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Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Sweet snow crab legs are tossed with linguine in a light and fragrant white wine garlic sauce. The perfect crab linguine in 5 easy steps.

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prep time10 minutes

Seafood makes me feel like I’m truly bringing a fine dining experience into my home. And while shrimp and fish are good, I love crab legs. If you’ve ever been intimidated by preparing snow crab at home, fear not! It truly could not be easier, and I have the perfect seafood pasta dish to prove it. This Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce will keep you coming back for more.

Ingredients

  • Linguine: A thicker noodle that pairs well with seafood dishes as it coats well in thinner, lighter sauces.
  • Garlic: Nutty and a little spicy, garlic naturally sweetens as it cooks and makes an excellent starter for any sauce.
  • Chili Flakes: Brings a bit of heat and deepens the flavor of the wine and garlic sauce.
  • Snow crab legs: Tender, chewy, and naturally salty, crab meat is one of my all time favorites.
  • White wine: Mild, dry, and a great pairing with seafood. I like to use something like Sauvignon Blanc for my sauce, but a chardonnay would also do well.
  • Lemon juice: Bright, fresh acidity that rounds out the sauce and brings out the flavor of the crab. Up the lemon taste by adding lemon zest as well!

How to Make Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce

Start your crab linguine by preparing your crab legs. Depending on how you bought them, cut them so they are separated and about 3-4 inches long.

Then cook your pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water. Cook until al dente, reserve some of the water, then drain and set aside.

Next, in a large skillet, sauté your garlic and chili flakes in the olive oil until aromatic.

Then add your crab legs and sauté an additional minute before using your white wine to deglaze the pan. Cover, and lower the heat. Let the crab steam for a couple of minutes until warmed through.

Now stir the cooked linguine into the pan as well as the reserved pasta water.

Add some fresh lemon juice to the sauce.

Season with some salt and black pepper, then stir to incorporate everything.

Finish your dish with freshly grated parmigiano reggiano (or parmesan cheese).

And freshly chopped parsley.

Crab linguine in a white wine and garlic sauce.

Serve warm, and enjoy your home cooked Crab Linguine with White Wine Garlic Sauce!

Change It Up

  • Change the protein. This dish would also be great with shrimp or scallops.
  • No wine? No problem. If you don’t keep wine on hand or don’t drink, you can use chicken broth instead for the sauce.
  • Make it gluten free. Swap out the linguine for your favorite gluten free pasta instead.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you have to cook snow crabs?

No. Since snow crab legs are always sold precooked, you literally just have to cook them until they are warmed through, about 3-4 minutes tops. The sweet and briny crab pairs perfectly with the dry white wine and fragrant garlic in this show-stopping Crab Linguine with White Wine Sauce recipe.

What’s the difference between snow crab and king crab?

The main difference is that snow crabs are smaller, with thinner, longer legs. They also have a thinner shell, making them easier to cook and crack.

How do I store leftovers?

Kept in an airtight container, this pasta dish will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Crab linguine with white wine garlic sauce.

Like It, Eat It, Share It!

Did you try this pasta dish? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

More Seafood Recipes

Liz eating crab linguine with white wine garlic sauce.

If you’re a seafood lover like me, then don’t be afraid to cook more of it yourself at home. My Crab Linguine is a great place to start.

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Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce?

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Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce

Liz Della Croce
4.48 stars average
Sweet snow crab legs are tossed with linguine in a light and fragrant white wine garlic sauce. The perfect crab linguine in 5 easy steps.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
CourseMain Dish
Serves4

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 ounces whole wheat linguine cooked according to package instructions reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 pinch chili flakes
  • 1 pound precooked snow crab legs cut into 3-4 inch pieces
  • ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth such as Sauvignon Blanc
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • minced parsley and parmigiano reggiano optional garnish

Video

Instructions
 

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, deep skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  2. Add chili flakes and crab legs to the pan and sauté an additional minute. Pour white wine into the pan to deglaze.
  3. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil then cover with a lid to allow crab legs to steam and warm through about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Toss in pasta along with reserved cooking liquid and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve crab linguine in a large pasta bowl and garnish with minced parsley and Parmigiana Reggiano to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.3g | Protein: 17.2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 1.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14.2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 397mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 0.3g

Have you tried my


Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.


4.48 from 85 votes (76 ratings without comment)

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41 responses to “Crab Linguine in a White Wine Garlic Sauce”

  1. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Super easy and good, but too much liquid for my tastes. I bought 1 lb of crab legs in the shell and removed the shells with 8 Oz of fresh linguine. For these, I would recommend 1/8 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of white wine, 1/8 cup of lemon juice and no pasta water. Delicious!

