Crawfish Monica Recipe with Velveeta
Crawfish Monica is a rich, creamy pasta dish that combines tender crawfish with a velvety sauce made with Velveeta cheese. Perfect for a comforting meal, this Cajun-inspired recipe is packed with flavor and can be customized with your preferred level of spice. It’s the ideal dish for seafood lovers looking for a comforting, flavorful dinner.
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Medium pot (for pasta)
- Strainer (for draining pasta)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb fettuccine pasta or pasta of choice
- 1 lb crawfish tails fresh or frozen
- 1 block 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional for garnish
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Add the heavy cream to the skillet, stirring to combine. Lower the heat to medium-low, then add the Velveeta cheese cubes. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season the Sauce: Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well and taste the sauce, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.
- Add the Crawfish: Add the crawfish tails to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Be careful not to overcook the crawfish, as they can become tough.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained fettuccine pasta to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy crawfish mixture.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Crawfish: If using frozen crawfish, ensure they’re thawed and drained properly before adding to the dish.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning to suit your spice preference.
Creaminess: For an extra creamy sauce, add more heavy cream or use a bit of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if it thickens too much.
Substitutions: If you don’t have Velveeta, you can substitute with a combination of cream cheese and cheddar cheese for a similar creamy texture.
