Linguine With Zucchini, Tomato, and Crab Recipe

By
Yasmin Fahr
Yasmin Fahr: Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Yasmin Fahr
Yasmin Fahr is a food writer, recipe developer and author of the cookbook Keeping it Simple. She has a penchant for cheesy phrases, lemons, fresh herbs, feta and cumin.
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Updated Jan. 15, 2020
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Zucchini, tomatoes, and lumps of crabmeat make up the summery sauce in this pasta dish. Yasmin Fahr

This light, summery pasta is packed with tender zucchini, plump burst tomatoes, and a decadent touch of fresh crabmeat.

Why this recipe works:

  • Fresh, ripe tomatoes quickly burst to become a flavorful sauce that will coat the noodles.
  • Finishing the pasta in vegetable stock adds tons of flavor, all while using just 1 pot.

Recipe Facts

Active: 30 mins
Total: 30 mins
Serves: 4 servings

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Ingredients

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Water
  • 1 pound regular, whole wheat, or quinoa linguine
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced
  • Pinch of red chili flakes
  • 1 large zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
  • 1 quart homemade vegetable stock or low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 6 ounces lump blue crabmeat, picked over for shells
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves, roughly chopped

Directions

  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta for half the cooking time specified on the package. Drain in a colander, drizzle lightly with oil and toss to coat to prevent sticking.

  2. Wipe out the pot, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, a pinch of salt, and chili flakes and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add zucchini and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tomatoes and zucchini have softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl along with any juices and set aside.

  3. Return pasta to the pot along with 1 cup vegetable stock and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until most of the stock is absorbed. Continue stirring in stock, 1/2 cup at a time, until pasta is al dente (you may not need the full quart of vegetable stock; conversely, if you use all of the stock and still need to cook the pasta further, add water 1/2 cup at a time until pasta is al dente). Stir in tomato mixture and crabmeat and cook until warmed through; if necessary, add more water or stock, 1 tablespoon at a time, to create a saucy consistency. Season with salt and pepper, top with fresh basil, and serve.

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