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This crawfish fettuccine recipe puts a twist on creamy Alfredo sauce with spicy Cajun flavors, crawfish, and Velveeta cheese. It’s a pasta for Mardi Gras!
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Let’s make fettuccine Alfredo Cajun-style with this crawfish fettuccine recipe.
This creamy pasta dish is a delicious fusion of creamy, cheesy Alfredo and spicy, smoky Cajun flavors. With plenty of crawfish and cheese, every bite will make you feel like you’re in the French Quarter.
And don’t worry if you have no fresh crawfish or leftover crawfish boil. You can easily make this crawfish Velveeta fettuccine whenever you want because it uses frozen crawfish.
It’s also very welcoming for customizations, so you can swap or add whatever you like to this dreamy delight.
What Is Crawfish Fettuccine?
This crawfish fettuccine recipe puts a twist on a beloved classic with bold but comforting Cajun flavors. It’s like fettuccine Alfredo meets crawfish boil!
The result is a creamy, cheesy, and spicy pasta dish that’s perfect for Mardi Gras and, to be honest, any occasion. Cajun crawfish fettuccine is definitely one of those pasta dishes that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
If you’re bored with regular fettuccine Alfredo, let crawfish and Cajun seasonings give your tastebuds the excitement they’re looking for.Â
And don’t wrinkle your nose with the thought of using Velveeta cheese. You can say what you want about processed cheese, but it gives this crawfish pasta so much flavor.
You’ll also use frozen crawfish for this recipe, so it won’t matter whether it’s crawfish season or not.
Why You’ll Love This Crawfish Fettuccine Recipe
- Adjustable: Leftover crawfish from crawfish boil? Frozen crawfish tails? Fresh crawfish? It doesn’t matter. You can use whatever kind of crawfish you have for this crawfish fettuccine recipe. And if you don’t have fettuccine or Velveeta cheese, you can easily substitute them!
- Something New: The cheesy sauce with just the right amount of heat in this crawfish Velveeta fettuccine will reignite your love for fettuccine if you’ve been bored with the classic Alfredo. The bold twist on a comforting classic creates an unforgettable dish.
- Perfect For Special Occasions: Special occasions call for special recipes. And if you don’t have a main dish yet, consider Cajun crawfish fettuccine a must-have in your cooking repertoire.
What Does Fettuccine with Crawfish Taste Like?
Fettuccine with crawfish is a delicious combination of cheesy, spicy, and smoky flavors. You also won’t miss out on the aromatic “Holy Trinity” of Cajun cooking: celery, onion, and bell pepper in this creamy pasta dish.
If you love indulgent pasta sauces, crawfish fettuccine does not fall short on richness. It’s made with Velveeta cheese, half and half, and sour cream.
Just imagine al dente fettuccine cloaked in this dreamy sauce. Yum! ?
Then, cutting through the rich, cheesy flavor is the heat from Cajun seasoning.
Finally, the main meat of this dish is crawfish tails, which, if you haven’t had them before, are like a cross between crab and shrimp. Just make sure not to overcook them so they won’t fall apart and disappear into the sauce.
To know more about this Southern favorite, read what does crawfish taste like.Â
Ingredients For Cajun Crawfish Fettuccine
- Fettuccine – You can also use other types of pasta! I suggest choosing wide or twisted pasta shapes so they can really hug the creamy Cajun crawfish sauce. I personally like farfalle.Â
- Unsalted butter – We can’t make this “fettuccine Alfredo with a twist” without a rich, velvety base.Â
- Red bell pepper – Our crawfish fettuccine recipe will, of course, have the “Holy Trinity” of bell pepper, celery, and onion.Â
- Celery – Another part of this dish’s “savory backbone.”
- Onion – Yellow onion’s mild flavor works well for this Cajun crawfish fettuccine.Â
- Garlic – We’ll also include garlic in the rich, cheesy sauce.Â
- Frozen crawfish – Make crawfish Velveeta fettuccine any time of the year with frozen crawfish!
- Cajun seasoning – Gives our creamy crawfish pasta an irresistible kick. You can also use Creole seasoning.
- Ground black pepper – Feel free to add hotter peppers if you want your crawfish fettuccine extra spicy.
- All-purpose flour – To help thicken the cheese sauce.Â
- Half and half – Instead of heavy cream, we’ll use half and half on this crawfish fettuccine recipe. The great thing about half and half is that you don’t need to worry about the sauce turning grainy or separating!Â
- Sour cream – Sour cream’s tartness balances the richness of the sauce.Â
- Velveeta cheese – You can also use another type of cheese, but trust me on this one.Â
- Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan cheese to melt better into the flavorful sauce.
- Green onions – Save some extra for garnish.Â
- Parsley – Adds a pop of color and freshness to the creamy and spicy crawfish pasta dish.Â
Tools Needed To Prepare Crawfish Velveeta Fettuccine
- Pot for cooking the pasta
- Strainer for straining the pasta
- Dutch oven for cooking the sauce
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Crawfish Pasta
Crawfish substitute
Can’t get your hands on fresh or frozen crawfish tails? You can easily swap it with shrimp, lobster, or scallops for this crawfish fettuccine recipe!
Cayenne pepper
The rich and cheesy sauce calls for more heat. If you also like extra spicy things, you can add cayenne pepper to the mixture. ?
Add-ins
Looking for more meaty textures in your crawfish pasta? Add smoked sausage slices and mushrooms to the sauce.Â
How to Make Homemade Crawfish Fettuccine
Ingredients:
- 1 16-oz pack fettuccine
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 celery, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb frozen crawfish, thawed
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
Tools you need:
Instructions:
STEP 1: Let’s gather all the ingredients for this crawfish fettuccine recipe.
