Seafood Pasta Salad

Here’s a delicious and easy Seafood Pasta Salad recipe—perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or a light meal.

🦐 Seafood Pasta Salad

🍝 Ingredients:

• 8 oz rotini or shell pasta (or your favorite short pasta)

• 1 cup cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped if large)

• 1 cup imitation crab meat (or real crab), chopped

• 1/2 cup celery, finely diced

• 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced

• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced (optional)

• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or dill, chopped

🥣 Dressing:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best)

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.

2. Prep seafood: If using raw shrimp, cook until pink and firm (about 2–3 minutes per side in a pan with olive oil or boiled). Let cool.

3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, shrimp, crab, celery, onion, bell pepper, cucumber, peas, and herbs.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream/yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

5. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

📝 Tips:

• Add a pinch of Old Bay seasoning or paprika for a flavor boost.

• Use chilled, freshly cooked seafood for best taste.

• This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 2–3 days.