Description
This creamy Seaside Pasta Salad is packed with tender shrimp, sweet crab meat, rotini pasta, crisp vegetables, and a tangy lemon herb dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead seafood pasta salad for summer cookouts, picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
For the Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Allow to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooled pasta, shrimp, crab meat, celery, cucumber, bell pepper, green onions, and parsley to the bowl.
- Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Garnish with additional parsley, lemon wedges, and a light sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning if desired.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
- Use fresh lump crab meat for the best flavor.
- Make this pasta salad up to 24 hours ahead of serving.
- Pat seafood dry before mixing to prevent excess moisture.
- Rotini, cavatappi, shells, or bowtie pasta all work well.
- For extra seafood flavor, add cooked bay scallops or lobster meat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 MINUTES
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American