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Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 54 reviews

This Seafood Pasta Salad combines tender pasta with succulent shrimp and fresh crab meat, tossed with crunchy celery, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy lemon-Dijon dressing. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh dill and lemon wedges, this salad is a refreshing and elegant dish ideal for light lunches or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Seafood

  • 8 ounces rotini, penne, or preferred pasta shape
  • 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled
  • 1 cup fresh crab meat, shell-checked

Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup high-quality mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped

For Serving

  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pasta: Cook pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled pasta with the cooked shrimp, fresh crab meat, finely chopped celery, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion.
  3. Make Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  4. Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and seafood mixture. Add the finely chopped fresh dill, then toss everything together gently to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve the chilled seafood pasta salad with lemon wedges on the side for an added fresh citrus burst.

Notes

  • Use high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor in the dressing.
  • You can substitute the crab meat and shrimp with canned crab or cooked scallops if preferred.
  • Make sure to rinse the pasta well under cold water to prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • This salad is best served chilled and tastes even better after resting in the fridge overnight.
  • Feel free to add other herbs like parsley or chives for variation.

Keywords: Seafood pasta salad, shrimp pasta salad, crab meat salad, summer pasta salad, creamy seafood salad

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