Description
This easy, refreshing seafood pasta salad combines tender pasta, shrimp, imitation crab, and crunchy veggies in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light summer meal, it comes together in under 30 minutes and is endlessly adaptable.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz small pasta shapes (rotini, shells, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined (thawed frozen shrimp works perfectly)
- 1 cup imitation crab meat, chopped (or real lump crab)
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or seafood seasoning blend)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until just al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water until completely cool. Shake off excess water.
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw under cold running water and pat dry. Chop imitation crab into bite-size pieces.
- Dice celery, red onion, and red bell pepper. Chop fresh herbs if using.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Old Bay seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, shrimp, crab, celery, onion, bell pepper, peas, and herbs. Pour dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and salad chill.
- Stir before serving. Add more mayo or lemon juice if salad seems dry.
Notes
For best results, use small pasta shapes and fresh lemon juice. Chill thoroughly before serving. Adjust dressing for creaminess as needed. Easily made gluten-free with GF pasta. Add-ins like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or capers are delicious. Salad is best served cold and can be made a day ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: seafood pasta salad, cold seafood salad, shrimp pasta salad, crab pasta salad, picnic salad, summer salad, easy seafood recipe, potluck salad, creamy pasta salad