Description
Succulent seafood pasta salad brings Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to your kitchen with a refreshing blend of tender shrimp, delicate crab, and zesty herbs. Crisp vegetables and a light vinaigrette create a perfect summer dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles
- 1 (16-ounce) (454 grams) package imitation crabmeat, cut into small pieces
- 1 (4-ounce) (113 grams) package baby shrimp, chopped (precooked)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/3 cup (53 grams) celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup (53 grams) green pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley flakes
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup creamy French dressing
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Boil the egg noodles in salted water for 6-8 minutes until al dente, following package guidelines. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then set aside to cool completely.
- Finely dice green onions, celery, and green pepper into uniform small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled noodles with chopped vegetables, baby shrimp, and imitation crabmeat. Toss ingredients delicately to prevent breaking seafood pieces.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise and French dressing until smooth and well-integrated, eliminating any lumps.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the noodle and seafood mixture, using folding motions to coat every ingredient evenly without crushing delicate components.
- Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning, parsley flakes, and a pinch of salt across the salad. Gently fold to distribute seasonings throughout the dish.
- Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 2-3 hours, preferably overnight, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and check seasoning. Serve chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light summer meal.
Notes
- Optimize noodle texture by cooking al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a pleasant bite in the pasta salad.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or light sour cream for a healthier, lower-calorie dressing option that still provides creamy richness.
- Enhance protein variety by adding cooked crab meat, diced shrimp, or flaked salmon to increase seafood complexity and nutritional value.
- Boost freshness by incorporating chopped fresh herbs like dill or chives instead of dried parsley to elevate the overall flavor profile and add vibrant color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg