If you adore fresh, vibrant flavors that celebrate the sea, then this Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe is destined to become one of your absolute favorites. Packed with tender shrimp, sweet lump crab meat, crisp veggies, and a zesty lemon-Dijon dressing, it’s the perfect dish to brighten up any lunch or dinner. It’s refreshing, light, yet satisfying, and the textures—from the perfectly cooked pasta to the juicy cherry tomatoes—make every bite a little celebration. Whether you’re preparing a casual family meal or impressing friends at a summer gathering, this salad is simple, spectacular, and totally crave-worthy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role in creating a balance of taste, texture, and color. From the chewy pasta that serves as a hearty base to the fresh herbs adding a burst of green, these simple essentials come together effortlessly to create a flavorful and visually stunning dish.
- 8 oz rotini or bowtie pasta: These shapes hold the dressing beautifully and add a fun, chewy texture.
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined: Tender and flavorful, shrimp brings that classic seafood taste.
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat: Sweet, delicate crab meat elevates the salad with luxury and richness.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved: Bursting with sweetness and vibrant color for freshness.
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber: Adds a cool crunch and lightness to balance the seafood.
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion: Provides a subtle bite and lovely purple hue.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley: Brightens the salad with herbal freshness and color.
- 1/4 cup olive oil: The base for a luscious dressing that brings all flavors together.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: Adds zesty acidity that wakes up the palate.
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard: Gives the dressing a gentle tang and smooth texture.
- 1 garlic clove, minced: Infuses the salad with subtle savory depth.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: Essential seasoning to enhance every ingredient.
How to Make Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly
Start by boiling your choice of rotini or bowtie pasta until it’s just al dente — tender but still with a bit of bite. This ensures the pasta has enough texture to hold the dressing without becoming mushy. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process. This step also helps keep the pasta from sticking together when tossed with other ingredients.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until smooth and emulsified. This bright, tangy dressing is the heart of the salad and coats every bite with punchy flavor.
Step 3: Combine Pasta and Seafood
Add the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, and delicate lump crab meat to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together, making sure to preserve the crab meat lumps for those delightful bites of sweetness throughout.
Step 4: Add Fresh Vegetables and Herbs
Next, toss in halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley. These ingredients not only brighten the flavor but also bring wonderful textures and visual appeal that make this salad irresistible.
Step 5: Chill and Let Flavors Meld
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to marry beautifully — the lemony dressing seeps into the pasta while the seafood and vegetables soak up the zesty notes, making every forkful bursting with harmonized taste.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve this Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe chilled or at room temperature for maximum flavor. It’s perfect as a main dish on a warm day or as a standout side at your next gathering.
How to Serve Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your presentation, sprinkle extra fresh parsley or even some thinly sliced lemon wedges on top. A few pinches of cracked black pepper or a light drizzle of olive oil before serving can add that finishing touch that invites people to dig in.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or garlic butter toast to soak up any leftover dressing. For a fuller meal experience, serve alongside a light green salad or grilled seasonal vegetables for added freshness and color on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the salad in mini glass jars or individual bowls for parties. You can also stack it on leafy lettuce cups for an elegant appetizer or turn it into a picnic-ready dish by packing it in airtight containers for easy transport.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and the freshness of the seafood.
Freezing
Because of the fresh vegetables and delicate seafood, this pasta salad is not recommended for freezing as it can compromise texture and flavor. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a couple of days of preparation.
Reheating
Since this is a cold salad, reheating isn’t necessary — in fact, reheating can make the seafood rubbery and the veggies wilty. Simply serve straight from the fridge or let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use fresh shrimp instead of cooked shrimp?
Absolutely! Just be sure to cook and cool the shrimp before adding them to the salad to keep everything safe and perfectly textured.
Is lump crab meat necessary, or can I use imitation crab?
While lump crab meat offers the best flavor and texture, imitation crab can be a budget-friendly alternative though it has a different taste and consistency.
Can I make this salad vegan or vegetarian?
To create a vegetarian or vegan version, simply omit the seafood and add protein-rich ingredients like chickpeas or artichoke hearts, along with extra veggies for texture and flavor.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Rotini or bowtie pasta are ideal because their shapes capture the dressing and small ingredients well, but penne or shells work beautifully too.
How do I prevent the salad from becoming soggy?
Rinse the pasta with cold water thoroughly, and keep the dressed salad refrigerated until ready to serve. Toss gently to avoid breaking up the crab meat and vegetables.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious, and this Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe fits that description perfectly. It’s a refreshing and satisfying way to enjoy seafood that feels both elegant and approachable. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a regular on your table — it’s the kind of recipe that brings smiles and seconds every time!
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Seafood Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Seafood Pasta Salad featuring succulent shrimp and lump crab meat tossed with rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon-Dijon dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this salad is served chilled to highlight its bright, savory flavors.
Ingredients
Pasta and Seafood
- 8 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the rotini or bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again thoroughly to remove excess water.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a tangy and flavorful dressing.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked and cooled pasta, shrimp, lump crab meat, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss the Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure the seafood and vegetables are evenly coated with the lemon-Dijon dressing without breaking up the crab meat.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Serve: Serve the seafood pasta salad chilled or at room temperature as a light and refreshing meal or side dish.
Notes
- Be sure to pick through the crab meat carefully to remove any shells.
- You can substitute shrimp and crab with other cooked seafood like scallops or lobster for variety.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or fresh dill.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free if needed.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
