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Seafood Pasta Salad

Zesty Seafood Pasta Salad for Your Perfect Summer Picnic

A refreshing Seafood Pasta Salad perfect for summer picnics, featuring shrimp, imitation crab, and crisp veggies for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Base
  • 8 ounces small pasta (shells or rotini)
For the Protein
  • 1 pound fresh or pre-cooked shrimp If using fresh, cook until pink and opaque.
  • 8 ounces imitation crab meat Real crab can be used for an upscale twist.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup celery Diced finely.
  • 1 cup red bell pepper Diced for sweetness.
  • 1 small red onion Finely diced.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise Creamy base of the dressing.
  • 1/2 cup sour cream Adds tanginess.
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Boosts flavor depth.
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice Essential for brightness.
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning For distinct seafood flavor.
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
For Garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley Chopped.
  • to taste paprika Optional.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • large mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 7-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. If using fresh shrimp, boil in another pot for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. If using pre-cooked shrimp, chop into pieces. Let shrimp cool.
  3. Finely dice celery, red bell pepper, and red onion. Chop fresh parsley and set aside.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, shrimp, imitation crab, and chopped vegetables. Pour dressing over and toss gently.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, give a gentle stir and garnish with parsley and optional paprika.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Customize by adding ingredients like avocado or spicy jalapeños for extra flavor.

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