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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Main Dish ยป Seafood

    Crawfish Monica

    Published: Mar 25, 2019 ยท Updated: Apr 9, 2021 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Crawfish Monica is a creamy, spicy crawfish sauce served over pasta. Bring New Orleans to your own home with this Jazz Fest inspired crawfish pasta recipe.

    bowls of crawfish pasta with parsley, green onions, and lemon
    • About Crawfish Monica
      • What is Crawfish Monica
      • Ingredients
        • Cost of recipe
    • How to Make Crawfish Monica
    • Crawfish Pasta Recipe Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
      • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Can you freeze Crawfish Monica?
        • Where can I get crawfish?
      • What to serve with Crawfish Monica

    About Crawfish Monica

    There are multiple crawfish recipes on my blog, but I think this one might be my favorite because 1) it's delicious and 2) everyone who tries this Crawfish Monica recipe loves it!

    After using leftover crawfish to make Crawfish Bisque, I decided I needed to try my hand at Crawfish Monica.

    A quick search online will give you multiple copy-cat recipes, but I noticed that all of them were super rich. Two cups of cream and lots o' butter & oil were the main ingredients in this saucy dish in most recipes.

    Plus, there were very few veggies, and the pasta to sauce ratio was too high for my personal preference. I'm not a fan of pasta lacking in sauce, especially this sauce.

    After making a few edits like switching milk for cream, adding cornstarch, reducing the butter, using a little less pasta, and adding more veggies, I found my winning version of Crawfish Monica.

    You still get all the creamy, spiciness you're looking for in your Monica sauce, but this nourishing version won't leave you with a big stomachache.

    And if you want the full recipe video with commentary, check out the recipe card below or on YouTube.

    What is Crawfish Monica

    Crawfish Monica is a spicy, creamy crawfish sauce served over pasta. It's oh so very tasty! Plus, it's a staple at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (aka Jazz Fest). According to their website, over twenty tons of Crawfish Monica was served at the 2012 Jazz Fest. Sheesh!

    The dish was created by chef Pierre Hilzim, founder of Kajun Kettle Foods, Inc and named it after his wife, Monica.

    lemon, onions, cornstarch, parsley, green onions, garlic, crawfish, spices, wine, butter, pasta, parmesan, milk

    Ingredients

    Milk: I tested the recipe using whole milk as well as 2% milk. I honestly saw no difference in the two. I would definitely not recommend using low fat or fat free.

    Cornstarch: the cornstarch helps thicken the sauce so you can use a little less butter and no cream. I like using cornstarch in recipes because it is gluten free, so it's an allergy friendly option.

    Be sure to add your cornstarch to cold liquid and whisk until no lumps remain before adding to a hot dish.

    Pasta: Crawfish Monica is served with rotini or fusilli at Jazz Fest, but I think all pasta tastes great with this sauce. I recommend using a whole grain pasta for more nutrients, and be sure to use a gluten free option if needed.

    This recipe was tested with whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, and chickpea pastas. Because the sauce is quite flavorful, you probably won't taste much of the pasta itself.

    Vegetables: Compared to most Crawfish Monica recipes, I added more onions as well as parsley to boost the nutritional value of this dish. After testing with only onions, I also tried adding celery and really enjoyed that version. The video only shows onions, but I highly recommend adding celery if you have it on hand.

    Wine: the recipe was tested using Chardonnay as well as Sauvignon Blanc. If you do not want to use wine, use water, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or seafood stock in its place.

    Parmesan: you do not want the cheese to overpower the crawfish sauce, so I recommend using a basic Parmesan. I tried Romano Cheese in one test version and thought its strong flavor was too much for the sauce.

    Lemon juice, Parsley, Green onions: to be honest, none of these are 100% mandatory. They make your Crawfish Monica taste amazing and brighten the dish, but if you forget one, it will not be the end of the world.

    bowls of crawfish Monica with wine

    Cost of recipe

    • whole grain rotini 6 ounces: $0.96
    • butter 1 tablespoon: $0.11
    • onions 2 large: $1.36
    • garlic 6 cloves: $0.36
    • paprika 1 teaspoon: $0.15
    • salt ยพ teaspoon: $0.01
    • garlic powder ยฝ teaspoon: $0.04
    • cayenne pepper ยผ teaspoon: $0.02
    • oregano โ…› teaspoon: $0.01
    • thyme โ…› teaspoon: $0.01
    • black pepper โ…› teaspoon: $0.01
    • white wine โ…“ cup: $1.10
    • cornstarch 1 tablespoon: $0.06
    • milk 14 ounces: $1.12
    • crawfish tails 12 ounces: $9.98
    • lemon juice 1 tablespoon: $0.12
    • green onions ยผ cup: $0.10
    • parsley ยพ cup: $0.50
    • parmesan cheese ยฝ cup: $1.74

    TOTAL COST: $17.76 (Based on Mobile, AL Rouse's 2020) or $4.44/serving

    How to Make Crawfish Monica

    steps for cooking crawfish pasta

    Time needed: 40 minutes.

