Creamy Crab and Pasta Salad Delight
This refreshing Creamy Crab and Pasta Salad Delight combines the exquisite flavors of tender pasta with the sweetness of crabmeat, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing that promises to tantalize your taste buds. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal, this salad is not only quick to make but also a crowd-pleaser. Ideal for sharing with friends and family, this dish brings together fresh parsley and dill to elevate the classic crab salad to a new level. Enjoy it chilled for the best flavor experience!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
pasta
2 cups (your choice (medium shells or large bow ties), cooked and cooled)
crabmeat
1 1/4 cups (imitation or canned, torn into pieces)
celery or fennel
2 stalks or 1 bulb (diced thinly)
red pepper
1 (thinly sliced)
yellow pepper
1 (thinly sliced)
green onions
3 (chopped)
lemon juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
light mayonnaise
1/2 cup (none)
nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup (none)
fresh parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
fresh dill
2 tablespoons (chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill))
salt and pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the thinly sliced red and yellow bell peppers, chopped green onions, and diced celery or fennel. Add the lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the light mayonnaise, nonfat plain yogurt, and fresh dill until smooth. Pour this dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
4
Gently fold in the crabmeat, breaking it into pieces if using imitation crab. Add the chopped fresh parsley and carefully toss to incorporate without breaking the crab too much.
5
Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual bowls and sprinkle with paprika for garnish.
6
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Crab and Pasta Salad Delight?
It is a refreshing salad that combines tender pasta, sweet crabmeat, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy herb dressing.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
Medium shells or large bow ties are recommended for this salad.
Can I use real crab instead of imitation?
Yes, you can use imitation or canned crabmeat, or fresh crab if available.
Is this recipe good for potlucks?
Yes, it is specifically described as a crowd-pleaser perfect for picnics and potlucks.
How should I cook the pasta?
Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool it completely.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The recipe includes red and yellow bell peppers, green onions, and celery or fennel.
Can I substitute celery with something else?
Yes, the recipe suggests using one bulb of diced fennel as an alternative to two stalks of celery.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing is made by whisking together light mayonnaise, nonfat plain yogurt, and fresh dill.
Is the dressing heavy?
No, the use of light mayonnaise and nonfat plain yogurt keeps the dressing creamy yet light.
How much crabmeat is required?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of crabmeat.
Which fresh herbs are used in this dish?
Fresh parsley and fresh dill are used to elevate the flavor profile.
Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of fresh dill with 1 tablespoon of dried dill.
How much lemon juice should I add?
Use 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice to add brightness to the salad.
When should I add the crabmeat?
Gently fold in the crabmeat after the pasta has been tossed with the vegetables and the dressing.
How do I prevent the crabmeat from breaking apart?
Carefully toss the mixture when adding the crabmeat to avoid breaking the pieces too much.
What is the recommended garnish?
Sprinkle the finished salad with paprika for a colorful garnish.
How long does the salad need to refrigerate?
It should be covered and refrigerated for at least 1 hour before serving.
Why must the salad be refrigerated?
Chilling allows the flavors to meld and provides the best flavor experience.
Is this a good summer meal?
Yes, it is described as a refreshing and light summer meal.
How many green onions are needed?
The recipe requires 3 chopped green onions.
Can I use different colored peppers?
The recipe specifies red and yellow bell peppers for variety and color, but any bell pepper will work.
Is this recipe quick to prepare?
Yes, it is described as being quick to make and ideal for sharing.
What should I do if the pasta is too warm?
Ensure you rinse it under cold water until it is completely cooled before mixing with other ingredients.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including salt and pepper.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, since it needs at least an hour to chill, it is an excellent make-ahead dish.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This is a chilled pasta salad intended to be served cold.
What is the texture of the vegetables?
The bell peppers and celery or fennel provide a crunchy texture to contrast the tender pasta.
How do I prepare the bell peppers?
The bell peppers should be thinly sliced before being added to the salad.
Can I use full-fat yogurt instead of nonfat?
Yes, you can use full-fat or Greek yogurt, though it will change the nutritional profile slightly.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
It is creamy, herbaceous, and sweet with a bright citrus finish from the lemon juice.