Seafood Pasta Salad – The Best Creamy Family Recipe

The first time I made Seafood Pasta Salad, it was for a last-minute family gathering where I needed something quick, comforting, and guaranteed to please everyone at the table. Growing up, my kitchen has always been about creating approachable, flavorful dishes that bring people together without stress. That’s exactly what this seafood pasta salad recipe delivers — creamy, satisfying, and simple. Inspired by my love for balanced one-pot meals and customizable comfort food, this seafood pasta salad with mayo is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love easy comfort food with bold flavor, this seafood pasta salad recipe is going to become a favorite. It’s creamy, refreshing, and loaded with tender shrimp and sweet crabmeat for that classic seafood pasta salad taste. Whether you’re making a seafood pasta salad recipe with crabmeat and shrimp for a gathering or preparing seafood pasta salad with mayo for meal prep, this dish delivers every time.

This seafood pasta salad is quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights when time is limited. It’s also customizable — use imitation crab, fresh lump crab, or extra shrimp depending on what you have. The creamy dressing ties everything together into the best seafood pasta salad recipe ever.

It’s balanced, satisfying, and perfect as a side dish or light main course. From summer BBQs to holiday tables, this seafood pasta salad with imitation crab fits every occasion while staying simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This seafood pasta salad recipe with crabmeat and shrimp combines simple pantry staples with fresh seafood for maximum flavor. The pasta provides a hearty base, while shrimp and crabmeat add sweet, tender texture. Crisp celery, red onion, and bell pepper bring crunch and color to this seafood pasta salad with mayo. The creamy dressing, seasoned with Dijon and Old Bay, creates that classic flavor found in the best seafood pasta salad recipe ever. Each ingredient works together to make this seafood pasta salad refreshing, satisfying, and perfectly balanced.

🛒 Ingredients:

For the Pasta Salad:

12 oz rotini or elbow pasta
1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
1 cup crabmeat or imitation crab, chopped
1 cup celery, finely diced
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
½ cup red bell pepper, diced
½ cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Creamy Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste

How to Make This Recipe

Making this seafood pasta salad recipe is simple and perfect for beginners. Start by cooking the pasta until al dente to create the perfect base for your seafood pasta salad. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking and keep the texture firm. Prepare your shrimp and crabmeat for a flavorful seafood pasta salad recipe with crabmeat and shrimp.

In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, Old Bay, lemon juice, and seasonings to create the creamy seafood pasta salad with mayo dressing. Combine pasta, seafood, and vegetables in a large bowl, then gently fold in the dressing until evenly coated. Chill before serving to let the flavors develop into the best seafood pasta salad recipe ever.

🛒 Steps:

Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and cool
Prepare shrimp and chop crabmeat
Dice vegetables evenly
Whisk creamy mayo dressing with seasonings
Combine pasta, seafood, vegetables, and dressing
Chill at least 1 hour before serving

Expert Cooking Tips

To elevate your seafood pasta salad recipe, always cook pasta just until al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy once mixed with the seafood pasta salad with mayo dressing. For the best seafood pasta salad recipe ever, use high-quality crabmeat or fresh shrimp whenever possible.

Chill the seafood pasta salad for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to blend. If making a seafood pasta salad with imitation crab, slice it evenly for better texture. Add lemon zest for brightness or a pinch of paprika for depth. When preparing a seafood pasta salad recipe with crabmeat and shrimp, gently fold ingredients to avoid breaking the seafood.

💡 Expert Tips:

Cook pasta al dente for best texture
Use fresh or high-quality seafood
Chill before serving for deeper flavor
Add lemon zest for brightness
Fold gently to keep seafood intact

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This seafood pasta salad recipe with crabmeat and shrimp is creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you choose fresh seafood or seafood pasta salad with imitation crab, the result is always satisfying. Perfect for gatherings, busy weeknights, or meal prep, this seafood pasta salad with mayo delivers comfort and freshness in every bite. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and family-friendly appeal truly make this the best seafood pasta salad recipe ever.

Seafood Pasta Salad

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Description

A creamy, refreshing seafood pasta salad loaded with tender shrimp, sweet crabmeat, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful mayo-based dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, BBQs, or as a light lunch. This chilled salad is rich, satisfying, and bursting with coastal flavor in every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8):

For the Pasta Salad:

12 oz rotini or elbow pasta
1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
1 cup crabmeat (or imitation crab), chopped
1 cup celery, finely diced
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
½ cup red bell pepper, diced
½ cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Creamy Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream (optional for extra creaminess)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Seafood & Veggies
If using fresh shrimp, cook in boiling water for 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque. Cool and chop. Dice crabmeat (or imitation crab) and chop vegetables.

Step 3: Make the Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Everything
In a large mixing bowl, add cooled pasta, shrimp, crab, vegetables, and parsley. Pour dressing over the mixture and gently fold until evenly coated.

Step 5: Chill & Serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to blend. Stir gently before serving.

Notes

• For extra flavor, add a splash of pickle juice or chopped dill pickles.
• Want it lighter? Substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
• Best served cold — chill at least 1 hour before serving.
• Keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Salad / Side Dish
• Method: Boiled / Mixed / Chilled
• Cuisine: American Coastal