Description
When summer rolls around and the days get longer and hotter, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cold, refreshing pasta salad. And when you add tender shrimp, imitation crab, crisp veggies, and a creamy dressing? Magic happens.
Ingredients
- 12 oz small pasta (elbow macaroni, shells, or rotini)
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup imitation crab meat, chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: a pinch of paprika for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
Tip: Rinsing the pasta stops the cooking process and cools it down quickly, perfect for pasta salads.
If using fresh shrimp, cook them until pink and opaque (about 2-3 minutes in boiling water).
If using pre-cooked shrimp, simply chop them into bite-sized pieces.
Chop imitation crab meat into small chunks.
Dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion into small pieces.
Chop parsley finely for garnishing.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Pro Tip: Adjust seasoning to taste — add a splash of hot sauce if you like a little kick!
In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, shrimp, crab meat, diced vegetables, and dressing.
Toss gently until everything is well coated.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Before serving, sprinkle with fresh parsley and a pinch of paprika if desired.
Optional Serving Suggestion: Serve over a bed of lettuce for a beautiful presentation!
Notes
- Use Small Pasta: Shells, elbow macaroni, or rotini grab onto the creamy dressing beautifully.
- Chill Time Matters: Letting the salad sit in the fridge allows the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Fresh Lemon Is Key: Don’t skip the lemon juice — it brightens up the entire dish.
- Customize It: Add green peas, diced cucumber, or swap in real crab or lobster for an upscale twist!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
Keywords: The BEST Seafood Pasta Salad