Shrimp And Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This Shrimp and Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta is perfect for any seafood lover! A light and delicious pasta that is a great twist on shrimp scampi!

A closeup of Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Shrimp in a black bowl

Shrimp And Crab Pasta

When it comes to seafood recipes, it can be difficult to find delicious dinners on a budget. That’s where my Shrimp and Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta comes in! Light and delicious, this is the perfect dinner for a hot summer day!

While many of us love a rich cream sauce with our shrimp or imitation crab recipes, those are more fitting for the colder weather. The best part about this tasty dish is that it is hearty and flavorful while not being overpowering and super filling. 

This seafood recipe is excellent for anyone, but pescatarians will love you for it in particular. It’s an easy way to get your seafood fix and the best part is that you can do it inexpensively. 

Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta in a white bowl

Recipe Notes:

  • Add as much or as little lemon juice as you’d like depending on your flavor preference. I use juice from the entire lemon. 
  • You can use garlic powder in a pinch, but I highly recommend using fresh garlic to get the flavor you’re looking for. 
  • For a little kick, add some red pepper flakes or chili flakes to the lemony sauce before adding your crab. 

A white bowl with Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta

How To Make Shrimp And Imitation Crab Pasta

Ingredients:
1/2 lb frozen shrimp, thawed with tails removed
1/2 package imitation crab meat 14 oz (using approximately 7 oz)
3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
1 fresh lemon
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 lb linguine pasta
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or green onions, finely chopped (optional)
Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta in a black bowl next to a white serving bowl with more

Directions:

Take out a cutting board and chop up your parsley. Push that to the side and then slice your crab into strips, along the grain of the pieces. Set those aside as well. 

Sliced imitation crab meat on a wooden cutting board for Shrimp and Imitation Crab PastaCook the linguine to al dente according to the package directions. Keep it warm after cooking and set it aside. 

A black skillet with melting butter and a small pile of minced garlicWhile the pasta cooks, take out a large skillet. Over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add your minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Stir and let it simmer for about 2 minutes.

A black skillet with melted butter and garlic and shredded imitation crab meatAdd the crab slices and mix them into the butter sauce until everything is warmed through.

Make sure that your large shrimp is thawed and all the tails have been removed. Add the shrimp to the shredded imitation crab and butter mixture.

Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta in a white bowlAllow everything in the large pan to heat through for approximately 3 – 4 minutes for best results. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp!

Transfer the tender pasta into four separate bowls. Spoon the shrimp and crab mixture over the pasta and drizzle any butter sauce left on top of the pasta.

A black square bowl of Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta next to a white bowl with more, a metal fork wedges of parmesan cheese, and a lemon wedgeSprinkle parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top of your shrimp and imitation crab linguine. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Can I Use Real Crab Meat Instead Of Fake Crab?

Yes! For this shrimp and crab linguine recipe I enjoy the sweetness of imitation crabmeat that you can’t always find with fresh king crab or snow crab legs, but the cost is another factor. You can easily pick up your favorite imitation crab when it’s on sale at the grocery store and keep it for when you’re ready. 

That said, you can use fresh crab meat, a can of crabmeat, lump crab meat, or imitation crab sticks. It is your choice. 

A black square bowl with Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta next to a white bowl with more

Can I Use A Different Type Of Pasta? 

Yes! We all have our favorite pasta dishes with our favorite pasta noodles, so it makes sense that you might want to switch things up. 

For this specific dish, which comes off as elegant even though it’s easy, you may want to stick with a longer noodle, like angel hair pasta. Short pastas will change the appearance, but something like medium pasta shells or elbow noodles may be easier for little fingers. 

A black square bowl of Shrimp and Crab Pasta in front of a white bowl of more with a metal spoon

Can I Add Any Vegetables To This Tasty Crab Pasta Recipe?

You will want to be careful to maintain the flavors of this light main dish, but I have had people mention a few vegetables that they have added to the original recipe. A few popular options are red onions, cherry tomatoes, and red bell pepper. 

Are You Looking For Another Tasty Pasta Dish? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

Bruntmor Large Ceramic 5.5Bruntmor Large Ceramic 5.5Bruntmor Large Ceramic 5.5Amazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware Set, Pots and Pans - 8-Piece SetAmazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware Set, Pots and Pans – 8-Piece SetAmazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware Set, Pots and Pans - 8-Piece SetT-fal Specialty 3 PC Initiatives Nonstick Inside and Out, 8T-fal Specialty 3 PC Initiatives Nonstick Inside and Out, 8T-fal Specialty 3 PC Initiatives Nonstick Inside and Out, 8OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon SetOXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon SetOXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon SetM KITCHEN WORLD Silicone Spatula for Cooking 4 Pieces - Rubber Spatulas Heat Resistant, Baking Spatula Scraper, Spatula Set for Nonstick Cookware, Dishwasher Safe Kitchen Utensils for Mixing - OrangeM KITCHEN WORLD Silicone Spatula for Cooking 4 Pieces – Rubber Spatulas Heat Resistant, Baking Spatula Scraper, Spatula Set for Nonstick Cookware, Dishwasher Safe Kitchen Utensils for Mixing – OrangeM KITCHEN WORLD Silicone Spatula for Cooking 4 Pieces - Rubber Spatulas Heat Resistant, Baking Spatula Scraper, Spatula Set for Nonstick Cookware, Dishwasher Safe Kitchen Utensils for Mixing - OrangePlastic Cutting Board, Set of 4 with Storage Stand, Color Box Packed, BPA-Free, Preventing Cross-contamination of Different Food Types, Dishwasher SafePlastic Cutting Board, Set of 4 with Storage Stand, Color Box Packed, BPA-Free, Preventing Cross-contamination of Different Food Types, Dishwasher SafePlastic Cutting Board, Set of 4 with Storage Stand, Color Box Packed, BPA-Free, Preventing Cross-contamination of Different Food Types, Dishwasher Safe

 

Yield: 4 Servings

Shrimp And Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta

Seafood Lemon Garlic Pasta in a black bowl

This Shrimp and Imitation Crab Lemon Garlic Pasta is perfect for any seafood lover! A light and delicious pasta that is a great twist on shrimp scampi!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb frozen shrimp, thawed with tails removed
  • 1/2 package Imitation Crab (using approximately 7 oz)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 fresh lemon
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 lb linguine pasta
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Instructions

  1. Take out a cutting board and chop up your parsley. Push that to the side and then slice your crab into strips, along the grain of the pieces. Set those aside as well.
  2. Cook the linguine according to the instructions on the package. Keep it warm after cooking.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, take out a large saucepan. Melt the butter and add your minced garlic, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Stir and let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the crab slices and mix them into the butter sauce until everything is warmed through.
  5. Making sure that your shrimp is thawed and all the tails have been removed, add the shrimp to the crab and butter mixture. Allow everything to heat through for approximately 3 - 4 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp!
  6. Transfer the pasta into four separate bowls. Spoon the shrimp and crab mixture over the pasta and drizzle any butter sauce left on top of the pasta.
  7. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top of the entire dish. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 476Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 801mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 21g
Two pictures of Lemon Garlic Seafood Pasta

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *