Crab Pasta Salad Recipe
This Crab Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch. Made with elbow macaroni, imitation crab, fresh vegetables, and a zesty mayonnaise-based dressing seasoned with Old Bay and dill, it’s easy to prepare and satisfying to eat. Garnished with chives, this salad combines creamy, tangy, and savory flavors in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 8–16 oz imitation crab (1 pack for less or 2 packs for more crab in the salad)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- ½ cup red pepper, diced
- Chives for garnish
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dill
- 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain well again.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, dill, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. The dressing should be creamy with a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta. Then add the imitation crab meat, frozen peas, diced red onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Toss these ingredients gently to mix them evenly.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Fold everything together carefully until the salad is thoroughly coated in the dressing.
- Season to Taste: Taste the salad and add additional salt and pepper if needed to balance the flavors. Mix gently again to incorporate.
- Garnish and Serve: When ready to serve, sprinkle chopped fresh chives on top for a burst of color and a mild onion flavor. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Store leftover crab pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Before serving leftovers, stir the salad and add a spoonful of mayonnaise if the dressing has thickened or dried out to refresh its creaminess.
- For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- You can substitute fresh crab meat for imitation crab if desired, but adjust quantity and cost accordingly.
Keywords: Crab pasta salad, summer salad, crab salad, mayonnaise dressing, Old Bay seasoning, pasta salad recipe, easy lunch, picnic salad
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/crab-pasta-salad-recipe/