at lemon! And crab! And “lumpiest form”! :) LOVE.
Sandy @ RE says
March 3, 2014 at 7:52 amLOVE! and pinned. Looks fantastic, Heidi and I love the crab/lemon combo!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
March 3, 2014 at 8:01 amThis crab spaghetti is calling my name. I might just not share the plate.
Kristen says
March 3, 2014 at 8:05 amOh I love love love this recipe. And I think Costco wins for seafood, at least when you don’t live near the sea. Thanks for the crab tips!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
March 3, 2014 at 8:09 amUntil last summer, I hadn’t really eaten much crab (this is lobster country up here). But I’ve found that it’s really delightful. Love how sweet the meat is. Ok. I just realized how dirty that sounds. Time for me to stop talking.
heidi says
March 3, 2014 at 12:45 pmI could listen to talk like that all day. I mean…you know what I mean.
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
March 3, 2014 at 9:58 amWhat a great new way to use crab in recipes. I love these ideas. These will be perfect when we want to go for less red meat in dishes. Thanks for sharing!
marla says
March 3, 2014 at 11:02 amLOVE this pasta Heidi!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
March 3, 2014 at 2:41 pmSuch an amazing weeknight dinner!
cheri says
March 3, 2014 at 3:06 pmOh this looks sooo good, making this!
Sylvia Ellie says
March 3, 2014 at 3:31 pmI remember going crabbing when I was young. We’d tie a chicken wing or neck to a string, drop it into the water, then slowly pull it up to see if crabs were eating on it. If they were, someone would grab the net and scoop them up. Missing those old days. Needless to say, I LOVE crab and your recipe sounds wonderful.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
March 3, 2014 at 4:40 pmThis is pasta perfect, love the crab + lemon gremolata!
Tieghan says
March 3, 2014 at 9:55 pmPasta perfection! This is a gorgeous meal, Heidi!
meg says
March 3, 2014 at 11:35 pmWoah! This looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it
bev @ bevcooks says
March 4, 2014 at 8:29 amOhhhhh my word. Yes. (and thank you!)
hotel nautico ebeso ibiza spain says
March 4, 2014 at 8:41 amThanks for finally talking about >Crab Spaghetti
with Lemon Gremolata <Liked it!
Kathy @ Olives and Garlic says
March 4, 2014 at 3:17 pmI can’t wait to make this dish! This is right up my alley Heidi.
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
March 4, 2014 at 3:18 pmI have never heard of gremolata before and I am sad because I could have been adding it to EVERYTHING!!! This looks like a dish that speaks to my soul. I cannot wait to try this!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
March 6, 2014 at 2:33 pmWhat a beautiful and elegant dish!
Skin Care says
March 7, 2014 at 7:41 amYou can also use it in your hair as a conditioner
for shiny and smooth hair. Organic products are produced naturally without
the use of any harmful chemicals that would otherwise affect your skin negatively, and sometimes
affect the environment negatively because they leave harmful by-products
as a result of their use in the production process.
But check out feedback from clients they have served.
Jennifer Smith says
March 7, 2014 at 9:26 pmPasta, the love of my life! It contains a lot of calories though. People who loves pasta and has slow metabolism just as I must make sure to burn those calories by committing to an exercise routine. As the Queen’s song goes, “too much love will kill you – every time”.
Thanks for the recipes Heidi!
skin care ideas says
March 18, 2014 at 8:43 amTight clothing won’t work because it can restrict the
process of toxin removal. Aloe contains grape acid,
sweet dew, a small amount of calcium and protein, vitamins and minerals.
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells helping to make your epidermis much softer.
best seo optimisation qualified professional Ireland says
April 24, 2014 at 12:04 pmEverything is very open with a clear description of the
challenges. It was truly informative. Your website is very useful.
Thank you for sharing!
Boca Raton CPA jobs in canada says
May 19, 2014 at 11:40 pmBut, to a trained cost accountant, it is a quick road map to help management analyze the business and
zero in on areas for improvement. We use only the best of encrypted technology to make sure there are no breaches of your private information. Other coins were surmised to have been issued by employers, noblemen and merchants for their private uses.
Hcg Drop Diet says
May 21, 2014 at 1:10 pmThis dilutes stomach acid, making meal digestion more difficult.
” Slimple’s
cheap js boutique dresses says
May 29, 2014 at 3:46 amIf or when your favorite game in your youth
was creating clothes for your toys as well as creating
creative changes in your very own apparel, then I think people such as you are absolutely those
which are destined to become a fashion designer. Instead try a nice pair of
wool or cotton chino dress trousers with a button down shirt,
sweater vest, tie, and sport jacket. Make room for your trendy new wardrobe by
going through your old clothes and getting rid of unwanted clothes.
Hector says
May 31, 2014 at 6:43 amWater is your organic cleaner so you should always be effectively moisturized.
