Seafood Pasta with Shrimp & Crab

Cold pasta salad loaded with shrimp and crab in a creamy lemon dressing. Perfect for summer dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

→ Pasta & Seafood

01 8 oz rotini, penne, or your favorite pasta shape
02 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and ready to go
03 1 cup fresh crab meat, picked through for shells

→ Fresh Vegetables

04 1/2 cup celery, chopped into small pieces
05 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
06 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Creamy Dressing

07 1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
08 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
10 Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
11 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
12 Lemon wedges for serving

Steps

Step 01

Cook your pasta according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain it well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.

Step 02

In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled pasta with the shrimp, crab meat, celery, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Toss everything together carefully.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until it’s nice and smooth.

Step 04

Pour that creamy dressing over the pasta and seafood mixture. Add the fresh dill and toss everything until it’s well coated and combined.

Step 05

Pop the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let all those flavors come together. Serve it cold with lemon wedges on the side.

Tips

  1. Cook your pasta al dente so it holds up perfectly in the salad without getting mushy.
  2. Fresh seafood gives the best flavor, but you can definitely use frozen or even canned if that’s what you have.
  3. Taste and adjust the seasonings – add more lemon juice for brightness or extra dill for that fresh herb flavor.
  4. This pasta salad actually gets better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours as the flavors meld together.

Required Tools

  • Large pot for cooking pasta
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Separate bowl for making dressing
  • Whisk
  • Colander for draining pasta

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.

 

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