STEP 2: Cook pasta to al dente using the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
STEP 3: Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, celery, and onion, and cook for about 5 minutes or until the veggies are soft.
STEP 4: Add the minced garlic and cook for a few more minutes.
STEP 5: Add the crawfish and seasonings. Cook for 3 minutes or until the crawfish meat is heated through and the flavors meld.
STEP 6: Stir in the flour and cook for a minute until it’s incorporated into the sauce.
STEP 7: Add the half and half and bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir the mixture frequently.
STEP 8: Add the sour cream, Velveeta, and parmesan. Cook until the cheeses are melted, stirring continuously.
STEP 9: Add the cooked pasta, green onions, and parsley. Toss everything together.
STEP 10: Once everything is well combined, remove from the heat. Serve and enjoy your cajun crawfish fettuccine!
What to Serve with Crawfish Fettuccine
Serve your crawfish fettuccine with a light salad to contrast its richness! I think a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil over leafy greens, tomatoes, olives, some mangoes, and walnuts for some crunch will be perfect.
Bacon-wrapped asparagus will also make an amazing side to this spicy and cheesy pasta dish.
But if you ask me, the creamy sauce is just begging for crackers and crusty French bread slices.Â
And for dessert, lemon bars paired with Sauvignon Blanc are the best way to end this meal.Â
Tips About Making This Crawfish Fettuccine Recipe
- Got crawfish boil leftovers? You can use the meat for this crawfish fettuccine recipe!
- Reserve some pasta cooking water and add it to the mixture! The starch in the pasta cooking water will help the delicious sauce adhere to the fettuccine pasta better.
- Another way to serve crawfish fettuccine is to transfer it to a greased casserole, top with bread crumbs and more parmesan for a crunchy crust, and bake until golden.Â
How To Store Crawfish Velveeta Fettuccine
- Fridge: For leftover crawfish Velveeta fettuccine, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze the crawfish pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating:Â To reheat, I prefer just using a skillet over medium-low heat until the pasta is heated through.Â
How to Prepare Crawfish Tails
Using frozen crawfish helps us shortcut our way to this delicious crawfish fettuccine recipe.
Just make sure to thaw the tails in the fridge overnight before using them.
And besides using them in a creamy pasta dish, you can also boil, bake, or grill crawfish tails.
Boiling is the easiest way to cook them, but you don’t want to overcook the crawfish tails. Once the water has come to a rolling boil, add the crawfish and cook the tails for 5 to 7 minutes.
Where to Buy Frozen Crawfish
This creamy crawfish fettuccine dish calls for frozen crawfish, so you can make it year-round.
You should be able to find frozen crawfish meat in your grocery’s seafood section or local fish markets. For convenience, you can also order frozen crawfish on Amazon and Walmart.
But if you really prefer fresh crawfish, expect that their peak availability is between March and April.
FAQ About Crawfish Pasta
Can you freeze crawfish fettuccine?
Yup! After it cools down, transfer your crawfish fettuccine into a freezer-safe container, and it should keep well for up to 3 months.
What kind of crawfish to use for crawfish pasta?
You can use frozen or fresh crawfish! Frozen crawfish will just be more accessible year-round so that you can make this crawfish dish whenever you want.
How should you prepare crawfish for crawfish pasta?
If using frozen crawfish tails, thaw them in the fridge overnight for cooking the next day. They’re already cleaned and cooked, so you only need to add them to the sauce. If you only have access to frozen whole crawfish, prepare it as you would with shrimp: remove the heads and twist off the tail shells.
How long can you keep frozen crawfish tails?
Cooked frozen crawfish tails should last in your freezer for about 3 months.
Can I use shrimp instead of crawfish for this crawfish fettuccine recipe?
Yup! It’s the best substitute if you don’t have crawfish tails. Saute shrimp in butter and seasonings for a minute on each side before adding them to the sauce to finish cooking.
Crawfish Fettuccine Recipe
This crawfish fettuccine recipe puts a twist on creamy Alfredo sauce with spicy Cajun flavors, crawfish, and Velveeta cheese. It's a pasta for Mardi Gras!
Ingredients
- 1 16-oz pack fettuccine
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 celery, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb frozen crawfish, thawed
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Let's gather all the ingredients for this crawfish fettuccine recipe.
- Cook pasta to al dente using the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, celery, and onion, and cook for about 5 minutes or until the veggies are soft.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the crawfish and seasonings. Cook for 3 minutes or until the crawfish meat is heated through and the flavors meld.
- Stir in the flour and cook for a minute until it's incorporated into the sauce.
- Add the half and half and bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir the mixture frequently.
- Add the sour cream, Velveeta, and parmesan. Cook until the cheeses are melted, stirring continuously.
- Add the cooked pasta, green onions, and parsley. Toss everything together.
- Once everything is well combined, remove from the heat. Serve and enjoy your cajun crawfish fettuccine!
Notes
- If you have leftover crawfish from a crawfish boil, you can also use the meat for this crawfish fettuccine recipe for extra flavor.Â
- You can reserve some of the pasta cooking water and add that to the Dutch oven when you toss everything together. The starch in the water where you cooked the pasta can help the sauce adhere to the fettuccine better.
- If you like your pasta with extra crunch, transfer the crawfish fettuccine into a greased casserole, top with bread crumbs and more parmesan, and bake until golden on the edges.Â
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 1023mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 28g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
This crawfish fettuccine recipe will let the good times roll with its delicious fusion of creamy Alfredo and bold Cajun flavors!
It’s a rich and cheesy pasta dish with just the right amount of heat to keep you coming back for more.
You can also make crawfish fettuccine year-round since it’s made with frozen cooked crawfish tails. But if you have leftovers from crawfish boil, they’ll be perfectly tasty for this creamy pasta dish.
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