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–+ servings
Crab Pasta Salad Recipe

Best Creamy Crab Pasta Salad Recipe - A Summer Favorite

Melisha Kreppein
Savor the flavors of summer with our Crab Pasta Salad recipe! Quick, easy, and delicious, it’s perfect for picnics, parties, or a light meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Course Lunch, Pasta, Salad, Seafood, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 337 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box medium pasta shells
  • ¾ cup frozen peas thawed
  • 16 oz imitation crab meat chopped
  • ½ cup red onion diced small
  • ½ cup celery diced small
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced small

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh squeezed
  • 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix
  • ½ tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped

Garnish

  • 1 green onion chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Take the peas out of the freezer and allow to thaw while you're preparing the other ingredients.
  • Following the package directions, cook the pasta to al dente doneness. Rinse with cold water to cool and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  • Chop the red onion, celery, and red bell pepper into small pieces.
  • Chop the imitation crab meat into larger bite-sized pieces.
  • Make the sauce. In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, Italian dressing seasoning mix, lemon juice, black pepper, Old Bay Seasoning, and fresh dill. Stir together until well mixed.
  • Combine all ingredients and the prepared sauce in a large bowl. Gently fold together until everything is mixed well and covered in the sauce.
  • Place in an airtight container and refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight.

Notes

Flavor Variations

Here are some additional ingredients you might like to try in this crab pasta salad.
  • Hard-boiled eggs: They add a lovely richness that complements the crab beautifully. 
  • Dill pickles: For that crunch and tangy zip, dill pickles can be a game-changer. 
  • Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle some on top for that salty, umami kick. 
  • Bow-tie pasta: Swapping out shell pasta for bow-tie pasta gives the salad a whole new look and texture. 
  • Olives: Whether you go for green or black, olives can add a nice salty bite. 
  • Salad shrimp: Adding salad shrimp along with crab meat can amplify the seafood goodness and make your salad even more indulgent. 

Sauce Variations

Here are some additional ingredients you may want to incorporate into your dressing.
  • sour cream for a tangy kick
  • Dijon mustard for a zesty tang
  • celery salt for those who don’t like raw celery in their salad
  • garlic powder and onion powder – These are good options if you don’t have a packet of Italian dressing seasoning mix.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 44.4gProtein: 15.7gFat: 11.1gSaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 1703mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 13.8gCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Pasta Salad, side dish
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