Crab Carbonara Pasta
This easy crab carbonara pasta is equally appropriate for a simple weeknight meal or a date night at home. Delicious egg and parmesan based sauce coats the pasta, which is then tossed with sautรฉed bacon, peas and crab meat. We love this linguine carbonara!
Life has been so busy lately. We’ve had lots of visitors, and my husband and I have both had several work trips. When this happens, I fail in the kitchen. I fail big time. Yes, even food bloggers fail in their kitchens!
Having ingredients is crucial,ย and I’ve certainly been failing at that. Having a plan to use the ingredients is also essential,ย and so I doubly failed. What have we been eating?
That’s a good question, and honestly we’ve been so busy, that I don’t really remember. Some leftovers. Some takeout. Some freezer food I made a few months ago. And lots of snack food. Crackers, cheese and such.ย
I love to cook, and when I don’t have time to, it feels like something very important is missing. Last week, this pasta was a redeeming moment for me. A moment where I got back on the proverbial cooking horse, and rode off into the sunset. I was tired of not having a proper dinner, but I hadn’t been to the store.
“Hi Michelleโฆ. We just finished this AWESOME Crab Pasta Carbonaraโฆ.Thanks so much for this recipe. Best regards, Danny and Linda Craigโฆ.Vero Beach, Florida”
I desperately searched my pantry and fridge. I had bacon (yes!), eggs, pasta, cheese, frozen veggies, and a tin of crab claw meat. I’d eaten carbonara at restaurants before, but never made it at home. I knew the sauce was primarily made of eggs, but didn’t know exactly how.
It turns out that this linguine carbonara pasta is super easy to make. And the process is actually super fun. The hot, cooked noodles are thrown in a bowl with raw eggs and parmesan cheese. The temperature of the noodles cooks the eggs as you stir the noodles and get them coated. This makes a super rich, super creamy sauce with NO CREAM. You seriously have to carbonara pasta a try. I was fascinated.
Meanwhile, you saute the bacon and wine (that should have been the name of my blog). I threw in peas, which are somewhat traditional for this dish, and crab meat, which is decidedly not. The peas add a nice green color and a pop of fresh veggies. The crab meat added sweetness and extra protein, and fit right in!
If you don’t have crab meat, don’t fear! You can go without. Traditionally, additional meat (besides the bacon) is not necessary.
So this meal, thrown together with odds and ends, is now “the best pasta I’ve ever made,” according to my husband. I was surprised, because he REALLY loves my Spicy Cajun Pasta! My son shoved the noodles in, and asked for “More? Mama More?” Music to my ears!
Not sure where to buy crab meat? No worries! You can add it to your cart on Amazon here.
Crab Carbonara Pasta (Linguine Carbonara)
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound linguine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 pound sliced bacon cut into thin strips or chunks
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup crab meat leg or lump
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water for the sauce. While the pasta cooks, make the sauce.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Do not drain the skillet. Add garlic, wine and pepper. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to reduce the wine.
- Add peas, crab meat, and 2-3 spoonfuls of pasta water into the pan. Simmer for three minutes, remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper.
- Drain the pasta. While the pasta is still steaming hot, add it to the egg and cheese mixture. Stir well to combine, the heat of the pasta will cook the eggs and the egg mixture will stick to the pasta.
- Pour the bacon and crab mixture over the linguine and toss.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
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How many does this serve? It looks wonderful.
Hi Janet! It IS wonderful! One of my favorites on the site! It serves 2 to 3, truly I believe it’s 3 good sized portions!
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Hi Michelle…. We just finished this AWESOME Crab Pasta Carbonara….Thanks so much for this recipe. Best regards, Danny and Linda Craig….Vero Beach, Florida
Danny, you absolutely made my night. This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. I’m so glad you all enjoyed!
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Pasta Carbonara is one of my favorites but with crab I think it might be top of the list now! Thanks for linking up with Saucy Saturdays and I hope to see you next week with another great recipe!
Thanks Jennifer!
This looks absolutely delicious! ๐ Love Crab and then bacon too? YUM! Thank you so much for sharing this at #SaucySaturdays! ๐
I love pasta carbonara – so easy to make… (And I realize I ate it so much when I was single, I’m not sure I’ve made it since. Hmmm…) But crab sounds like a marvelous addition.
This is absolutely beautiful. I know it’s delicious! Crab is THE best, and goes well with some good carb-y pasta. Can’t beat it!
It is THE best. I feel like you can throw it into most anything when you have it. Love!!!
Michelle this looks totally awesome.
Thank you so much Peter!
Love pasta, will definitely try and make your recipe when crab is available!
I fail all the time! Honestly, I love to experiment so much that results in many fails! And, well, this kind of recipe just makes up for it, doesn’t it?
It sure does! I always wait for that redeeming moment. I’d say that I fail 1 for every 3-4. It’s usually edible, just not “blog worthy.” Thanks Nagi!
This recipe sounds delicious….I love that you added crab to the carbonara.
Thanks Sandi! It was a happy accident, really. Loved it.
I’m definitely making this at the shore this year. We always do a seafood night, and since I cook for 14 people, I’m always on the hunt for something that will feed and appeal to a crowd. This is perfect!
This would be perfect for a crowd! And fairly inexpensive for that big group!
This looks so delicious
Thank you Paul!
Thanks for sharing the recipe – I love that it looks so good and won’t take a long time to make. Pefect!
Thanks Jen!
It happens to all of us I guess: good thing there are so many left overs and that can be a stress reliever too….tomorrow is weekend, I hope you will get your much needed rest.
Absolutely. I took this afternoon off to catch up on housework so I could relax with the family this weekend. Planning to grill all weekend for easy meals! Thank you.
This recipe sounds delish! Heading to the beach soon where I can get my hands on fresh crab. I will be pinning this for later.
So jealous! Have fun!
This looks so good! Gorgeous photos.
Thank you SO much Marissa!