Interestingly enough, pictures of her as a younger woman show that she’s
adorable, and post surgery she is just beautiful. There is one error: the sentence “The heir who wins the windfall will be the one who finds the.
5 seo tips for wordpress pdf says
June 18, 2014 at 9:42 amfantastic publish, very informative. I ponder why the opposite experts of this sector do not notice this.
You must proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
marketing agency delray beach fl says
July 23, 2014 at 12:06 pmYou can market your biz op after you build a relationship with them.
If they like what they read, they will often share it
with others, resulting in viral marketing. It is considered
good Twitter and social media marketing etiquette to follow
an account that follows yours. Social Networking facilitates meeting people for expanding business networking and marketing, asking for advice or referrals and doing online marketing
more intensely. Psychologist through out the United States has
raise a question linking some depression with social media in kids.
Internet marketing has flourished rapidly in past few
years due to the optimum increase in online shopping. This limits your viewership greatly, along
with no customer interaction whatsoever. One rule of thumb to avoid with social media marketing is
to not annoy your customers. There are thousands of monetizing methods; choose anyone that you’re comfortable
with. Notifications are part of your “facebook email system.
Boca Raton CPAt test ct says
August 12, 2014 at 1:30 amWhen using such a solution, you will be asked to talk about the events that affected you in the year, marriage, new baby, move to a
new house, started college, changed employment status, etc.
If you have received IRS tax notice, you need not to be panic.
Avoid hype or gimmicks and let people know exactly what
to expect and what they are required to do in order
to receive what they are being offered.
chloe sims human hair for weaving says
August 21, 2014 at 2:14 amAs you move closer to compliment her on her tan,
you notice that it is smeared in several places and is more of a festive orange than a sexy bronze.
This is a unique, dry-oil spray that absorbs quickly,
sealing in moisture and your new sunless tan. Why Sunless Spray Tanning is a Safer Alternative
During Pregnancy.
Facial plastic surgeon philadelphia says
September 14, 2014 at 12:35 amIt would help to talk about the operation with people that have had the same process done.
However, managing the nose will involve control the amount of cartilage and having it trimmed to the appropriate size.
Patients have rhinoplasty performed for many reasons.
uberstrike hack cheat engine 6.3 says
September 20, 2014 at 2:31 pmWhy viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world all is existing on net?
weight loss pills over the counter says
September 20, 2014 at 3:17 pmIf you have ever spent a day counting specifically how a lot of
calories that you have consumed that day, you might have
found it a daunting task and have been really surprised at the outcomes.
Attempt merely taking note of everything you eat in a notebook or spreadsheet.
Staci says
May 11, 2015 at 4:29 pmPicked up a few pounds of snow crab and thought we’d give this a try. OMG….. It was so good! The Lemon Gremolata is addictive. Thanks for sharing this lil gem. It has become a family favorite!
heidi says
May 13, 2015 at 7:09 pmHi Staci, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Genelia Santanelli says
August 3, 2015 at 12:26 pmHello! I just wanted to stop in and thank you for this delicious recipe! I prepared it for my family and our two out of town family guests and we all LOVED IT! It was filling and deliciously comforting!
For those who care to know, these are the only changes I made:
1) I scaled back on the lemon zest in the gremolata – only because I’m not a fan of too much lemon in my pasta dishes
2) I used French Baguette for my bread crumbs in the gremolata, because I am not a fan of sour dough bread
This recipe was simple and just delicious!!! I served it with a side dish of a nice size stuffed, oven – roasted branzino that we all cut into. Delicioso!
So happy I found this food blog. Namaste!
Borkai says
April 29, 2016 at 12:05 amMade this tonight and wasn’t going to do the Gremolata. Decided to go for it. Boy am I glad I did! The whole thing was extremely yummy! One thing I would add is more crab! Thanks!!
Jessyca says
May 18, 2016 at 8:07 pmDelicious and easy recipe! Thank you for sharing.
heidi says
May 19, 2016 at 10:00 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s so easy but elegant, one of my favorite kinds of recipe. :)
Court says
November 12, 2016 at 3:54 pmMade this a few times since I found the recipe over the past year and it’s amazing every time! We use the gremolata on our salad now too, it’s very tasty! Gonna try it tonight with some lobster tails I got on sale at WF, I’m sure it’ll be delicious again but can’t wait for dungenuss crab season to fully arrive for the holidays!
Loren says
December 18, 2017 at 8:12 pmI made this dish for my wife and I this weekend and I just wanted to thank you. It was so delicious! I had bought a pound of jumbo king crab legs at Costco (funny) before seeing your recipe. I had tried someone else’s recipe months ago for a dish like this and remembered how lovely it was. When I searched and found yours, I knew I Was on to something better and Glad to say my intuition payed off!
Others put pancetta in the dish which can be nice but here I feel it would be a distraction. Nevertheless, this dish rocks!!
Thank you so much.
Loren