Sarah's Super Cheesy Crawfish Fettuccini

8 servings Intermediate
5.0/5 (2)
Crawfish Casserole is wonderful for a dinner party or family gathering. This recipe calls for fettuccini noodles but the last I ate it, chef had used bow-tie pasta and it was quite good. Rich and creamy with crawfish, bell peppers, mushrooms, Velveeta, and cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 2 to 3 lbs crawfish
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bunch green onions
  • 16 ounces mushrooms
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 pints half 'n half
  • 2 lbs Velveeta cheese
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 box Fettuccini noodles
  • Salt, Black Pepper and Cayenne to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Cook fettuccini noodles according to package directions until al dente (add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water). Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, slice the mushrooms and sauté them in REAL butter over medium heat until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the chopped bell peppers, chopped onion, sliced green onions, and minced garlic. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne to taste. Keep on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
  4. Add the half ’n half to the vegetables and bring to a gentle simmer. Cut the Velveeta cheese into cubes and add to the pot, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
  5. Sprinkle in the flour (about 3 tablespoons or enough to thicken to a creamy sauce consistency), stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large casserole dish.
  7. Pour the cooked, drained noodles into the casserole dish. Add the crawfish tails and pour the cheese sauce over top. Stir all ingredients thoroughly until mixture is distributed evenly throughout.
  8. Cover the top generously with the shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes until bubbly and cheese is slightly browned on top.
  9. Don’t overcook or it won’t be as creamy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with a green salad made with Romaine lettuce tossed with Parmesan cheese, croutons and bacon bits, and a hot loaf of French bread.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my sauce too thin and watery?

A: Make sure you're using enough flour to thicken (3 tablespoons minimum) and let it simmer for a few minutes after adding the flour. The sauce will also thicken as it bakes.

Q: Can I use fresh crawfish instead of frozen?

A: Absolutely! If using fresh boiled crawfish, peel about 4-5 pounds to get 2-3 pounds of tail meat. Save that flavorful fat from the heads to add to your sauce.

Q: The top is browning too fast in the oven

A: Cover the casserole loosely with aluminum foil for the first 25-30 minutes, then uncover to let the cheese brown for the final 10-15 minutes.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t skip the REAL butter for sautéing the mushrooms - it adds important flavor. You can assemble this casserole a day ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready (add 10-15 minutes to baking time if starting from cold). Bow-tie pasta or penne work great as alternatives to fettuccini.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • crawfish: 2-3 lbs peeled shrimp
  • Velveeta cheese: 2 lbs cream cheese or American cheese
  • fettuccini noodles: bow-tie pasta, penne, or any pasta shape you prefer
  • half 'n half: heavy cream for richer sauce, or whole milk for lighter version

Equipment Needed

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven for sauce
  • Large casserole dish (9x13 or similar)
  • Colander for draining pasta