Jump to the Recipe

This easy crab carbonara pasta is equally appropriate for a simple weeknight meal or a date night at home.  Delicious egg and parmesan sauce coats the pasta, which is then tossed with sautéed 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, my work in the kitchen gets left in the dust. But usually, the break serves me well and gets my creative juices flowing again! The result of this break was this awesome new crab carbonara pasta recipe.

“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

Crab Linguine Carbonara 5

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 wanted a proper dinner, but we were out of groceries!

Crab Linguine Carbonara 7

I desperately searched my pantry and fridge. There was 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.

Crab Linguine Carbonara 6

It turns out that this linguine carbonara pasta is super easy to make. And the process is actually super fun, and a little strange.

I cooked the pasta noodles to al dente. Then, threw the hot noodles into a bowl with the raw eggs and Parmesan cheese. This makes a super-rich, super creamy sauce with NO CREAM. You seriously have to carbonara pasta a try.

Crab Linguine Carbonara 4

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! 

Crab Linguine Carbonara 3

This recipe is flexible to a degree! I want to make sure you feel empowered to substitute spaghetti or bucatini for the linguine. For the crabmeat, I included a modest amount considering that it is quite expensive to buy right now. Feel free to include up to a pound if you have it!

But, if you don’t have crab meat, don’t fear! You can go without. Traditionally, additional meat (besides the bacon) is not necessary. 

Crab Linguine Carbonara 2

So this meal, thrown together with odds and ends, is now “the best pasta I’ve ever made,” according to my husband, even better than my Spicy Cajun Pasta! My son tried this crab pasta and asked “More? Mama More?” Music to my ears! 

Crab Linguine Carbonara 1
crab carbonara recipe

Crab Carbonara Pasta (Linguine Carbonara)

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Author: Michelle Goth
Perfectly creamy pasta paired with sauteed peas, bacon, crab meat and spices.
4.68 from 50 ratings
Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 3/4 pound linguine
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 pound sliced bacon, diced, or pancetta
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup crab meat, leg or lump
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • 2 eggs, large
  • 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.
Serving: 1, Calories: 1218kcal, Carbohydrates: 138g, Protein: 52g, Fat: 48g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 271mg, Sodium: 1915mg, Potassium: 818mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1115IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 328mg, Iron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a review or share a photo on Instagram.
crab linguine carbonara pasta