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+ servings
Ainseanlea @ The Stush Kitchen

Easy Classic Basil Pesto with Pappardelle Pasta & Crab

Classic pesto sauce made with Genovese basil paired with lump crab meat and pappardelle pasta!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
 

Pesto Sauce (9 ounces)
Pasta
  • 9 oz pappardelle pasta
  • 8 oz lump crab meat flaked/shredded
  • 1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
  • dash cayenne pepper optional
  • parmesan cheese optional for grating on finished dish

Equipment

  • 1 blender
  • 1 pan
  • 1 medium bowl

Method
 

Pesto Sauce
  1. Blanch basil leaves, submerging in boiling water for 20-30 seconds then immediately submerging in ice cold water.
  2. Remove basil from cold water and squeeze excess water out with hands.
  3. Add basil, pine nuts, garlic cloves, olive oil and salt along with 2 ice cubes and blend until smooth. This could take 2-4 minutes depending on the power of your blender.
  4. Add pecorino and parmesan to blender and blend for another 5-15 seconds until combined smooth.
Pasta
  1. Combine crab meat with Old Bay seasoning & cayenne pepper in a bowl and set aside.
  2. Prepare pasta according to manufacturer's instructions and reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  3. In a pan over low heat add pasta, 4 ounces of pesto sauce and crab meat and toss with tongs. Add a little of your reserved pasta water to help thin the sauce and allow it to spread evenly.
  4. Remove from heat and enjoy with freshly grated parmesan!

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