Zesty Summer Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe for Fresh Gatherings

Mediterranean winds whisper tales of this vibrant seafood pasta salad that bursts with fresh ingredients and zesty flavors.

Ocean-caught treasures mingle with tender pasta, creating a colorful canvas of culinary delight.

Crisp vegetables add crunch and brightness to each delectable bite.

Herbs plucked from sun-drenched gardens infuse the dish with aromatic charm.

Chilled and refreshing, this salad becomes the perfect companion for lazy summer afternoons.

Quick to assemble and impossible to resist, you’ll want to share this delightful recipe with everyone around your table.

One forkful promises a journey through coastal landscapes and delicious memories.

Why Seafood Pasta Salad Works for Summer and Beyond

• Prepare the salad ahead of time and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making meal planning a breeze.
• Easily adaptable for potlucks, summer gatherings, or light lunches with its fresh ingredients and zesty dressing.
• No complex cooking techniques required- just boil, mix, and chill for a restaurant-quality dish that anyone can master.

Ingredients That Keep It Light and Flavorful

• Pasta: Soft, chewy base for the seafood salad. Short shapes like rotini or shells work best.
• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein with sweet ocean flavor. Fresh or frozen options are good.
• Crab Meat: Sweet, delicate seafood that adds rich coastal taste. Imitation or real crab meat available.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable providing crunch and fresh texture. Choose firm, bright green stalks.
• Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetable adding sweetness and vibrant color. Red or yellow peppers recommended.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zesty ingredient for additional flavor. Thinly slice for best distribution.
• Parsley: Fresh herb bringing brightness and color. Use fresh for best taste.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base creating rich, smooth sauce. Full-fat versions provide best texture.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element adding freshness. Fresh lemons preferred over bottled.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment enhancing overall dressing flavor. Smooth variety works best.
• Old Bay Seasoning, Paprika: Spice blend providing depth and mild heat. Traditional seafood seasoning.
• Garlic Powder: Background flavor adding subtle savory note. Pure powder recommended.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced taste. Freshly ground pepper recommended.

Instructions to Toss the Salad Without Overmixing

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook pasta in salted water following package directions until tender yet firm. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Let pasta cool completely while preparing other ingredients.

Step 2: Transform Seafood Into Stars

• Boiling raw shrimp in salted water
• Cooking until shrimp turn bright pink
• Draining and cooling shrimp quickly
• Checking for complete opaque appearance

Step 3: Craft Creamy Tangy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Fresh lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Old Bay seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until smooth and taste for balanced flavors

Step 4: Create Colorful Seafood Symphony

• Cooled pasta
• Cooked shrimp
• Crab meat
• Diced celery
• Chopped bell pepper
• Minced red onion
• Chopped fresh parsley

Gently fold ingredients to distribute evenly

Step 5: Chill And Serve Magnificently

Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes. Allow flavors to mingle and develop. Serve chilled as refreshing summer meal or side dish.

Tips for a Creamy Dressing and Just-Right Pasta

• Pasta Perfection: Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or shells to help the dressing cling better and create more flavorful bites.
• Seafood Smart: Always use fresh or high-quality canned seafood to ensure the best taste and texture in your pasta salad.
• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerating the salad for a few hours allows the ingredients to marinate, intensifying the overall taste and making it even more delicious.
• Customize Creatively: Swap shrimp and crab with other seafood like imitation crab, lobster, or tuna to suit your preference or dietary needs.
• Lighten Up: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-packed alternative that still provides creamy texture and tangy flavor.

How to Store Seafood Salad Without Losing Freshness

• Store seafood pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid freezing this salad because mayonnaise-based dressings separate and become watery when thawed, compromising texture and taste.
• This pasta salad is best enjoyed cold. Do not microwave, as it will make seafood tough and destroy the delicate flavors of the dish.
• If the salad seems dry after storage, stir in a small amount of fresh mayonnaise or sour cream to restore moisture and revive the creamy texture.

Side Ideas to Match the Seafood Flavor

• Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complement the seafood's delicate flavors, cutting through the creamy dressing with their bright acidity.
• Light, refreshing rosé wines offer a perfect summer pairing, matching the salad's cool temperature and zesty profile.
• Create a light, hydrating accompaniment by infusing water with lemon, lime, or cucumber slices to echo the salad's fresh ingredients.
• A glass of prosecco or sparkling water with a splash of citrus adds a festive touch and cleanses the palate between bites.

Different Add-Ins That Change the Taste Profile

• Gluten-Free Seafood Pasta Salad: Replace traditional pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa pasta, brown rice pasta, or chickpea pasta for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan alternatives like cashew cream or dairy-free yogurt to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Low-Carb Seafood Salad: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carbohydrate option that keeps the dish protein-rich and flavorful.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Seafood Salad: Add kalamata olives, feta cheese, and swap Old Bay seasoning with dried oregano and lemon zest for a Greek-style interpretation of the classic recipe.

Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Coastal Mediterranean “Seafood Pasta Salad” delivers oceanside flavors with fresh shrimp, tender calamari, and zesty herbs. Crisp vegetables and tangy dressing create a light, refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings and quick weeknight meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• ½ pound (225 g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ pound (225 g) crab meat or imitation crab, chopped

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 12 ounces (340 g) pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
• ½ cup (75 g) celery, diced
• ½ cup (75 g) red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup (35 g) red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup (30 g) chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Dressing:

• ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 g) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta by cooking according to package guidelines until perfectly tender. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then spread on a plate to cool completely.
2. If utilizing raw shrimp, poach them in rapidly boiling water until they transform to a vibrant pink color and become fully opaque. Remove promptly and allow to cool at room temperature.
3. Craft the creamy dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, zesty lemon juice, sharp Dijon mustard, aromatic Old Bay seasoning, pungent garlic powder, and complementary salt and pepper. Taste and calibrate seasonings to personal preference.
4. Create the seafood medley by combining chilled pasta, succulent shrimp, delicate crab meat, crisp celery, colorful bell pepper, sharp red onion, and fresh parsley in a spacious mixing bowl.
5. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the seafood mixture, gently folding ingredients to ensure uniform coating without breaking delicate seafood pieces.
6. Seal the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for approximately 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop depth. Serve thoroughly chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light main course.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or shells that capture dressing and ingredients effectively for better flavor distribution.
• Seafood Selection: Use fresh or high-quality canned seafood to ensure maximum taste and texture in the salad.
• Chill for Flavor: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator helps ingredients absorb dressing and develops more complex, harmonious flavors.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly option.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg