Creamy Crawfish Fettuccine with Garlic and Parmesan

During crawfish season we like to get creative with recipes, and this cheesy, Cajun-spiced Crawfish Fettuccine is no exception. It’s rich, comforting, and a great way to use leftover crawfish tails.

close up of a skillet of crawfish fettuccine
Crawfish Fettuccine Recipe

While this dish is a favorite during crawfish season, using frozen crawfish makes it easy to prepare year-round.

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What makes this recipe so yummy

  • If you love pasta, this combines a creamy, cheesy sauce with well-seasoned crawfish for a comforting, satisfying meal.
  • The combination of Velveeta-style cheese, Creole seasoning and a touch of heat creates bold Cajun flavors.
  • It’s a perfect dish for Mardi Gras or any festive gathering.
  • Special enough for guests but simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
  • This Cajun crawfish pasta is family-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

Groceries you’ll need: Ingredients

ingredients needed for a crawfish fettuccine all arranged nicely and laid out with names typed

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

Overview of the steps — full details are in the recipe card below.

A large pot of water being boiled with some seasoning.
Step 1: Add seafood seasoning (crab boil) to a pot of water and bring to a boil.
Cooked Fettuccine in a pot with a pasta spoon.
Step 2: Cook the fettuccine until al dente, drain and reserve some pasta water.
A skillet with a stick of butter.
Step 3: Melt butter in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
A skillet with melted butter and onions.
Step 4: Sauté shallots and garlic until translucent.
A skillet with some cheese sauce added with some tomatoes.
Step 5: Add cream of chicken soup, Creole seasoning, diced tomatoes with chiles and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a simmer.
Cubes of velveeta added to a skillet making a cheese sauce.
Step 6: Stir in cubed Velveeta until smooth and fully incorporated.
Crawfish tails and chopped green onions in a skillet with a cheesy sauce.
Step 7: Add cooked crawfish tails and green onions; cook briefly to warm through.
Cooked fettuccine added to a crawfish cheese sauce.
Step 8: Toss the cooked fettuccine into the sauce, cover with foil and finish in a preheated 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Hint: Adding seafood seasoning to the pasta water adds depth to the final dish.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Pasta – Fettuccine is traditional here, but bowtie, penne, or linguine work well too.
  • Roux or Cream – If you prefer, substitute a light roux or heavy cream for the cream-of-soup base; adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Shrimp – Swap in shrimp or use half shrimp, half crawfish for variety.
  • Onions – Use yellow or sweet onion instead of shallots for a stronger onion flavor.
  • Cajun vs Creole – Cajun seasoning can be used interchangeably with Creole in this dish.
  • Smoked Sausage – Add sliced smoked sausage for extra heartiness.
  • Milder Tomatoes – Choose mild diced tomatoes with chiles if you prefer less heat.
  • Cheese Options – Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan or replace part of the Velveeta with sour cream for tang.
  • Red Bell Pepper – Adds sweet crunch and color.
very close up view of tongs picking up crawfish fettuccine

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Necessary gear: Equipment

Use a large oven-proof skillet (cast iron is ideal). If you don’t have one, cook in a skillet and transfer to a casserole dish for the oven finish. This also works well in a Dutch oven.

How to store leftovers

Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This dish freezes well: place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating gently, adding reserved pasta water if needed to restore creaminess.

A picture of Melanie Cagle showing something in a cooking pot.

About The Author

Melanie Cagle

Melanie is a food photographer, home cook, and Cajun-food enthusiast who has shared tested recipes and tutorials on this blog since 2020.

Her work has been featured across national outlets and she appeared on Food Network’s “100 Cooks”.

About Mel
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Mel’s kitchen notes

Leftover crawfish from a boil are ideal because they’re already seasoned. If using frozen tails, opt for Louisiana-sourced crawfish when possible for better flavor.

overhead view of crawfish fettuccine in a skillet with boiled crawfish and garlic and texas toast arranged around

Other crawfish recipes I think you’ll love

  • Creamy Crawfish Ravioli
  • Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
  • Creamy Crawfish Monica
  • Crawfish Pie Recipe
  • Crawfish Dip
  • Crawfish Enchiladas
  • Crawfish Bread
  • Crawfish Pastalaya
  • Crawfish Pistolettes
  • Fried Crawfish Poboy
  • Crawfish Stew

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

How do you make Shrimp and Crawfish Fettuccine?

Follow the same method but substitute half the crawfish with shrimp, or use all shrimp if preferred.

What does crawfish taste like?

Crawfish has a sweet, delicate flavor similar to shrimp and crab, but with its own distinct taste.


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overhead close up of a skillet of crawfish fettuccine

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Crawfish Fettuccine Recipe

Creamy, cheesy and full of Cajun flavor—this Crawfish Fettuccine is a favorite way to use leftover crawfish tails.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Cajun and Creole
Author: Melanie Cagle

ANNOUNCEMENT

Watch Me Compete on Food Network’s 100 Cooks – airing June 7th @ 9/8c

Video

Equipment

  • Zatarain’s Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil
  • Cast Iron Skillet (or oven-proof skillet)

Ingredients

  • 1 Pound Fettuccine Noodles
  • 2 Tablespoons Shrimp and Crab Boil Seasoning
  • ½ Cup Unsalted Butter
  • 2 Each Shallots diced
  • 3 Cloves Garlic minced
  • ½ Tablespoon Creole Seasoning
  • 1 (10-½ Ounce) Can Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 12 Ounces Velveeta Cheese cubed
  • 1 (10-½ Ounce) Can Diced Tomatoes and Chilies
  • 1 Pound Crawfish Tails cooked
  • 2 Each Green Onions chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add seafood seasoning.
  • Cook fettuccine 8–9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté shallots and garlic until translucent.
  • Add Creole seasoning, cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes with chiles and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a simmer.
  • Stir in cubed Velveeta until melted and smooth.
  • Add crawfish tails and green onions, cook 2 minutes, then add the pasta and combine off the heat.
  • Cover with foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes.
  • Garnish with additional green onions, serve with Parmesan and garlic bread if desired.

Notes

Reserve some pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce when reheating.

For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to taste.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 1118mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g

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