Ready for a serious crowd-pleaser? This Seafood Pasta Salad is the ultimate combination of creamy, zesty, and refreshing, packed with tender shrimp, sweet imitation crab, and crisp veggies. Whether you’re headed to a picnic, prepping for a family potluck, or dreaming of a light summer dinner, this dish always delivers big flavor and irresistible texture. Each forkful is a taste of the coast, and it’s so easy to adapt or make ahead—you’ll reach for this recipe again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what goes into making this Seafood Pasta Salad shine. Every ingredient has a special role, from the chew of the pasta to the brightness of the lemon and crunch of fresh veggies. Here’s what you’ll need (and why!):
- Pasta: Rotini or shells hold the creamy dressing in their nooks and crannies, making every bite flavorful.
- Shrimp: Cooked, chopped shrimp add juicy, sweet, and briny flavor—the star of our seafood lineup.
- Imitation Crab Meat: This gives a hint of classic seafood salad flavor and is super budget-friendly and tender.
- Celery: Brings fresh crunch and a subtle earthiness that balances the creaminess of the salad.
- Red Onion: A small amount goes a long way to add tang and a pop of vibrant color.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds natural sweetness and crunch, plus gorgeous visual appeal.
- Mayonnaise: The rich, silky base that binds all the ingredients together.
- Sour Cream: Adds tang and makes the dressing extra creamy without being too heavy.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up all the flavors with its zippy freshness.
- Dijon Mustard: Lends just enough sharpness to wake up the dressing.
- Old Bay Seasoning: The not-so-secret seasoning for that signature seafood salad taste.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for making every ingredient shine—taste and adjust to preference.
- Fresh Dill or Parsley: Totally optional, but a sprinkle of fresh herbs takes the finished dish over the top in terms of both flavor and presentation.
How to Make Seafood Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Start by cooking your rotini or shell pasta in a big pot of boiling salted water. Aim for al dente—tender but still with a little bite—so the noodles won’t go mushy once tossed with the dressing. Drain well, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta down completely. This helps avoid melting the mayo and ensures your Seafood Pasta Salad tastes perfectly chilled and creamy.
Step 2: Prep the Seafood and Veggies
While the pasta cools, get those irresistible mix-ins ready! Chop the cooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces and shred the imitation crab meat for even distribution. Finely dice your celery, red onion, and red bell pepper—these veggies bring color, a great crunch, and a fresh snap to every forkful.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad Base
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine all your cooled pasta, shrimp, crab, celery, red onion, and red bell pepper. Gently toss so you don’t crush those beautiful ingredients. You should already see a bright, tempting salad coming together!
Step 4: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, plus a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. The dressing should taste bright, creamy, and have that classic seafood salad tang and spice.
Step 5: Mix and Chill
Pour the dressing over your pasta and seafood mixture. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated and looks luscious. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step is key—the flavors meld, the veggies soak up seasoning, and you’ll be rewarded with the best-tasting Seafood Pasta Salad.
How to Serve Seafood Pasta Salad
Garnishes
This salad looks and tastes even better with a finishing touch. Sprinkle fresh dill or parsley over the top just before serving for a burst of herby freshness and vibrant color. A wedge of lemon on the side adds extra zing for seafood lovers.
Side Dishes
Seafood Pasta Salad pairs beautifully with crusty bread, buttery crackers, or a crisp green salad. If you’re serving a summer spread, add grilled corn or a plate of sliced tomatoes with a sprinkle of salt—the flavors are simple but unforgettable together.
Creative Ways to Present
You don’t have to limit yourself to a big salad bowl. Try spooning the salad into lettuce cups for cute party bites, using it as a colorful filling for halved avocados, or piling it onto crostini for an upscale appetizer. However you present it, this lively pasta salad has a “wow” factor every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Seafood Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 2 days. A quick toss before serving will revive the creamy dressing and distribute any settled flavors.
Freezing
This isn’t a great candidate for freezing, since mayonnaise-based dressings tend to separate and the seafood can change texture. For best results, make just what you’ll eat in a couple days and enjoy it fresh and crisp.
Reheating
No reheating needed! Seafood Pasta Salad is built to be enjoyed cold or at cool room temperature. If you’ve just taken it from the fridge, let it sit out for 10 minutes so the flavors shine through.
FAQs
Can I use real crab meat instead of imitation?
Absolutely! Real crab meat is delicious in Seafood Pasta Salad and makes it feel extra special. Be gentle when folding it in to keep the pieces nice and chunky.
What’s the best pasta to use?
Short pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or even farfalle are perfect since they trap the creamy dressing in every twist and fold. Avoid long pastas—they just don’t deliver the same texture.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Try diced cucumber, peas, or even a handful of sweet corn for extra crunch and color. Seafood Pasta Salad is a wonderful canvas for your favorite produce.
Is this salad gluten-free?
If you use a gluten-free pasta, the rest of the ingredients in Seafood Pasta Salad are naturally gluten-free. Just double check your Old Bay seasoning (and crab substitute, if using) for any added gluten.
Can I make it ahead for a party?
Yes! In fact, Seafood Pasta Salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. You can make it a day ahead and add the fresh dill or parsley garnish just before serving for maximum freshness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so irresistible about a chilled, creamy Seafood Pasta Salad—it’s equal parts nostalgic and refreshing, and it always disappears fast at gatherings. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and make it your own. Don’t forget to save a forkful for yourself before the bowl is empty!
Print
Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Seafood Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings or potlucks. It features a mix of pasta, shrimp, crab meat, and crunchy vegetables tossed in a creamy dressing with a hint of Old Bay seasoning.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 8 ounces rotini or shell pasta
Seafood:
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, and chopped)
- 1/2 cup imitation crab meat (shredded)
Veggies:
- 1/2 cup celery (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely diced)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced)
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Garnish:
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare Salad: Combine pasta, shrimp, crab, celery, onion, and bell pepper in a bowl.
- Make Dressing: Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, Old Bay, salt, and pepper.
- Toss and Chill: Pour dressing over salad, toss to coat, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with dill or parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can use all shrimp or real crab instead of imitation.
- Best served chilled and can be made a day ahead.
- Enhance flavor with hot sauce or chopped pickles if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
