Zippy Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe: Ocean-Fresh Summer Delight

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that satisfy without weighing you down, and this seafood pasta salad hits every delicious note.

Tender shrimp and delicate crab meat dance through a colorful medley of crisp vegetables and perfectly cooked pasta.

The zesty dressing brings a bright, tangy kick that awakens your taste buds with each forkful.

Fresh herbs scattered throughout add an aromatic depth that makes this dish truly special.

Chilled and packed with maritime flavors, this pasta salad transforms simple ingredients into a stunning meal.

Packed with protein and bursting with coastal charm, you’ll want to make this recipe again and again.

Serve it at your next gathering and watch as everyone asks for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s Included In Seafood Pasta Salad

• Rotini Pasta: Spiral-shaped pasta that perfectly traps dressing and adds delightful texture to the salad.
• Elbow Macaroni: Compact pasta that works wonderfully for holding onto creamy elements of the dish.

• Shrimp: Fresh, sweet ocean protein that brings a delicate maritime flavor; look for firm, translucent pieces without any fishy smell.
• Crab Meat: Tender, delicate seafood that adds luxurious richness; choose lump or imitation based on preference and budget.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable that provides refreshing crunch and subtle peppery undertone; select bright green stalks with no wilting.
• Red Bell Pepper: Vibrant vegetable adding sweet, colorful dimension and loads of vitamin C; pick firm peppers with glossy skin.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zingy ingredient that introduces bold flavor contrast; choose firm bulbs with tight, papery skin.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that brings fresh, herbaceous notes and beautiful green color; select perky, deep green leaves.

• Mayonnaise: Smooth, tangy base that creates rich, creamy texture; opt for full-fat version for best flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and velvety consistency to the dressing; choose regular or light version.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, complex flavor kick; select smooth, bright yellow variety.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens entire dish with citrusy acidity; use fresh-squeezed for most flavor.

Gear You Need For Seafood Pasta Salad

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta and seafood with enough space to cook ingredients thoroughly.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta and rinsing under cold water quickly.
• Small mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking together creamy, zesty dressing ingredients.
• Large mixing bowl: Necessary for combining all salad components and tossing gently.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending dressing ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Cutting board: Required for chopping vegetables and herbs with precision.
• Sharp knife: Helps chop celery, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley neatly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for balanced flavor.

How To Toss Together Seafood Pasta Salad

• Pasta Magic

Dive into a pot of boiling water and transform your pasta into a perfectly tender canvas. Drain the pasta and let it cool down, becoming the foundation of your oceanic feast.

• Seafood Symphony

Gently poach your seafood treasures until they turn a delicate pink, whispering stories of the sea. Let them rest and collect their flavors before joining the party.

• Creamy Whispers

Create a luscious dressing that will hug every ingredient with tangy, creamy goodness. Mix mayonnaise, a splash of zesty lemon, a hint of mustard, and a sprinkle of seasoning to awaken your taste buds.

• Coastal Fusion

Bring all your ocean-inspired ingredients together in a generous bowl. Toss them softly, allowing each morsel to dance with the creamy dressing, creating a harmonious coastal melody.

• Chill and Savor

Let your seafood masterpiece rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to intertwine and deepen. When ready, serve this cool, refreshing journey that captures the essence of seaside summers.

Tips To Add Flavor To Seafood Pasta Salad

• Smart Seafood Pasta Salad Tweaks
• Texture Master Tip: Rinse pasta with ice water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring each pasta piece stays perfectly separate and cool for the salad.
• Budget-Friendly Swap: Replace expensive seafood with canned tuna or imitation crab meat for a more affordable version that still delivers delicious flavor.
• Dietary Flexibility: Make this recipe gluten-free by using chickpea or rice pasta, and swap regular mayo for vegan mayonnaise to accommodate different dietary needs.
• Spice Level Boost: Add a kick by mixing in jalapeño peppers, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a zesty seafood pasta experience.
• Fresh Herb Alternative: Experiment with dill, chives, or basil instead of parsley to create unique flavor profiles that complement the seafood's natural taste.

Seafood Pasta Salad Plating Ideas

• Seaside Picnic Perfection: Pack this pasta salad in a cute cooler for a beach day, complete with chilled drinks and beach towels.
• Backyard BBQ Buddy: Serve alongside grilled meats as a refreshing side dish that complements smoky flavors and adds a cool, creamy texture.
• Lunch Meal Prep Magic: Portion into individual containers for a grab-and-go lunch option that stays fresh for 23 days in the refrigerator, making healthy eating a breeze.
• Gourmet Appetizer Twist: Serve small portions in fancy shot glasses or on small appetizer spoons for an elegant party starter that looks impressive and tastes amazing.

How To Store Seafood Pasta Salad And Keep It Cool

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the seafood pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping it chilled for up to 3 days. This helps maintain the crisp vegetables and protects the delicate seafood texture.
• Separation Technique: Keep dressing separate from salad ingredients if planning to store for multiple days, which prevents soggy pasta and maintains the salad's vibrant crunch and appealing presentation.
• Smart Portioning Approach: Divide the salad into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches, ensuring convenient and quick meal planning throughout the week. These single-serving portions stay fresh and appetizing.
• Temperature Safety Check: Always keep the seafood pasta salad refrigerated at or below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth. Discard the salad if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, prioritizing food safety and your health.

Vibrant Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean seafood pasta salad brings fresh coastal flavors to your summer table. Fresh shrimp, tender calamari, and zesty herbs combine with al dente pasta for a light, refreshing meal you’ll crave.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ lb (225 g) shrimp, cooked and peeled
• ½ lb (225 g) crab meat or imitation crab
• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
• ½ cup (75 g) celery, diced
• ½ cup (75 g) red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup (35 g) red onion, finely diced
• ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 g) sour cream
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning or paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup (30 g) fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Immerse pasta in heavily salted boiling water, cooking until al dente. Immediately rinse under cold water to cease cooking and prevent sticking, then drain thoroughly.
2. Seafood Processing: Poach shrimp in gently simmering water until they turn pink and translucent. Quickly transfer to an ice bath to lock in their delicate texture. Similarly handle crab meat with gentle care to maintain its pristine quality.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, adjusting seasonings to create a harmonious and tangy flavor profile.
4. Salad Assembly: Combine chilled pasta, poached shrimp, crab meat, diced celery, bell pepper, red onion, and chopped parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour prepared dressing over ingredients, folding gently to ensure even distribution without fragmenting the seafood’s delicate structure.
5. Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the completed salad in a sealed container for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Serve well-chilled as a refreshing summer dish that showcases the ocean’s finest offerings.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushiness, which can ruin the salad’s texture.
• Seafood Shock Technique: Immediately plunge poached shrimp into an ice bath to stop cooking and lock in tender, juicy qualities, preventing rubbery texture.
• Flavor Infusion Strategy: Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
• Dressing Balance Hack: Adjust seasoning gradually and taste repeatedly to create a perfectly balanced dressing that complements the delicate seafood without overpowering it.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg