Description
Coastal charm meets culinary delight in this irresistible Seafood Pasta Salad, blending Mediterranean flavors with fresh ocean treasures. Crisp vegetables, tender seafood, and zesty dressing create a perfect summer dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 cup crab meat
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Pasta and Dressing
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking and quickly cool.
- Drain pasta thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Dice celery and red onion into uniform, small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, delicately combine cooled pasta, succulent shrimp, tender crab meat, crisp celery, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, tangy Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
- Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the seafood and pasta mixture, then sprinkle freshly chopped dill for an aromatic touch.
- Gently fold all ingredients, ensuring each component is evenly coated with the zesty dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for 45-60 minutes to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with bright lemon wedges for an extra citrusy kick.
- Serve chilled, preferably within 24 hours for optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is slightly firmer when boiling to prevent mushiness after chilling and mixing with dressing.
- Choose fresh, high-quality seafood for maximum flavor and texture in the salad.
- Consider replacing mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that reduces calories.
- Swap shellfish with canned tuna or grilled chicken for those with shellfish allergies or preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg