Description
A refreshing and flavorful Seafood Pasta Salad featuring tender shrimp, lump crab meat, and a zesty lemon-Dijon dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, this salad combines al dente pasta with fresh vegetables and herbs for a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
Seafood
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini or bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down, then drain again thoroughly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. This will create a bright and tangy dressing to coat the pasta and seafood.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, lump crab meat, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss gently: Carefully toss all the ingredients together to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing without breaking up the delicate seafood.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This resting time helps the flavors meld beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the seafood pasta salad chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing meal.
Notes
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead or the day before, allowing flavors to develop even more.
- Use fresh lump crab meat for the best texture and taste, but imitation crab can be substituted if needed.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference.
- For extra crunch, consider adding finely chopped celery or bell peppers.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
