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READY IN 30 mins

Spicy Crab Pasta

Read Reviews (40)

"I made this up once when I was short on groceries. Surprisingly, it was super easy! The amounts for the spices are just my recommendation, but really it's just to taste." — BRIGHTEYZ

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Original recipe makes 8 servings Change Servings

1 (16 ounce) package dry farfalle (bow tie) pasta
1/2 cup butter
1 (6 ounce) can crabmeat, drained and flaked
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes, drained

1 1/2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste

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Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add farfalle pasta, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
Melt the butter in a separate pot. Mix in crabmeat and tomatoes. Season with red pepper, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir 10 minutes. Toss with cooked pasta to serve.

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PREP 10 mins
COOK 20 mins
READY IN 30 mins

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Although I made some changes due to either what I had on hand or personal taste, I'm still rating it a four because the basic idea was great and it gave me a good start. I just happened to have king crab legs in the freezer which I thawed, removed the meat and saved the shells to cook in the sauce. (which, by the way, gave the sauce an amazing flavor) Definitely did not see the need to even use butter, let alone that much of it. I simply sauteed onion, fresh garlic (no salt) paprika and red bell pepper in a bit of olive oil, added two cans of diced tomatoes along with the legs and let it simmer. Once done, I added in the crab meat just long enough to heat thru. I decreased the amount of red pepper flakes, but they really added just the right amount of spice to the dish. Thanks so much!

—LINDA MCLEAN

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Most Helpful Critical Review

May 15, 2006

We found this a touch on the spicy side. We would give this a '4' by cutting the red pepper to 1 tbsp (or less for bland palates) and adding a splash of balsamic vinegar just before serving. The balsamic really brings out the crab! If you like it hot, leave as is!

—HotRecipeMama

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56 Ratings

Mar 18, 2008

This will be on the menu a lot, a great light dinner. I did make a few changes; I used half the pasta (just 2 for dinner), fresh garlic (3 cloves), and only 2 TBSP of butter (and the red pepper flakes to taste - ie. definitely less then 1 1/2 TBSP!). We loved it made like this, but the sauce wasn't necessarily saucy, I don't know what it would have been like if I had used the recipes pasta amount. I did add about 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water when adding the crab tomato mixture to the pasta. Sprinkled a bit of parm cheese over the top. Delicious.

—ACG2377

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Jan 06, 2007

This is an easy and versatile meal that tastes great!! You can substitute the garlic powder for fresh garlic and add onions too. I also added extra tomatoes and a drop of olive oil.

—MCsLilCook

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Nov 09, 2009

I started off rating this a 4 and moved way up the scale to a 5! Use fresh garlic, tomatoe paste, extra tomatoes. Fresh basil and crab are nearly a must! I would recommend added the fresh crab towards the end of the cooking process. Let all of the flavors meld prior. This is sooooo yummy!

—KELLYCLARK22

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Feb 11, 2008

All I had in the pantry was half a package of angel hair, added diced white onion, fresh garlic, one can of tomato paste and sliced green onions for color. So delicious! Not too spicy for me, but taste as you go.

—DORITAC

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Feb 02, 2011

great! i added olive oil, fresh garlic, basil and a little old bay. less red pepper flakes too.

—jeshaka

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Jan 03, 2011

This was delicious! I have to watch my cholesterol, so I subbed E.V.O.O. for the butter, left out the salt, added chopped bell pepper, finely diced cilantro, and used minced garlic in place of the garlic salt. Oh, and I upped the amount of red pepper flakes, 'cause I like spice! Very well done, Brighteyz, thanks!

—MBKRH

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Nutrition

Calories
361 kcal
18%

Carbohydrates
46.1 g
15%

Cholesterol
49 mg
16%

Fat
13.4 g
21%

Fiber
3.4 g
14%

Protein
13.2 g
26%

Sodium
961 mg
38%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Spicy Crab Pasta

Serving Size: 1/8 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 361
Calories from Fat: 120

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13.4g 21 %
Saturated Fat 7.6g 38 %
Cholesterol 49mg 16 %
Sodium 961mg 38 %
Potassium 244mg 7 %
Total Carbohydrates 46.1g 15 %
Dietary Fiber 3.4g 14 %
Protein 13.2g 26 %
** Sugars 2.2g
Vitamin A 30 %
Vitamin C 9 %
Calcium 7 %
Iron 32 %
** Thiamin 30 %
** Niacin 44 %
** Vitamin B6 13 %
** Magnesium 13 %
** Folate 63 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.