Crawfish Fettuccine II

8 servings Total: 1 h 5 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
The pasta dish of the Cajuns—rich, creamy crawfish fettuccine with jalapeño cheese, bell pepper, and onion. This easy version uses cream of mushroom soup and a microwave cheese sauce for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 bell pepper chopped
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 pound package Kraft jalapeno cheese
  • 2 pounds crawfish
  • 1 (16 oz) large bag broad egg noodles

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cook noodles according to package directions (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt one stick of butter over medium heat; sauté the onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in the mushroom soup. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. In a large glass bowl, combine 1 stick of butter, milk, flour and salt. Microwave for 2 minutes. Remove and stir well. Microwave again for 2 more minutes then add the jalapeño cheese. Let the cheese melt and then stir the mixture until smooth.
  4. In the large saucepan, combine both of the mixtures together and add the crawfish. Cook on medium to low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked noodles. Mix together and serve.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use frozen crawfish tails?

A: Yes, frozen crawfish tails work great. Thaw them first and drain well to avoid excess water in your sauce.

Q: The sauce seems too thick. What should I do?

A: Add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to your desired consistency. The noodles will absorb liquid as it sits.

Q: Can I make this ahead?

A: Yes, but cook the pasta slightly underdone and store separately. Combine and reheat gently, adding milk to loosen the sauce as needed.

Tips and Techniques

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use Tony Chachere’s seasoning in place of the salt. If you want to stretch the dish, add another half pound of noodles and a bit more milk to the sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • crawfish: shrimp or a combination of shrimp and crab
  • Kraft jalapeño cheese: Velveeta with a diced jalapeño, or pepper jack cheese
  • cream of mushroom soup: cream of celery soup or a simple béchamel sauce
  • broad egg noodles: fettuccine, linguine, or penne pasta

Equipment Needed

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large saucepan or deep skillet
  • Large microwave-safe glass bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Historical Context

Crawfish pasta dishes became popular in Cajun country in the 1980s and 90s as Italian-American cuisine merged with Louisiana traditions. This easy version represents the home-cooking adaptations that made the dish accessible for busy families.