This Seafood Pasta Salad is a real crowd-pleaser, with its colorful mix of ingredients and delicious, tangy dressing that'll have everyone coming back for seconds.
Loaded with succulent shrimp, juicy crab meat, crisp veggies, and a creamy, flavorful dressing, it's a dish that promises to wow at any gathering.
Why You'll Love This Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe
- TASTY
- EASY TO MAKE
- GREAT FOR GROUPS
- MAKE-AHEAD
- VERSATILE
Ingredients
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 that makes 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 is a great, budget-friendly alternative that still delivers a similar flavor to real crab meat. It's also easier to find in many grocery stores.
RELATED RECIPE
German Cucumber Salad - Oma's authentic German Cucumber Salad is 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.
More Side Dishes
Tomato Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Red Cabbage
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.
Leftovers
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 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.
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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.