Seafood Pasta Salad combines tender pasta, succulent seafood, and crisp vegetables, all dressed in a delicious creamy dressing! Impress guests at your next gathering with this sweet and tangy dish that’s as addictive as it is filling!
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Seafood Pasta Salad brings filling pasta together with light seafood, for the perfect summer dish that’s quick and easy to prepare, and a surefire hit for any event or gathering.
This creamy pasta salad recipe was adapted from a dish that one of my friends makes, except hers is more pasta-centered, whereas I wanted this to be perfectly balanced with veggies, seafood, and pasta. After a few tries and increasing the veggies and sauce, this version got rave reviews from my taste testers!
I like to enjoy the leftovers (if there are any) as a super filling and tasty lunch over the following couple of days whenever I make this!
My seafood salad recipe is the perfect side dish for get togethers. Enjoy it at a family dinner, picnic, potluck, or backyard BBQ for Memorial Day, July 4th, or Labor Day!
If you’re looking for some more easy pasta salad recipes, check out my Greek Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Lemon Tarragon Pasta Salad, and The Best Macaroni Salad!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Its versatility makes it the perfect side dish for a hot summer day or a main course for a light lunch.
- Pasta salads are a great way to introduce a variety of vegetables to your diet, adding and customizing to your preference.
- With just a few simple steps and readily available ingredients, you can whip up a dish that’s sure to become a staple at your dining table during the summer months.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Pasta Shells – The backbone of the salad. Feel free to use other short pasta shapes like bow-tie pasta or elbow macaroni for variety.
- Imitation or Real Crab Meat – Adds a sweet, seafood flavor to the dish. You can use either real lump crab meat for a more luxurious touch or imitation crabmeat for a budget-friendly option.
- Frozen Cooked Shrimp – Brings a delicate, briny flavor that complements the crab meat.
- Frozen Peas – Introduces a pop of sweetness and a vibrant green color.
- Finely Chopped Celery – Adds a crunch and a slight peppery flavor.
- Mayonnaise – The base of the creamy dressing that binds the salad together.
- Sour Cream – Contributes to the creamy texture of the dressing and adds a tangy flavor.
- White Vinegar – Provides an acidity that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and sour cream.
- Granulated Sugar – Just a touch is needed to slightly sweeten the dressing.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
How to Make Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to a small bowl.
- Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Place the pasta, crab meat, salad shrimp, peas, and celery in a large bowl. Spoon or pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss the salad until the dressing coats the ingredients evenly.
- Chill for 1 hour, then add any garnishes or additional seasoning before serving.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, you can use a different pasta shape instead of shell pasta if you prefer. Just make sure it’s cooked, drained, and cooled before adding it to the salad. You could make a seafood macaroni salad, or try penne, ditalini, fusilli, bow tie pasta, or even small pasta shapes for kids.
You can thaw the salad shrimp and peas by placing them in the refrigerator for a few hours or running them under cold water.
Yes, you can use fresh seafood. If using fresh shrimp, ensure it’s cooked and cooled before adding it to the salad. For crab meat, fresh lump crab meat is a delicious upgrade from imitation crab.
Absolutely! Imitation crab meat works well, but you can also use lump crab if you prefer.
This salad can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well, particularly the mayonnaise and any substitutes you use.
It’s recommended to chill the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to enhance the flavors and cool the dish.
Yes, you can prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before tossing it with the salad.
While it’s traditionally served chilled, you can enjoy it slightly warm if you prefer. Just keep in mind that chilling allows the flavors to meld.
Seafood pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often meld and improve with a bit of time in the fridge.
Tips for Success
- Be sure to cook pasta al dente according to package instructions. This keeps the pasta firm and prevents it from becoming mushy when mixed with the dressing and other ingredients.
- After cooking, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process immediately. This not only cools it down quickly but also helps to keep the pasta firm.
- Frozen shrimp tend to retain a lot of water, so make sure to drain them well, maybe even pat them dry also.
- Mixing the dressing separately is necessary for the success of this recipe. Take the extra minute and whisk separately for a super smooth dressing.
