This seafood pasta salad recipe is so simple yet so delicious. It has tender macaroni noodles tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with chunks of crab meat, shrimp, and hard-boiled eggs. It's the perfect summer side dish you can make in just a few minutes!
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The Best Seafood Pasta Salad
If you've never tried pairing seafood with traditional pasta salad, get ready for the best pasta salad recipe ever!
This seafood pasta salad recipe has all of the convenience and ease of your favorite pasta salad recipes but with even more flavor.
It's made with macaroni noodles coated in a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickle relish, and a touch of sugar. Then it's taken to another level by adding hard-boiled eggs, crab meat, and shrimp. It's so delicious!
As good as this seafood salad recipe is all on its own, it tastes even better served on the side with some grit cakes or Martha White cornbread.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick and easy to make. All you have to do is prep the ingredients, make the creamy dressing, then toss everything together in the same bowl. It's effortless and takes minutes to put together!
Easy to customize. You can swap the seafood, use different noodles, or add any flavors you want to the dressing.
Perfect make-ahead recipe: Prepare the seafood macaroni salad in the morning and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
Crowd-favorite. Anyone who likes pasta salad and seafood always loves this recipe. It's been a hit at every cookout, party, and family dinner I've made it for.
Ingredients
Another thing I love about this cold seafood pasta salad recipe is how simple the ingredients are.
Check out everything you'll need:
- ½ lb. macaroni
- ½ cup crab meat
- ½ cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 4 hardboiled eggs, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried chives or fresh, chopped
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
You can use many of these same ingredients to make my chicken salad with eggs. It's another one of the best chicken salad recipes you'll ever make!
Or you can also use any leftover seafood to make this easy seafood casserole, so consider giving that one a try next if you're craving a warm seafood bake.
How To Make Seafood Pasta Salad
1. Cook the pasta: Grab a large pot and cook the pasta according to the package directions. When the pasta is fully cooked, drain and set it aside.
2. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and sweet relish. Stir until well you have a smooth mixture.
3. Finish the pasta salad: Add the crab meat, shrimp, celery, hard boiled eggs, and chives to the bowl. Mix to combine everything together. Give the pasta salad a taste test and adjust any seasonings as needed.
4. Refrigerate and serve: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and store the pasta salad in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Enjoy!
Tips To Make The Best Recipe
- Run the cooked pasta under cold water to cool it off before adding to the pasta salad.
- Experiment with adding ingredients to the creamy dressing like fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, or old bay seasoning for added flavor.
- Cook the pasta to al dente, so it doesn't get mushy while chilling in the refrigerator.
- Add veggies like grape tomatoes, peas, diced onion, capers, or chopped bell pepper for a healthier pasta salad.
- Add more seafood, like lobster meat, imitation crab meat, or canned tuna, to make the ultimate seafood salad.
- Use different types of noodles, like bow tie pasta or any short pasta shapes.
How To Store Seafood Pasta Salad
In the fridge: Transfer leftover seafood pasta salad to an airtight container or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In the freezer: Transfer the leftover seafood pasta salad to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow the pasta salad to thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
FAQS About This Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe
What to serve with seafood pasta salad?
Seafood pasta salad tastes great in a sandwich, piled on a simple green salad, or served alongside this Brenda Gantt cabbage casserole, beef back ribs, or fried chicken without buttermilk.
What is seafood pasta made of?
Seafood pasta salad is made up of shrimp, lump crab meat, hard boiled eggs, and diced celery tossed in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and relish.
What pasta should I use for seafood pasta salad?
You can use any type of pasta for seafood pasta salad, but smaller pasta like macaroni, mini shell pasta, or bowtie pasta is usually best.
Is seafood salad good for you?
Yes, seafood salad is high in protein, has omega-3 fatty acids from the seafood, and you can add any veggies that you want to it. For a lighter version with fewer calories, use a light mayo and reduced-fat sour cream.
More Seafood Recipes
Seafood Pasta Salad
This seafood pasta salad recipe is so simple yet so delicious. It has tender macaroni noodles tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with chunks of crab meat, shrimp, and hard-boiled eggs. It's the perfect summer side dish you can make in just a few minutes!
Ingredients
- ½ lb. macaroni
- ½ cup crab meat
- ½ cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 4 hardboiled eggs, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried chives or fresh, chopped
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and sweet relish. Stir until well combined.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate the salad covered before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
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