Description

This Crab Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining al dente shell pasta with tender imitation crab, fresh veggies, and a zesty creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or potluck, it offers a delightful balance of textures and a perfect blend of herbs and spices for a satisfying seafood salad experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 ounces small shell pasta

Dressing

1¼ cups mayonnaise
2½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1½ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
⅓ cup dill pickles, finely chopped

Salad Mix

1 cup celery, diced
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
⅓ cup green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
12 ounces imitation crab meat, chopped or flaked

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the small shell pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely. Set aside.
Prepare the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Stir in the chopped fresh dill and finely chopped dill pickles to infuse the dressing with fresh and tangy flavors.
Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, flaked imitation crab meat, diced celery, finely chopped red onion, thinly sliced green onions, and thawed peas. Mix gently to distribute the solid ingredients evenly.
Add the dressing: Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the pasta and seafood mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing, making sure not to break up the crab meat.
Chill for flavor melding: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 to 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
Serve: Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir to redistribute any dressing that may have settled. Serve cold for a refreshing and delicious dish.

Notes

For a gluten-free option, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta shells.
Use real crab meat if desired for a more authentic seafood flavor.
Add a squeeze of extra lemon juice just before serving to brighten flavors.
Make sure to chill the salad well for best taste and texture.
This salad can be prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
Old Bay seasoning can be adjusted to taste based on preferred spice level.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling and Mixing
Cuisine: American

Keywords: crab pasta salad, seafood salad, picnic salad, imitation crab recipe, pasta salad with mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning salad