Creamy Cold Seafood Salad with Pasta & Shrimp

This cold seafood salad recipe is full of flavor and is oh-so pretty. I combine imitation crab and shrimp with pasta, crunchy bell peppers, and green onions, then dress with a special sauce that will get your taste buds dancing. It's a great tasting easy pasta salad recipe to serve at your next social gathering or cookout. 

 

The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.

Summer proves itself to be the best season ever because that's when all the barbecues occur. Family and friends gather, fire up the grill, and invite guests to bring the side dishes and desserts. The most popular side dish at the barbecues I attend is the pasta salad. There are many pasta salads in existence, but my favorite of all favorites is a cold seafood salad with pasta.

I make my seafood pasta salad with imitation crab, but you can use fresh crab if you prefer. This is the best seafood salad recipe I've come up with and is exactly how I like to eat it.

If you enjoy cold salads, then try some of these great-tasting salad recipes. My Tuna Pasta Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe, Thai Cucumber Salad, Vietnamese Chicken Salad, and my Carrot Raisin Salad.

A Quick Look at the Ingredients

Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Here's what you will need to make this cold seafood salad recipe:

• Pasta - I've used medium-sized seashell pasta, but you can use any size or shape of pasta in this easy seafood salad recipe.
• Vegetables - I've used a combination of chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and green onions.
• Crab - forms the base of this salad. I use imitation crab meat, but you can use fresh crab meat if you prefer.
• Shrimp - I use medium-sized cooked shrimp, but you can add any size of shrimp.
• Dressing - I combine mayonnaise with French dressing to form the base of the sauce to coat this salad.
• Seasoning - I use a combination of Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to season the dressing.

How to make the best seafood salad recipe

Step 1: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and set it aside.

Step 2: Add mayonnaise, French dressing, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a big bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined.

Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl, including the cooked and cooled pasta shells. Stir until combined and all ingredients are coated in the sauce.

Step 4: Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 2-4 hours. Enjoy

Tanya's Expert Tips for this Seafood Salad

These tips will help you make the best cold seafood salad recipe you've ever tried. 

• Now, this seafood salad must be served cold, which is why it is a cold seafood salad recipe. Then again, who am I to be a stickler for the rules? Serve warm if you like.
• This salad is best when left to sit in the refrigerator to chill and allow the flavors to meld together.
• When cutting the vegetables, chop them into bite-sized cubes, which makes it easier to eat.

Flavor variations

• Crab and shrimp form the base of this salad, but you can use any combination of seafood that you like to eat.
• I've used sliced green onions, but red onions would be a great swap.
• Add in extra vegetables like chopped tomatoes, celery, or cucumber.
• Stir through some fresh herbs like dill, basil, or parsley.
• I've used regular mayonnaise, but you can use low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt if you prefer.
• A touch of lemon zest and/or juice is an excellent addition to this salad.

How to Serve Seafood Salad

This salad is perfect for summer cookouts and gatherings, serving well alongside grilled meat or seafood.

For a tasty dinner, serve it alongside my Air Fryer Steak with Garlic Herb Butter, Air Fryer Steak Kebabs, or my Marinated Air Fryer Salmon.

It also makes a great lunch on the go; I often bring this salad to work when I make it the night before.

How to Store Seafood Pasta Salad

Make ahead: This is a great make-ahead dish. Prepare the salad earlier in the day or the day before, then cover the bowl and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.

To refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

FAQs

If you have tried this cold seafood pasta dish, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

This post was originally published on June 27, 2016. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.