Description
A creamy and refreshing pasta salad featuring tender rotini pasta, succulent shrimp, and imitation crab meat, combined with crunchy vegetables and tossed in a tangy, herb-infused dressing. This seafood pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics, lunches, and casual gatherings, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors served chilled.
Ingredients
Pasta and Seafood
- 350 g rotini or bow-tie pasta
- 250 g cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
- 200 g imitation crab meat, chopped
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Creamy Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp milk, as needed
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the rotini or bow-tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Rinse and cool: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down completely.
- Combine seafood and vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped shrimp, imitation crab meat, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, chopped parsley, dill, and halved cherry tomatoes. Gently toss to combine.
- Prepare the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust consistency: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk as needed to achieve a smooth, pourable dressing consistency.
- Toss salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and seafood mixture, then gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Garnish: Just before serving, garnish with additional fresh dill or parsley for an extra burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use freshly cooked shrimp or leftover chilled shrimp.
- Substitute imitation crab with cooked lump crab meat if preferred for a more authentic seafood taste.
- Additions like peas, cucumber, or sweet corn can enhance the salad’s texture and color.
- If the salad thickens too much after refrigeration, stir in a tablespoon of milk or mayonnaise to loosen the dressing.
- Store the salad refrigerated and serve it chilled for the freshest taste and safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
