Italian Crab Sauce – Classic Sunday Gravy with a Coastal Twist
This Italian Crab Sauce (Sugo di Granchio) brings the flavors of Southern Italy to your kitchen. Sweet blue crab simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce with herbs and olive oil—perfect over pasta for an unforgettable seafood feast. Traditionally served on Sundays and holidays, it’s a beautiful blend of land and sea.
🍽 Ingredients (Servings: 4–6)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1½ pounds fresh blue crab pieces (cleaned and cracked) or 1 lb lump crabmeat
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can San Marzano tomatoes (crushed by hand or blended slightly)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lb linguine or spaghetti
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:
🧄 In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant and golden, about 3–4 minutes.
2️⃣ Add the Crab:
🦀 Stir in crab pieces (or lump meat), red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes to infuse flavor.
3️⃣ Deglaze and Simmer:
🍷 Pour in white wine and let it reduce by half. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 35–40 minutes, partially covered. Stir occasionally.
4️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
🍝 Meanwhile, cook linguine or spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
5️⃣ Finish the Sauce:
🌿 Stir in fresh basil and parsley. If using crab meat instead of shells, gently fold it in at the end and warm through.
6️⃣ Toss and Serve:
🍽 Toss the drained pasta with the crab sauce, adding pasta water as needed to loosen. Serve immediately with crusty bread and a drizzle of extra olive oil.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Italian Crab Sauce
- 🦀 Crab Cracker Set – Essential for breaking crab shells cleanly.
- 🍅 San Marzano Tomatoes – Rich, authentic flavor perfect for sauces.
- 🍝 Linguine Pasta – Traditional pairing for seafood sauces.
- 🧄 Garlic Slicer – Get those perfect, even garlic slivers.
- 🍳 Heavy-Bottom Saucepan – Even heat for slow-simmering sauces.
- 🧂 Seafood Seasoning – Optional, but adds an extra punch of coastal flavor.
💡 Helpful Tip
If using whole crabs, simmer with the shells for max flavor, then remove and crack them at the table. For an easier version, use fresh lump crab meat stirred in at the end for the same sweet richness without the mess. Serve with chilled white wine like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino.