Crab Shrimp Pasta Salad A Summer Classic with a Zing

Crab Shrimp Pasta Salad A Summer Classic With A

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) pasta, such as rotini, farfalle (bow tie), or penne
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces (225g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (225g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
• 1/2 cup (75g) red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup (150g) celery, finely diced
• 1/2 cup (75g) red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 cup (75g) yellow bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/4 cup (30g) fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup (30g) fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• Extra parsley (optional)

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss with olive oil and set aside to cool.
• If using raw shrimp, cook them by poaching, steaming, or sautéing until pink and opaque. Cool slightly and cut into bite-sized pieces. If using pre-cooked shrimp, simply ensure they are defrosted.
• Dice the red onion, celery, and bell peppers. Chop the parsley and dill.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, crab meat, red onion, celery, bell peppers, parsley, and dill.
• Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently toss to combine. Be careful not to break up the crab meat too much.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with lemon wedges and extra parsley before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450

Fat:25g

Fiber:3g

Recipe Info

Category:Salad

Cuisine:Mediterranean

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy something summery? Craving a bit of seaside flavour? This seafood pasta salad crab and shrimp recipe is exactly what you need.

It is zesty, fresh, and seriously delicious. Trust me, you'll love it!

Brief Overview

This crab pasta salad recipe is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. It's super easy to make (honestly!), taking around 30 minutes plus chilling time.

This recipe serves about 6 people. It's great for sharing, you know?

Main Benefits

The highlight? It's packed with lean protein and healthy fats. The summer pasta salad is perfect for a barbecue. Honestly, what makes this recipe special is its fresh flavour.

It will brightens up any meal!

Diving into Delight: Why This Seafood Pasta Salad Rocks

Ever wondered what makes a picnic pasta salad recipe a real winner? It is the balance of flavours. This one nails it! The crab and shrimp salad is elevated with a zesty lemon dressing.

It's light, bright, and totally irresistible.

This recipe is a tribute to those lazy summer days. It's simple enough for a weeknight dinner. It's fancy enough for a garden party.

The key? Fresh ingredients. Seriously, they make all the difference.

The Magic Ingredients: Building the Best Crab Salad Pasta

We're talking pasta, obviously. Use rotini, penne, or farfalle, whatever you fancy! Then, we have the stars of the show: crab and shrimp.

Don't skimp on the quality! Fresh veggies like red onion, celery, and bell peppers add a satisfying crunch. Finally, a lemon-herb dressing ties it all together.

It is like a burst of sunshine.

Honestly, a great seafood pasta salad dressing can make or break the dish. We're going for a light, zesty vinaigrette.

Think lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a touch of garlic. Yum! A Mediterranean seafood pasta salad vibe, you know? Now, let's get cooking!

Alright, let's talk ingredients! You know, the good stuff that makes this seafood pasta salad sing. This isn't just any old pasta salad; it's a party in your mouth, thanks to the fresh flavors we're about to unleash.

This crab pasta salad recipe will surprise everyone at your next picnic!

Ingredients & Equipment Deets

Honestly, sourcing the right ingredients is half the battle. Trust me, I've had my fair share of "meh" salads, and it almost always comes down to skimping on quality.

This summer pasta salad will be far from “meh”!

Main Ingredients – Let's Get Specific

• Pasta: 1 pound (450g) rotini, farfalle, or penne. Seriously, use a good brand. You want that pasta to hold its shape. Also, cook it al dente . Trust me on this one! Soggy pasta is the worst.
• Cooked Shrimp: 8 ounces (225g) . Medium or large size, peeled and deveined. Quality shrimp is key here, folks. Avoid anything that smells overly fishy, it should have a clean, fresh scent.
• Lump Crab Meat: 8 ounces (225g) . This is where you want to splurge. Good quality lump crab and shrimp salad meat makes all the difference in this seafood pasta salad crab and shrimp summer delight. Cheaper stuff can be… well, disappointing.
• Red Onion: 1/2 cup (75g) , finely diced.
• Celery: 1 cup (150g) , finely diced.
• Red Bell Pepper: 1/2 cup (75g) , finely diced.
• Yellow Bell Pepper: 1/2 cup (75g) , finely diced.
• Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup (30g) , chopped.
• Fresh Dill: 1/4 cup (30g) , chopped.

Seasoning Notes – Spice It Up!