- When preparing the dressing, taste as you go and adjust the dressing ingredients to your liking. The right balance of acidity, sweetness, and creaminess is key. For a tangier dressing, increase the vinegar. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a bit more sugar. For a healthier option, reduce the amount of mayonnaise or use a low-fat version.
- You can adjust the amount of seafood and veggies as desired. This recipe is very forgiving!
- I like to use medium shells for the pasta in the recipe as they give a little bit of a beachy vibe, but you can use whatever pasta shape you prefer.
- Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving helps the flavors to meld together and intensifies the taste.
- Before serving, consider garnishing your salad with fresh herbs, a sprinkle of paprika, or lemon wedges for added color and flavor. This enhances the visual appeal and adds a fresh touch.
What to Serve With Seafood Pasta Salad
Seafood pasta salad is a perfect side dish or main course for various special occasions, whether you’re planning a summer BBQ, a family get-together, or a casual dining experience. Here are some ideas on how to complement this delicious salad!
The cool, creamy texture of the seafood pasta salad complements the smoky flavors of grilled meats perfectly, like grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
And for a lighter meal, serve the seafood pasta salad alongside sandwiches or wraps. This can be a great way to turn a simple lunch into a more substantial and satisfying meal, and it’s one that you can easily take to work with you.
For a burst of freshness, serve a platter of fresh, crunchy vegetables with a dip alongside the seafood pasta salad, or a sweet and tangy fruit salad can also give a delightful contrast. These options add color and variety to your table, making the meal more appealing and balanced.
Seafood pasta salad is also an excellent choice for picnics and potlucks as it is easy to transport, can be served cold, and is a crowd-pleaser! Pair it with other picnic favorites like cold fried chicken, sandwiches, and a selection of cheeses and crackers.
Substitutions and Variations
- For a fresher alternative, consider using raw shrimp that you’ve cooked and cooled yourself.
- You can customize the seafood ingredients used, such as adding cooked lobster or scallops. For those who prefer a non-seafood version, cooked chicken breast or ham can be great substitutes.
- Greek or natural yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream if you’re looking for a healthier option. For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free mayonnaise and omit the sour cream or substitute with a dairy-free yogurt.
- Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar could be used instead of white vinegar for a slightly different tang with some sweetness. For even more tangy, briny flavor, you could add 1-2 Tablespoons of capers to this salad.
- The beauty of a salad is that any fresh vegetables can go into it according to your personal preference, so add other flavors that you like – such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, red onion, bell peppers like green pepper or red pepper, sliced olives, or even slices of hard-boiled eggs.
- For seasoning variations that work well with seafood, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of celery salt and paprika, or if you enjoy Old Bay Seasoning then add a dash or two to the mixture.
- An easy garnish is to sprinkle some fresh herbs like dill, cilantro, parsley, or chives over the top of the bowl or onto each portion.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
- Zucchini Salad
- Caprese Salad
- Doritos Taco Salad
- Peach Panzanella Salad
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Creamy Grape Salad
- Curried Chicken Salad
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Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon
Side Dish
Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad
Side Dish
The Best Macaroni Salad
Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium pasta shells (cooked, drained, then cooled)
- 8 ounces crab meat (imitation or lump crab meat)
- 8 ounces frozen cooked shrimp, tails removed (thawed)
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup finely chopped celery
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to a small bowl.½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Place the pasta, crab meat, salad shrimp, peas, and celery in a large bowl. Spoon or pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.1 pound medium pasta shells, 8 ounces crab meat, 8 ounces frozen cooked shrimp,, 1 cup frozen peas,, 1 cup finely chopped celery
- Toss the salad until the dressing coats the ingredients evenly.
- Chill for 1 hour, then add any garnishes or additional seasoning before serving.
Notes
Seafood pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often meld and improve with a bit of time in the fridge.
Sounds like a great salad. I can’t have shrimp (allergic) but crab is fine. So I’m saving this recipe because it seems I could double the crabmeat to replace the shrimp. Crabmeat salad sandwiches have always been a favorite lunch for me. Thanks for this recipe!
Yes doubling the crabmeat would be a great option. Enjoy!
What a wonderful salad!! So yummy; will be making this again and again!!
Thanks Amy!!
I’m glad you like it! I also love a good pasta salad. Especially in the summer!