Best Shrimp Or Crawfish Pasta Recipes

ORIGINAL CRAWFISH OR SHRIMP MONICA

Steps:

• 1. Cook pasta in salt water according to the directions on the package. Drain, then rinse under cool water to stop the cooking. Drain again, thoroughly.
• 2. Melt the butter in a large skillet and saute onions and garlic for 3 minutes.
• 3. *If using raw shrimp, add them with the onions and garlic at the beginning.
• 4. Add the crawfish and half-and-half, sauté until bubbly.
• 5. Add Creole seasoning - 1 big pinch then taste. Add more as needed but tasting before adding the next pinch until you think it's right. Add salt if needed. If you've boiled your own crawfish add the crawfish fat to the mixture as well.
• 6. Cook for 5 - 10 minutes over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
• 7. Add the pasta to the pot and toss well. You may not need to use all of the pasta. (I double the recipe when using the whole pound of pasta.) Let it sit for about 10 minutes over very low heat, stirring often.
• 8. Serve immediately, with lots of French bread and a nice white wine. Buon Appetito!
• 9. *COOKS NOTE: Most of the time I use half Heavy Cream and half - Half and Half, or in other words 1 1/3 cups heavy cream and 2/3 cups milk. I generally buy Heavy Cream because it can be cut with milk to make Half and Half. The sauce seems to thicken better than straight Half and Half but using all Heavy Cream is too thick.
• 10. *Tip: The sauce is excellent over Redfish on da Half Shell or grilled filets - I call it Redfish Monica.
• 11. *Options: If you don't have crawfish, use bay scallops, shrimp, lump crabmeat (add last and fold in gently).

CRAWFISH AND CREAM OVER PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Return to the pot and toss with the olive oil and reserved cooking liquid. Cover to keep warm.
• In a large saute pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, Essence, salt, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook over high heat until nearly all evaporated. Add the cream lemon juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced. Add the crawfish tails and cook, stirring, to warm through. Add the onions and parsley and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Cook until the pasta is warmed through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add 1/2 cup of the cheese.
• Turn out into a serving bowl and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Serve.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

SHRIMP & CRAWFISH PASTA

Steps:

• Saute garlic in olive oil for 1 minute.
• Add Scallions & Cajun seasoning - saute for 1 minute.
• Add Cream and most of the can of chicken broth - Simmer 5 minutes (Note: the amount of chicken broth determines how thin you like your sauce).
• Add Worcestershire, Tabasco, 1/4 cup cheese, shrimp & crawfish - simmer 5 minutes.
• Spoon over cooked Linguini.
• Top with 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.

RICH & CREAMY CRAWFISH OR SHRIMP PASTA W/ CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Chop the green onions (as much as you like--I usually just use a handful).
• Open the cheese and slice it in as many pieces as possible so it can melt easily.
• Set onions and cheese aside separately.
• It is a good idea at this point to start a large pot of boiling water, and it should be boiling by the time the sauce is done.
• To make the sauce: Melt stick of butter in a large skillet on medium heat.
• Add chopped onions.
• Simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions look nicely cooked.
• Add the package of crawfish and let simmer for another few minutes.
• Add the cheese, and once it has started to melt, add the can of soup.
• Dash of salt if desired.
• You can turn the heat up to medium hi.
• Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted.
• If it is too thick, milk can be added to thin it out.
• Cover and turn heat back down to low.
• Stir occasionally so the sauce does not stick.
• Now just boil the pasta according to the package instructions.
• Sauce can be served over the pasta or mixed inches.
• If there are leftovers, I usually store it all mixed together.
• It reheats better that way.