For this seafood pasta salad dressing :

• Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup (120ml) .
• Olive Oil: 1/4 cup (60ml) .
• Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons , freshly squeezed. Fresh is always better, you know?
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon .
• Garlic: 1 clove , minced.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon .
• Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch! (optional).

Quick substitution: If you're out of Dijon, a little English mustard will do in a pinch. Adds a bit more of a kick though! Feel free to add some dried oregano or some capers to make this a Mediterranean seafood pasta salad .

Equipment Needed – Keep It Simple

• Large pot: For cooking the pasta.
• Colander: For draining the pasta. Obvs.
• Large mixing bowl: To toss everything together.
• Small bowl: For the dressing.
• Whisk: To make that dressing smooth and dreamy.

Alright, let's get cracking on this seafood pasta salad ! Picture this: sunshine, a checkered tablecloth, maybe some Pimms… and this beauty on the table. It's proper picnic pasta salad recipe fodder!

Let's Talk Cooking Method: Seafood Pasta Salad Crab and Style

Right, so you fancy making this seafood pasta salad crab and all its glory? Great! It's simpler than you think.

I’m not kidding; it’s practically foolproof. Even I, a self-confessed kitchen klutz, managed it first time around!

Prep Steps: The Key to Success!

Honestly, mise en place is your best friend. Get everything chopped, measured, and ready to go. Dicing the red onion, celery, and bell peppers beforehand saves a ton of time.

Also, make that dressing first! It’ll give the flavours time to mingle. Pro tip: always taste and adjust seasonings.

Step-by-Step: Keep It Simple, Silly!

Here's the lowdown:

1. Cook 450g of your fave pasta until al dente.
2. Cook 225g of shrimp and chop into bite-sized pieces.
3. Dice your veggies like the 1/2 cup (75g) red onion, 1 cup (150g) celery , etc.
4. Whisk that dressing (mayo, lemon, garlic, the works!).
5. Toss it all together! Be gentle with the 225g crab meat !
6. Chill for at least 30 minutes .
7. Serve this summer pasta salad !

Pro Tips: From My Kitchen to Yours

Want to up your game? Here are a couple of secrets:

First, don’t overcook the pasta. It needs to be al dente or it turns to mush. No one wants mushy crab pasta salad recipe ! Second, high-quality crab is key.

Spring for the good stuff. Avoid the common mistake of adding too much dressing. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

For a Mediterranean seafood pasta salad , throw in some sun-dried tomatoes and olives.

This shrimp pasta salad is divine when chilled for a few hours. The flavors deepen, and it's even more refreshing.

Honestly, seafood pasta salad dressing makes all the difference. Enjoy it is fresh, flavourful, light twist on a classic summer salad.

Recipe Notes: My Two Cents

Right then, let's chat about some extra bits and bobs to make this seafood pasta salad crab and recipe your own. Honestly, a recipe is just a starting point. Get creative!

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Forget just chucking it in a bowl! For a BBQ, pile it high on a platter. Garnish with lemon wedges and a few extra sprigs of parsley.

For a posh picnic pasta salad recipe , portion it into individual mason jars. How cute is that? Serve it with a crisp glass of white wine or a refreshing elderflower cordial.

A nice summer pasta salad should look the part, you know?

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh

Refrigeration Guidelines: This crab pasta salad recipe is best eaten within 2 days. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Always make sure it’s properly chilled. Freezing Options: I wouldn’t recommend freezing it. The mayonnaise might split, and the pasta can get a bit mushy.

Reheating Instructions: Nope! This is strictly a cold dish.

Variations: Make it Yours

Fancy a change?

Dietary Adaptations: To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Simple! You could also swap the mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: In the autumn, try adding roasted butternut squash. For winter, some blood orange segments would be amazing.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl

Okay, so it's not health food, but it's got some good stuff. You get protein from the crab and shrimp.

Veggies offer vitamins. It’s a balanced meal. You know, the kind of thing that makes you feel good after eating it.

Just don't go overboard on the mayo! Many people like the taste of seafood pasta salad dressing , but everything in moderation, right? We also have a lot of folks looking for a Mediterranean seafood pasta salad version - add some olives and feta to get that taste!

So, there you have it! My take on making the perfect shrimp pasta salad . Don't be afraid to experiment and have a go.

And if you are looking for other versions you can also try a crab salad pasta that may or may not contain pasta.

I've always preferred the inclusion of the pasta, as its flavor blends very well together. And if you end up making too much, share it with friends, it makes a great gift.

You got this! Have fun whipping up this pasta salad with crab and shrimp and let me know how it goes.