If you have a craving for a dish that perfectly balances freshness, creaminess, and a touch of seaside charm, then this Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe is exactly what you need in your culinary repertoire. Combining tender elbow macaroni with succulent shrimp and crab meat, all tossed in a luscious, tangy dressing, this salad is a delightful crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s for a family picnic, an easy weeknight dinner, or a potluck party, the harmonious burst of flavors and textures makes this seafood pasta salad a refreshing and satisfying meal option you’ll want to come back to time and time again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple yet vibrant ingredients, this salad comes to life effortlessly. Each component plays a crucial role in building a dish that’s fresh, creamy, and brimming with texture and color, ensuring every bite is a joy.
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or small shell pasta: The perfect bite-sized base that holds onto the dressing beautifully.
- ½ pound cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, and chopped): Adds a tender, savory seafood sweetness that’s hard to resist.
- ½ pound imitation crab meat or real crab, chopped: Offers a flaky, slightly sweet contrast to the shrimp with a delightful crab flavor.
- ½ cup celery, finely diced: Brings a refreshing crunch and lightness to the creamy salad.
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced: Adds just the right amount of sharpness and color to brighten things up.
- ½ cup mayonnaise: Creates a rich, smooth texture that ties all the ingredients together.
- ¼ cup sour cream: Brings a subtle tang that balances the mayo’s creaminess wonderfully.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Injects fresh acidity that lifts the flavors and adds brightness.
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning: Infuses the salad with classic seafood spices that evoke coastal vibes perfectly.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Provides gentle, savory warmth without overpowering the dish.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the natural flavors delicately.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Offers just a hint of spice to round out the taste.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley (optional): A lovely herbaceous finish that adds freshness and color.
How to Make Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
Step 1: Cook and Prepare the Pasta
Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s perfectly al dente. Once drained, rinse it under cold water to immediately stop the cooking process and cool it down, which helps keep the bodies of the salad crisp and not mushy.
Step 2: Combine the Seafood and Vegetables
In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together the chopped cooked shrimp, crab meat, diced celery, and red onion. This trio not only brings a fantastic blend of textures but also layers of flavor to set a strong foundation for your salad.
Step 3: Whisk the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until you achieve a smooth, harmonious dressing. This dressing is your salad’s soul, delivering creamy and zesty notes that marry the seafood and pasta beautifully.
Step 4: Toss Everything Together
Add the chilled pasta to the bowl with your seafood and veggies. Pour the dressing over everything, then gently toss just until every ingredient is evenly coated without breaking up the delicate seafood.
Step 5: Add Fresh Herbs and Chill
Fold in the chopped dill or parsley if you’re using them — their freshness will brighten the whole dish. Cover the salad tightly and refrigerate it for at least an hour to let the flavors meld and the salad chill nicely.
How to Serve Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
Garnishes
Serve your seafood pasta salad with a few vibrant lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over for an extra pop of freshness. A sprinkle of extra chopped herbs or a dash of paprika can also enhance the visual appeal and add subtle flavor nuances.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad, crusty garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. Its cool, creamy texture contrasts delightfully with grilled or roasted sides, making the whole experience feel fresh and well-rounded.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant touch, try serving the salad in hollowed-out bell peppers or avocado halves. You can also portion it into individual glass cups or jars for a festive presentation at parties. No matter how it’s plated, this seafood pasta salad looks as good as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover seafood pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors continue to develop, so it tastes even better the next day, but be mindful that the seafood is best fresh.
Freezing
This salad is not ideal for freezing since the mayonnaise and sour cream can separate and change texture after thawing. To keep enjoying the best flavor and texture, it’s better to enjoy this salad fresh or refrigerated for a short time.
Reheating
Because this is a cold salad, reheating is unnecessary and not recommended. Instead, serve it chilled straight from the fridge for the most refreshing experience.
FAQs
Can I use real crab instead of imitation crab in this seafood pasta salad?
Absolutely! Using real crab meat will enhance the flavor and make the salad feel more luxurious, but imitation crab provides a budget-friendly, tasty alternative that still works wonderfully.
What kind of pasta works best in the Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe?
Small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or shells are ideal because they hold the dressing well and mix easily with the seafood and veggies. Avoid long pastas as they don’t bind as nicely in a cold salad.
Can I substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream for a lighter option?
Yes, replacing the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt is a great way to make this salad lighter without sacrificing creaminess or flavor. It also adds a nice protein boost.
How far in advance can I prepare this seafood pasta salad?
You can make this salad up to one day ahead. Chilling it in the fridge allows the flavors to marry beautifully, but avoid making it much earlier to keep the seafood as fresh as possible.
Is this Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe suitable for special diets?
This dish suits pescatarian diets perfectly. For gluten-free options, simply substitute the pasta with gluten-free varieties, and keep an eye on the ingredients of your imitation crab meat to ensure compliance.
Final Thoughts
There is something so wonderfully comforting about a well-made Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe that manages to be simultaneously indulgent and refreshing. I encourage you to make this recipe your own, perhaps adding a sprinkle of your favorite herbs or a little extra Old Bay for a bold twist. Whatever you decide, this salad is bound to brighten your table and satisfy your seafood cravings with every creamy, flavorful bite. Give it a try and watch it become a beloved staple in your kitchen!
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Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
This Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings or easy weeknight meals. Combining tender elbow macaroni, succulent shrimp, and crab meat with crunchy celery and red onion, all tossed in a zesty Old Bay and lemon dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream. Chilled to perfection and garnished with fresh dill or parsley, this salad is both satisfying and light, ideal for seafood lovers seeking a cool and creamy pasta salad.
Ingredients
Seafood and Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
- ½ pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- ½ pound imitation crab meat or real crab, chopped
Vegetables
- ½ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni or small shell pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
- Combine Seafood and Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked shrimp, chopped crab meat, finely diced celery, and finely diced red onion, mixing gently to distribute evenly.
- Make Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Salad: Add the cooled pasta to the seafood and vegetables mixture. Pour the prepared dressing over the top and gently toss all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Herbs and Chill: Stir in chopped fresh dill or parsley if desired for added flavor and color. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day in advance—just give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
- For a lighter version, substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream to reduce fat and calories.
- Serve chilled, accompanied by lemon wedges to brighten the flavors as desired.
