Rich Creamy Crawfish or Shrimp Pasta W Cheese Sauce
Treat your taste buds to the ultimate comfort food with this Rich Creamy Crawfish or Shrimp Pasta in Cheese Sauce, a decadent dish that combines tender seafood with a velvety, three-cheese sauce. Perfectly cooked pasta—choose from fettuccine, linguine, or penne—is tossed in a luscious blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and parmesan, infused with the bold flavors of garlic, paprika, and a hint of optional cayenne for just the right kick. Succulent crawfish tails or shrimp are sautéed to perfection and folded into the sauce for a seafood lover's dream. This indulgent meal, ready in under an hour, is perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and serve piping hot for an unforgettable dining experience!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken or seafood stock
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb crawfish tails or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the crawfish tails or shrimp for 2-3 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a smooth roux. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and chicken or seafood stock, ensuring there are no lumps.
Lower the heat and add the cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Gradually mix in the cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese until completely melted.
Season the sauce with paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Add the cooked shrimp or crawfish tails to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce until well-coated. Heat over low for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4302 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 331.3 g | 425% | |
| Saturated Fat | 191.9 g | 960% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1535 mg | 512% | |
| Sodium | 6278 mg | 273% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 133.0 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.2 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.6 g | ||
| Protein | 165.7 g | 331% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 2144 mg | 165% | |
| Iron | 14.1 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 1669 mg | 36% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
