Seafood Pasta Salad: How to Fix 3 Common Mistakes

Want a light dinner idea? This Seafood Pasta Salad is packed with flavor, protein, and crunch. Discover the recipe now.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

◉ Rotini or fusilli pasta 8 oz about 3 cups cooked
◉ Shrimp peeled and deveined 1 pound
◉ Imitation crab meat 8 oz
◉ Cherry tomatoes 1 cup halved
◉ Cucumber 1 medium diced
◉ Red onion 1/4 cup finely diced
◉ Celery 2 stalks finely chopped
◉ Bell pepper red or yellow 1/2 cup, diced
◉ Fresh dill 2 tablespoons chopped
◉ Fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped
◉ Mayonnaise 1/2 cup
◉ Greek yogurt 1/4 cup
◉ Lemon juice 2 tablespoons
◉ Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon
◉ Honey 1 teaspoon
◉ Garlic 2 cloves minced
◉ Old Bay seasoning 1 teaspoon
◉ Salt and pepper To taste

Instructions

❶ Step : Cook the Pasta
● Fill a large pot with approximately 4 quarts of water and bring to a vigorous, rolling boil over high heat
● Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt to the water (this seasons the pasta from within)
● Add your chosen pasta shape and cook according to package directions until just al dente (typically 8-10 minutes, but timing varies by pasta type)
● Once cooked, immediately drain pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt the cooking process
● After draining completely, transfer pasta to a bowl and toss with a light drizzle (about 1 teaspoon) of olive oil to prevent sticking
Set aside to cool completely while preparing other components
❷ Step : Prepare the Seafood
● If using raw shrimp: Fill a medium pot with water, add 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning, and bring to a boil
● Add cleaned shrimp to the seasoned water and cook for precisely 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque (timing depends on shrimp size)
● Immediately transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking and preserve their tender texture
● Once thoroughly cooled, drain completely and pat dry with paper towels before cutting into bite-sized pieces if using larger shrimp
● If using imitation crab: Remove from packaging, pat dry, and cut into uniform bite-sized chunks approximately 1/2-inch in size
❸ Step : Prepare the Vegetables
● Thoroughly wash all vegetables under cool running water and pat dry
● Chop all vegetables according to the ingredients list, maintaining relatively uniform sizes (approximately 1/4-inch dice) for visual appeal and consistent texture in every bite
● If using red onion, after dicing, place in a small bowl of cold water for 5-10 minutes to reduce sharpness and harshness while maintaining flavor
● Drain soaked onions thoroughly and pat dry before adding to your seafood pasta salad
● Combine all prepared vegetables in your large mixing bowl, creating a colorful medley ready for the other components
❹ Step : Make the Dressing
● In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, whisking until completely smooth
● Add freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and honey, incorporating fully
● Add minced garlic and Old Bay seasoning, whisking vigorously to ensure even distribution
● Continue whisking until the mixture achieves a perfectly smooth, homogeneous consistency
● Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, remembering that chilled foods require slightly more seasoning
❺ Step : Assemble the Seafood Pasta Salad
● In your largest mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, prepared seafood, and chopped vegetables
● Pour approximately three-quarters of the prepared dressing over the mixture initially
● Using two large spoons or a gentle folding motion, carefully combine all ingredients until evenly coated, taking care not to break the seafood pieces
● Assess the moisture level and add remaining dressing as needed, remembering that the pasta will absorb some moisture during chilling
● Add the fresh herbs last, folding gently to distribute without bruisingCover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container
● Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (preferably 2-3 hours) before serving to allow flavors to harmonize completely

Notes

Nutritional Information

Nutritional values per serving (approximately 1 cup) of seafood pasta salad:

Calories : 320
Protein : 18g
Carbohydrates : 32g
Dietary Fiber : 3g
Total Fat : 14g
Saturated Fat : 2g
Cholesterol : 115mg
Sodium : 580mg
Potassium : 320mg
Vitamin A : 15% DV
Vitamin C : 25% DV
Calcium : 8% DV
Iron : 10% DV

Keyword summer, salad, picnic, seafood, pasta, cold dish, healthy, easy, potluck