Seafood Pasta Salad
This Seafood Pasta Salad is a real crowd-pleaser. Its colorful mix of ingredients and delicious, tangy dressing will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Loaded with succulent shrimp, juicy crab meat, crisp veggies, and a creamy, flavorful dressing, this dish promises to wow at any gathering.
Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe Highlights
- Tasty
- Easy to Make
- Great for Groups
- Make-Ahead
- Versatile
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
PASTA – I used fusilli pasta (a family favorite), but you can also use other short types of short pasta, such as elbow macaroni, rotini, or farfalle.
LUMP CRAB MEAT – This adds a sweet, delicate flavor and texture that’s a key part of the seafood theme.
COOKED SHRIMP – You can buy fresh or frozen shrimp. I chose frozen cooked large shrimp from Trader Joe’s. They are already peeled, deveined, and have the tail removed. I pop them in the fridge to slowly defrost them overnight.
TIP – If you are using uncooked frozen shrimp with the tail-on, check out our SHRIMP SALAD recipe for tips on how to cook them perfectly.
FROZEN PEAS – Peas add a pop of sweetness and color, making the salad more tasty and appealing.
RED BELL PEPPER – It gives the salad a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a crunchy texture.
CELERY – Celery provides a nice crunch and a refreshing, slightly earthy flavor.
SWEET ONION – Onions add a bit of sharpness and crunch that balances out the creamy elements of the salad.
MAYONNAISE – This forms the base of the dressing, giving the salad a rich, creamy, and tangy flavor.
SOUR CREAM – It adds a touch of tangy creaminess to the dressing, enhancing its flavor.
DIJON MUSTARD – The mustard gives the dressing a spicy kick that brings depth to the salad’s flavor.
FRESH DILL – Dill brings a fresh, slightly tangy flavor that complements the seafood nicely.
FRESH LEMON JUICE – Lemon juice adds acidity to the salad, brightening the flavors and balancing the richness of the mayo and seafood.
OLD BAY SEASONING – This classic seafood seasoning adds a warm, zesty flavor, making the seafood taste even better.
Variations
AVOCADO – Adding diced avocado can give the salad a creamy texture and a boost of healthy fats.
CUCUMBER – Chopped cucumber would add a crisp, refreshing crunch and help balance out the rich seafood flavors.
BACON – A little bit of cooked, crumbled bacon can add a smoky flavor and a crunchy texture.
LOBSTER – Adding chunks of cooked lobster will make the salad even more luxurious and enhance the seafood flavor.
IMITATION CRAB MEAT – This great, budget-friendly alternative still delivers a similar flavor to real crab meat. It’s also easier to find in many grocery stores.
GERMAN CUCUCMBER SALAD
Incredibly refreshing and made with 4 simple ingredients.
How To Make A Seafood Salad With Pasta
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Cook pasta, rinse, drain, and cool.
- Mix pasta with crab, shrimp, and veggies in a big bowl.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients in another bowl.
- Coat pasta mix with dressing, refrigerate, then stir and serve.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Leftover Seafood Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
FREEZE – I don’t recommend freezing this salad. The mayonnaise-based dressing and the cooked pasta do not freeze well, and the texture of the seafood can become rubbery when thawed.
More Easy and Delicious Salads
Serving Ideas
PICNICS AND BARBECUES – This salad is a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats or vegetables.
POTLUCKS – It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to transport and can be made ahead, making it perfect for potlucks.
LUNCH – Pack individual servings for a satisfying lunch on the go.
BREAD – Serve it alongside crusty homemade bread or garlic bread for a complete meal.
WINE – This pasta salad pairs well with a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a light rosé.
More Easy Pasta Salad Recipes
TUNA PASTA SALAD – A protein-packed salad with hearty tuna and fresh veggies.
BACON RANCH PASTA SALAD – Enjoy crispy bacon and creamy Ranch flavors in this hearty salad.
AMISH MACARONI SALAD – A sweet and tangy comfort food classic.
DILL PICKLE PASTA SALAD – A refreshing, tangy salad with crunchy dill pickles.
ITALIAN PASTA SALAD – A colorful salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
Seafood Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta
- 1 pound lump crab meat diced
- 1 pound cooked shrimp frozen, thawed
- 1 cup peas frozen, thawed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 2 stalks celery finely chopped
DRESSING
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons dill fresh, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Then rinse under cold water, drain, and let it cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crab meat, shrimp, peas, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, and celery.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, dill, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and seafood mixture. Stir everything together until it's well-coated.
- Cover the salad and place it in the fridge for at least 1 hour so all the flavors can mix and blend together. Before serving, give the salad a good stir and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.