Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

Fresh Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe: Cool Summer Comfort

Seafood lovers often crave a delightful seafood pasta salad that bursts with fresh flavors and ocean-inspired goodness.

Mixing tender shrimp, succulent crab, and delicate scallops creates a mouthwatering Mediterranean-style dish.

Crisp vegetables add vibrant colors and crunch to this light summer meal.

Zesty herbs and a tangy vinaigrette bring remarkable depth to each forkful.

Chilled ingredients make this recipe perfect for warm afternoons when you want something refreshing and satisfying.

Simple ingredients combine to create an impressive plate that looks like it came from a gourmet restaurant.

Let’s dive into a culinary adventure that will make you the star of any summer gathering.

FAQs

  • Can I use other types of seafood in this salad?

Yes, you can substitute crabmeat with shrimp, imitation crab, or a mix of different seafood for variety and personal preference.

  • Is this pasta salad healthy?

While delicious, it’s moderately high in calories due to mayonnaise. For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt or low-fat mayonnaise to reduce calories.

  • How long can I keep this pasta salad in the refrigerator?

This seafood pasta salad stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming.

  • Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, preparing it a day in advance allows the flavors to blend and develop, making the salad even more delicious.

  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like shrimp or imitation crab to match your taste preferences and pantry availability.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, summer gatherings, and family reunions where you need a delicious make-ahead dish that serves multiple people.
  • No-Fuss Preparation: Simple mixing technique requires minimal cooking skills, making it accessible for beginners and seasoned home cooks alike.
  • Versatile Summer Staple: Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light main course that keeps well in the refrigerator and tastes even better after marinating.

Ingredients List for Seafood Pasta Salad

For the Pasta:
  • Pasta: A classic base that provides a hearty texture and carries the flavors of the salad.
For the Seafood:
  • Crabmeat: Adds a delicate, sweet seafood flavor and protein to the salad.
For the Vegetables and Extras:
  • Celery, Peas: Fresh vegetables that contribute crunch and a pop of green color to the dish.
For the Dressing:
  • Mayonnaise, Sugar, Vinegar, Milk, Salt, Pepper: A creamy and tangy mixture that binds the ingredients together and enhances the overall taste of the seafood pasta salad.

How to Prepare a Flavorful Seafood Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring water to a rolling boil.

Drop in pasta and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down quickly.

Step 2: Prep Seafood and Vegetables

Grab your cutting board and knife. Finely chop crisp celery into small, uniform pieces.

Break apart fresh crabmeat into bite-sized chunks. Run warm water over frozen peas to gently defrost them, allowing them to reach room temperature.

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing

In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Creamy mayonnaise
  • Granulated sugar
  • White vinegar
  • Whole milk
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Blend these ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine All Ingredients

Pour cooled pasta into the creamy dressing.

Add chopped celery, crabmeat, and defrosted peas. Gently fold everything together, ensuring each pasta piece gets evenly coated with the delicious dressing.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Sample the seafood pasta salad. Adjust flavors by adding more salt, sugar, or mayonnaise until the taste meets your preference.

Remember, seasoning is personal.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for several hours.

This allows flavors to meld and develop. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Tips to Enhance Your Seafood Pasta Salad

  • Rinse pasta immediately with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, ensuring perfect texture for your seafood pasta salad.
  • Defrost frozen peas quickly under hot running water, maintaining their bright color and crisp texture for a fresh, vibrant dish.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings gradually, adding small amounts of salt, sugar, or mayonnaise to achieve a balanced, creamy flavor profile.
  • Chill the salad for at least 2-3 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more cohesive, delicious taste.
  • Swap crabmeat with imitation crab, shrimp, or even canned tuna for a budget-friendly alternative that still delivers great seafood flavor.

Exciting Variations of Seafood Pasta Salad

  • Mediterranean Seafood Pasta: Replace crabmeat with shrimp and add diced cucumber, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Use olive oil and lemon juice instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
  • Protein-Packed Seafood Salad: Swap crabmeat with canned tuna or salmon. Include diced hard-boiled eggs and replace sugar with Greek yogurt for extra protein and creaminess.
  • Vegan Ocean-Inspired Pasta: Use plant-based crab alternative or hearts of palm. Substitute mayonnaise with vegan mayo, add nutritional yeast, and include chopped seaweed for oceanic flavor.

Pairings That Go Well with Seafood Pasta Salad

  • Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with bright acidity that complements the seafood's delicate flavor and cuts through the creamy mayonnaise dressing.
  • Craft Cocktail Match: Mix a zesty gin and tonic with fresh lime, creating a refreshing drink that highlights the salad's light and cool summer essence.
  • Sparkling Companion: Select a chilled Prosecco or dry champagne to add effervescence and provide a delightful contrast to the rich, creamy seafood pasta salad texture.
  • Herb-Infused Beverage: Prepare a cucumber-mint water or light herbal spritzer that echoes the salad's fresh ingredients and provides a clean, cooling accompaniment.

Storing Seafood Pasta Salad Safely and Fresh

Store seafood pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the container sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.

Avoid freezing this pasta salad as mayonnaise-based dressings tend to separate and become watery when thawed, compromising texture and taste.

Gently stir the chilled pasta salad before serving to redistribute ingredients. If too cold, let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften and enhance flavors.

Add a splash of fresh mayonnaise or a drizzle of olive oil when serving to refresh the salad’s creamy consistency and revive its original taste.

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Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
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Description

Mediterranean seafood pasta salad dances with ocean-fresh flavors, bringing coastal Italian charm to your table. Crisp vegetables, tender shrimp, and zesty herbs mingle in this light summer dish you’ll crave all season long.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound imitation crabmeat, chopped
  • 1 12 (8 ounce) packages tri-color pasta
  • 1 cup frozen green peas, defrosted
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped

Dressing Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 12 tablespoons white sugar

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 14 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare a generously sized pot with a light salt sprinkle, bringing water to a rolling boil at high heat. Cook pasta for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender, ensuring an al dente texture.
  2. Drain pasta immediately and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking process and rapidly cool down the noodles.
  3. While pasta cooks, finely dice celery into uniform small pieces and gently break apart crabmeat into delicate fragments.
  4. Quickly thaw frozen peas by running warm water over them, allowing them to soften and reach room temperature.
  5. In a spacious mixing bowl, create a creamy dressing by vigorously whisking mayonnaise with sugar, vinegar, milk, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
  6. Gently fold the cooled pasta, chopped celery, and delicate crabmeat into the prepared dressing, ensuring every ingredient receives an even, luxurious coating.
  7. Taste the salad and carefully adjust seasoning, potentially adding more salt, sugar, or mayonnaise to achieve the perfect flavor balance.
  8. Refrigerate the seafood pasta salad for a minimum of 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile before serving chilled.

Notes

  • Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or shells to help sauce cling better and create more interesting texture.
  • Swap crabmeat with imitation crab, shrimp, or canned tuna for different protein options and budget-friendly variations.
  • Prepare this salad a day in advance to allow flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
  • Reduce mayonnaise calories by substituting half with Greek yogurt or using light mayonnaise without compromising creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 271 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 456 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Creating single-serving recipes tailored for individuals, small households, or meal preppers
  • Culinary arts with a focus on clean plating and natural styling for food photography
  • Working with fermented ingredients and dairy-based cooking techniques
  • Designing seasonal menus that use fresh, locally sourced produce

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Gained hands-on experience in professional kitchens, learning advanced recipe development, seasonal ingredient sourcing, and simple, beautiful food presentation.

ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR

  • Program: Food Safety Certification
    Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.

Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.

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