    Making this crawfish pasta recipe at home is simple. Here's how:

    1. Melt the butter and sauté the onions (and celery if using).

    2. Meanwhile, boil the water to make pasta.

    3. Stir garlic and spices.

    4. Add in wine.

    5. Whisk together cornstarch and milk, and stir in.

      Stir together until the mixture thickens. It helps to stay close to the pot while doing this so it doesn't burn.

    6. Pour in remaining milk.

    7. Add in crawfish.

    8. Add in lemon juice, parsley, and green onions to brighten the flavor.

    9. Stir in the cheese until it melts.

    10. Serve the sauce with pasta, and enjoy!

      crawfish pasta being stirred together with a fork in a white bowl

    Crawfish Pasta Recipe Tips

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Crawfish: If you are not a fan of crawfish, feel free to use cooked & peeled shrimp or crabmeat in it's place. With shrimp, I recommend chopping into bitesized pieces before adding. Be gentle when stirring in the crabmeat as you don't want to break up any lumps.

    Another option would be to add cooked, chopped chicken in place of the crawfish.

    Garlic: if you don't have fresh garlic, garlic powder works just as well. About 1 teaspoon in place of the 6 cloves will do the trick. You can always add a little more at the end if you want.

    Wine: If you do not want to use wine, use water, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or seafood stock in its place.

    Make Ahead Ideas

    You can make the sauce beforehand and reheat when ready to serve. Do not make the pasta until just before serving. The sauce can also be frozen.

    Storage Suggestions

    Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seafood does not stay fresh as long, so freeze if needed.

    The sauce keeps in the freezer in an airtight container for up to one month.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze Crawfish Monica?

    Yes, you can freeze Crawfish Monica. Freeze the sauce without pasta in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

    To reheat, let defrost in the fridge and add to a saucepan to reheat over medium-low. In the microwave, heat on defrost in 2 minute increments until completely defrosted. Then heat at full power just until warmed through.

    Where can I get crawfish?

    Obviously it's best if you live in a place where crawfish is easy to find. If you don't, you can easily order online. I ordered from Louisiana Crawfish Co. and highly recommend them! I ordered 5 pounds peeled crawfish tails and it got to my house in San Diego still frozen and delivered on the date I specified.

    two bowls of crawfish pasta with forks, lemon, green onions

    What to serve with Crawfish Monica

    Crawfish Monica is great served by itself or with a side salad topped with strawberry dressing and maybe add a slice of bread to soak up any excess sauce. Add a glass of white wine (I usually serve whatever wine I used in the recipe) or make some Strawberry Kombucha Sangria to serve alongside your tasty crawfish pasta.

    Final thoughts:

    If you are a fan of crawfish, this is a must-make recipe! Don't let the long ingredients list intimidate you; it's mainly spices & seasoning.

    Once you make this Crawfish Monica, you'll understand why so much is sold at Jazz Fest every year: it's that good! Bonus is that you don't have to go to New Orleans to enjoy this in the comfort of your own home.

    bowls of Crawfish Monica topped with green onions with wine and boiled crawfish and blue napkin

    MORE CRAWFISH RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Crawfish Nachos
    • Crawfish Bisque
    • Mini Crawfish Pies
    • Crawfish Boil Tacos
    • Cajun Crawfish Bread
    • Egg Stuffed Portobellos with Crawfish
    bowls of crawfish pasta with parsley, green onions, and lemon

    Crawfish Monica

    Crawfish Monica is a creamy, spicy crawfish sauce served over pasta. Bring New Orleans to your own home with this Jazz Fest inspired crawfish pasta recipe.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $17.76 || $4.44/serving

