Print

Seafood Pasta Salad

Creamy Seafood Pasta Salad with shrimp and crab in a glass bowl
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This Seafood Pasta Salad is a refreshing summer favorite made with tender shrimp, imitation crab, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, zesty dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light dinner, it’s best served chilled after the flavors meld together.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • 0.5 red onion, finely diced
  • 0.75 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 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: pinch of paprika for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.

2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely. Set aside.

3. If using fresh shrimp, cook in boiling water for 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque. If using pre-cooked shrimp, simply chop into bite-sized pieces. Chop the imitation crab into small chunks.

4. Dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion into small pieces. Finely chop the parsley.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shrimp, imitation crab, diced vegetables, and dressing.

7. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

9. Before serving, sprinkle chopped parsley and a pinch of paprika on top if desired.

Notes

Use small pasta shapes like shells, macaroni, or rotini because they hold the creamy dressing well.

Chilling the salad for at least an hour improves flavor and texture.

Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the creamy dressing.

You can customize the salad by adding green peas, diced cucumber, or replacing imitation crab with real crab or lobster.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/seafood-pasta-salad/