Crayfish pasta

Tips: Make the best crayfish pasta

Here are a few tips to help you cook delicious crayfish pasta. We take you through how to prepare the vegetables and how to get the perfect smooth sauce.

Shred the carrots evenly

Use a potato peeler to shred the carrots into uniform, thin strips. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly and blend seamlessly with the tagliatelle.

Achieving a perfectly creamy sauce

To create a sauce that is both rich and light, mix crème fraiche with a little of the pasta's cooking water. The starch in the water thickens the sauce naturally, blending with the crème fraiche for a smooth consistency that wraps each tagliatelle.

Gently stir crayfish

After draining the crayfish tails, gently stir them into the sauce. They have a delicate texture, so do not break them apart during the process.

Discover our tasty recipe for crayfish pasta

Pasta and seafood have long been a delightful pairing deeply rooted in Italy's culinary traditions. Our crayfish pasta recipe takes simple yet well-picked ingredients and turns them into a sophisticated meal suitable for any occasion. Tender, sweet crayfish are tossed with spaghetti and carrots, all enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce. This dish is ideal for special events or weeknight dinners when you want to savour exquisite flavours without spending too much time in the kitchen.

For other easy pasta recipes, try the classic pasta carbonara, fried ravioli in tomato sauce, or the tasty spaghetti pesto.

With colourful carrot strips and delicate crayfish

The base of this dish features a delightful mix of spaghetti and carrot ribbons. Paired with the delicate and tender crayfish, the spaghetti and carrots create a delightful interplay of textures. Every bite is as exciting as the next, with sweetness from the crayfish and earthy freshness from the carrots. This meal masterfully blends contrasting flavours and textures, presenting a refreshing take on a classic pasta dish.

Creamy sauce with broth, crème fraiche, and sambal oelek

The warm and creamy sauce makes the dish come together. It binds the ingredients and coats the spaghetti and carrots in its silky-smooth sauce. By combining chicken broth with slightly tangy crème fraiche, the sauce gets a velvety texture with rich, savoury flavours. A bit of sambal oelek, an Indonesian chilli paste, is added to introduce a gentle heat. This subtle spiciness complements the creamy base beautifully without overpowering the delicate crayfish.

Serve with light sides

Enjoy pasta with crayfish as a delicious meal by itself or with lighter side dishes. Serve it with a big bowl of crisp green salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette dressing. The tangy freshness from the salad provides a wonderful counterpoint to the rich and creamy crayfish pasta. You can also add a selection of humble vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes to the salad. Complement the pasta with a rustic baguette or garlic bread, perfect for soaking up any remaining sauce. Also, consider steamed green beans tossed with butter for a crisp texture and a hint of sweetness or grilled asparagus, which provides a tender yet crisp contrast to the creamy pasta.

Get creative with the dish

Cooking is all about exploring flavours and ingredients that you enjoy, so do not hesitate to experiment with the recipe. If you prefer shrimp to crayfish, feel free to make that substitution. Shrimp offer similar sweetness and tenderness and pair well with creamy pasta dishes. Consider adding a handful of sun-dried tomatoes for an extra burst of flavour, or incorporate fresh herbs like basil alongside chopped parsley for a refreshing aroma. While sambal oelek adds essential heat to the dish, feel free to adjust the spiciness to suit your taste.