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A creamy seafood pasta salad is presented in a white serving bowl, featuring rotini pasta, pink shrimp, sliced cherry tomatoes, yellow and orange vegetables, and bright green chives or green onions.

Seafood Pasta Salad: How to Fix 3 Common Mistakes

By Nancy
Looking to impress guests? This Seafood Pasta Salad combines shrimp, pasta, and veggies for a tasty, crowd-pleasing dish. Try it tonight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • pasta rotini, elbows, or penne
  • shrimp
  • crab meat
  • celery
  • red onion
  • bell peppers
  • mayonnaise
  • emon juice
  • lemon zest
  • Dijon mustard optional
  • Salt and pepper
  • fresh parsley or dill

Instructions
 

Step 1 – Cook the Pasta

  • Boil in salted water until just al dente. Drain well (nobody likes watery pasta).

Step 2 – Prepare the Seafood

  • Lightly cook shrimp or use pre-cooked crab meat. Don’t overdo it – rubbery seafood ruins everything.

Step 3 – Chop the Veggies

  • Dice celery, onion, peppers into small, crunchy bits. The salad needs texture.

Step 4 – Make the Dressing

  • Whisk mayonnaise, lemon juice, zest, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Taste, adjust salt and pepper.

Step 5 – Combine Everything

  • Toss pasta, seafood, veggies, and dressing in a large bowl. Chill before serving.

Notes

Nutritional Information

(Approx. Per Serving)
  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
Keyword seafood pasta salad, summer salad, picnic food, potluck recipe, cold pasta salad, BBQ side dish, creamy salad