Crab Spaghetti with Lemon & Herbs 🦀🍋 Bright, Delicate, and Packed With Fresh Coastal Flavor

This one’s a lesson in restraint — no cream, no cheese, no heavy sauces. Just sweet crab, silky olive oil, garlic, citrus, and herbs coming together in a dish that feels light, fresh, and quietly luxurious.

It’s fast enough for a Wednesday and refined enough for a dinner party — the kind of pasta that tastes like summer by the sea.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• 6 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of ½ lemon (or more to taste)
• ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• 6 oz lump crab meat (fresh or good-quality canned)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped chives or basil (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Reserved pasta water (¼ cup)
• Optional: extra virgin olive oil or lemon wedge for finishing

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil spaghetti in salted water until just al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Build the Base

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté garlic and chili flakes for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Add lemon zest and stir for 10 seconds to bloom the citrus oils.

Step 3: Add the Crab

Gently fold in crab meat and a pinch of salt. Warm through for 1–2 minutes, being careful not to break it up too much.

Step 4: Toss and Finish

Add the drained pasta, lemon juice, and splash of pasta water to the skillet. Toss gently until the pasta is coated and everything’s glossy and integrated.

Stir in fresh parsley and chives. Adjust with more lemon juice, salt, or black pepper as needed.

Drizzle with a bit of high-quality olive oil to finish, if desired.

Flavor Variations

• Make it richer: Add 1 tbsp butter before tossing the pasta
• Add greens: Toss in arugula, baby spinach, or asparagus tips
• Go garlickier: Add roasted garlic or garlic confit to deepen the base
• Swap the herb: Dill, tarragon, or mint for an alternate fresh note

Pro Tips

• Use lump or jumbo lump crab for texture — avoid shredded or paste
• Don’t cook crab too long — it’s already done; just warm it gently
• Lemon zest is the flavor driver here — use a microplane and go generous
• If using canned crab, drain well and pat gently to avoid watery sauce
• Taste and adjust before serving — this dish is all about balance

Final Thoughts

Crab Spaghetti with Lemon & Herbs is elegant simplicity — light but satisfying, subtle but vivid. It lets the crab speak for itself, with just enough citrus and herb to lift the whole bowl into something special.

Twirl it. Savor it. Let the lemon lead. 🦀🍋🍝✨

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.