  2. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    Do you think it would be okay to cook the crab legs with the shells off in the recipe? This looks delicious but I’d prefer not to have to deal with the crab shells in the pasta.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You could, but the best way to remove the shells would still be to begin cooking them in the shells. Cook them for a couple minutes in boiling water, then remove the shells and you can add to the pasta dish.

  3. Ellie Bunting Avatar
    Ellie Bunting

    I will be trying this for Christmas Eve. We always do the Italian Feast of Seven Fish and use blue crabs with a red sauce. We live on Fort Myers Beach where Ian did major damage and we are afraid to eat the local blue crabs so we decided to try this for a change. Will let you know how it comes out.

  4. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Easy enough to make but honestly it wasn’t very flavorful. Probably wouldn’t use it again unless I was in a crunch for time.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Sorry you didn’t find it flavorful enough! I’d recommend using more garlic and chili next time to see if it packs more of a punch for you.

      1. Donna Avatar
        Donna

        Would this sauce work for a clams in garlic wine sauce? Friends make this combo and say it is so easy but I don’t run across a recipe.

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          Yes, you could probably make this with clams!

  5. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    We made this tonight. That was just a perfect meal. Thank you!

  6. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Followed the recipe as is (except I used regular linguine instead of whole wheat), and it was a HIT. Absolutely delicious and surprisingly easy. This is a crowd pleasure for sure! Great recipe for a special occasion, especially because it doesn’t require too much time or effort!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it Robin!!!

  7. Laurie Avatar
    Laurie

    Def a make again recipe! Had left over king crab and wanted to do a pasta with it. I sauteed’ some mushrooms first then followed the recipe. Added 1/4 block of cream cheese to the sauce. I used chicken broth cuz I didnt have any wine. Really good and will make again! Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So glad you enjoyed this Laurie!

  8. Poppy Dimery Avatar
    Poppy Dimery

    Delicious!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So glad you enjoyed it!

  9. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Jesus, would you get to the freaking recipe already? I hate it when people have to tell their entire life story before getting to the recipe, especially when it’s a simplistic recipe that includes crab shells.

    1. Amanda K Young Avatar
      Amanda K Young

      Then pay for a subscription service that doesn’t rely on ad revenue to pay content creators.

  10. Tory Myers Avatar
    Tory Myers

    We went to Seattle to visit my sister and got fresh crab there. Steamed them and put with this recipe. Let me tell you it was soooooooooo good! I’m not a seafood eater but this will defiantly be in our special recipe box FOREVER! Thank you so much!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh my gosh that sounds heavenly!! I hope you love it!

  11. Tracey Hostler Avatar
    Tracey Hostler

    Just made this dish for dinner but instead of snow crab legs I used jumbo lump crab meat & regular linguine instead of whole wheat. Delicious. Next time I would probably cut back a little on the lemon juice & add more garlic but it was a light tasting, delicious dish. Will definitely be making again.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      That sounds so good!! Love how you adapted it!!

  12. Shawn @ I Wash You Dry Avatar
    Shawn @ I Wash You Dry

    Such a gorgeous dish! My husband would LOVE me so much if I made him this! :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Mine went crazy for it!!

  13. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles Avatar
    Brenda @ a farmgirl’s dabbles

    I haven’t had crab legs in so long…this looks wonderful!!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I seriously want them again right now!

  14. Aggie Avatar
    Aggie

    I haven’t had crab legs in so long, this looks sooooo delicious!! I love seafood and pasta together.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Seriously so good!

  15. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Seriously, this looks amazing! I’ve been craving crab and now I have to go get some.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      haha yes you do!!

  16. Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen Avatar
    Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen

    I love how easy crab is to cook. What a beautiful dish!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It’s a total show stopper!

  17. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness Avatar
    Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness

    Crab and carbs. These two things in one sentence are music to my ears! I can’t wait to devour this for dinner TONIGHT!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      hahaha what’s better than crabs and carbs?

  18. gerry @ foodness gracious Avatar
    gerry @ foodness gracious

    two of my kids fav foods right here! They’d inhale this in a second :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I basically did just that – haha.

  19. Kat Meller Avatar
    Kat Meller

    now this one sounds wonderful.
    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Enjoy Kat!

  20. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain Avatar
    Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain

    You know I want a big bowl of this!! Love the crab legs!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I want to make this for you!! xo

  21. Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It Avatar
    Marina @ A Dancer’s Live-It

    Omg you gotta love crab! On Christmas Eve my family does the whole “seven fish” thing and we always have crab legs!! :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      YES!! My husband’s family does the Feast of the Seven Fishes as well!