    Ingredients

    • 6 ounces rotini or any pasta
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 2 medium yellow onions diced
    • 6 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ยพ teaspoon salt
    • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ยผ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • โ…› teaspoon dried oregano
    • โ…› teaspoon dried thyme
    • โ…› teaspoon black pepper
    • โ…“ cup white wine or water
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1.75 cups milk whole or 2%, divided
    • 1 pound peeled crawfish tails
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • ยผ cup chopped green onions optional
    • ยพ cup chopped fresh parsley optional
    • ยฝ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    • In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion to melted butter, and saute for 7-10 minutes until softened.
    • Meanwhile, Bring a pot of water to a boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente, and drain. Set aside.
    • Stir in garlic, paprika, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and pepper. Stir constantly for 30 seconds then add in wine. Cook until almost all of the wine has evaporated.
    • Whisk together cornstarch and ยผ cup milk in a small bowl. Add into pot and slowly stir in remaining milk. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes until thickened. 
    • Stir in crawfish tails and cook for 2 minutes. Add in lemon juice, green onion, and parsley, and stir well to combine. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.
    • Serve sauce with cooked pasta. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    *Makes about 4 cups of sauce.
    *For more veggies, add an extra 1 cup diced celery. Or substitute 4 stalks of celery for 1 onion.
    *A 12-ounce package of crawfish tails can be used in place of the 16-ounce package.
    *If you don't want to use wine, use water, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or seafood stock in its place.
    *Can use 1 teaspoon extra garlic powder in place of the 6 cloves of garlic.
    *Use gluten-free, whole grain pasta if desired. The recipe was tested using whole wheat pasta, gluten-free quinoa pasta, gluten-free brown rice pasta, and gluten-free chickpea pasta.
    *Nutrition facts calculated using chickpea pasta and 2% milk.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    Knife
    Cutting Board
    Dutch Oven
    red spoon
    Spoon
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Crawfish Monica recipe inspired by Kajun Kettle Foods and adapted from a recipe from Go NOLA.

    [showhide type="post" more_text="Click here for Crawfish Monica Nutrition Facts" less_text="Clear Nutrition Facts"]
    *

    Nutrition Facts
    Crawfish Monica
    Serving Size
     
    1 cup sauce + 1.5 ounces pasta
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    405
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    12
    g
    18
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    31
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    140
    mg
    47
    %
    Sodium
     
    825
    mg
    36
    %
    Potassium
     
    562
    mg
    16
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    40
    g
    13
    %
    Fiber
     
    8
    g
    33
    %
    Sugar
     
    12
    g
    13
    %
    Protein
     
    35
    g
    70
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Vitamin A
     
    1600
    IU
    32
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    24
    mg
    29
    %
    Calcium
     
    347
    mg
    35
    %
    Iron
     
    10
    mg
    56
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *
    [/showhide]

    Meme

    This recipe was originally published April 29, 2014. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

    Doesn't this recipe look good?! You should probably pin it for later:

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    Comments

    1. Nola Native says

      February 12, 2020 at 7:56 pm

      5 stars
      Creole Queen
      Lovely, Light and seasoned perfectly.
      โ™ฅ๏ธ from a NOLA Native โšœ๏ธโšœ๏ธโšœ๏ธโšœ๏ธโšœ๏ธ

      Reply
      • Meme says

        February 13, 2020 at 10:28 am

        Yay!! So excited you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚
        xo

        Reply
    2. Casey says

      April 01, 2020 at 6:05 am

      5 stars
      It was a great recipe, thanks for posting!! My wife and kids loved it, and it was truly reminiscent of Jazz Fest!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        April 01, 2020 at 11:34 am

        WOOHOOOOO!!! So glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for coming back to share!

        Reply
    3. Kelly says

      April 05, 2020 at 9:34 am

      I am stoked to try this recipe today!!! I had a bunch of left over crawfish from yesterday and looking forward to using this recipe to create one of my favorite dishes! Whatโ€™s even better...I have every ingredient in my kitchen already!!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        April 06, 2020 at 1:38 pm

        Yeyahhhhhh!!!! Hope you enjoyed it! Wish I was enjoying it with you! xo

        Reply
    4. goodtobeking says

      April 08, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      I made this yesterday for a bunch of retired cops, firefighters, and veterans that I cook for every Wednesday. I tripled the recipe and I can tell you it turned out amazing and almost everyone had three bowls full. This is the most amazing sauce you will ever eat. I bought 10 pounds of crawfish but didn't have time to prep the tales so I used four pounds of medium shrimp and we will do a crawfish and clam boil the next week instead. You have to try this! The only thing I would do is leave out the green onions because the texture didn't fit in and with 6 onions they weren't needed.

      Reply
      • Meme says

        April 09, 2021 at 3:03 pm

        HOORAY!!!! I am so happy y'all enjoyed it and love that you had success with multiplying the recipe.
        I love the extra onion flavor from the green onions, but it can definitely be left out!
        Thanks so much for coming back to share!! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
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