Lemon-Infused Seafood Pasta Delight
Elevate your potluck experience with this refreshing and vibrant Lemon-Infused Seafood Pasta Delight. This dish combines the succulent flavors of shrimp and crab meat with the crunch of fresh vegetables and the creamy richness of cheeses and dressings. The blend of lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning adds a zesty coastal flair that will impress your guests. Perfect for summer gatherings or any occasion where you want to serve a light yet satisfying dish, this pasta salad benefits from several hours of chilling, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it cold, and enjoy the symphony of textures and tastes in every delightful bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dry small shell pasta
8 ounces (Cooked until al dente, then drained and rinsed.)
Small cooked shrimp
1 pound (Chopped or left whole, moisture squeezed out.)
Cooked crab meat
1 pound (Can use imitation crab meat.)
Large stalk celery
1 (Diced.)
Red bell pepper
1 (Seeded and chopped.)
Green onions
2 large (Chopped.)
Provolone cheese
1.5 cups (Finely cubed (or use mozzarella).)
Frozen peas
1/2 cup (Thawed (optional; or use sliced black olives).)
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup (Quality mayonnaise suggested.)
Salad dressing
1/2 cup (Such as Miracle Whip.)
Sour cream
1/2 cup (Regular or low-fat.)
Garlic powder
1/2-1 teaspoon (To taste.)
Fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed.)
Old Bay Seasoning
1 teaspoon (To taste.)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To taste
Hot sauce
To taste (Such as Louisiana or Tabasco.)
Whipping cream
If needed
Instructions
1
Cook the shell pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Once cooled, let it drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2
In the mixing bowl, gently incorporate the cooked shrimp, crab meat, diced celery, chopped red bell pepper, green onions, and cubed provolone cheese. If using peas or olives, add them to the mixture as well. Toss all ingredients until evenly combined.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, salad dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning, adjusting the seasoning according to your preference. Pour this mixture over the seafood pasta salad and toss gently to coat all components evenly.
4
Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and stir in your choice of hot sauce to add a kick. If the salad appears too dry for your liking, gently fold in additional whipping cream or mayonnaise until the desired creaminess is achieved.
5
Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled for the best flavor experience.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon-Infused Seafood Pasta Delight?
It is a refreshing and vibrant seafood pasta salad featuring shrimp, crab meat, and a zesty lemon-infused dressing.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
Dry small shell pasta is recommended for this dish.
How should the pasta be cooked?
Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
How much shrimp is required?
The recipe calls for one pound of small cooked shrimp.
Can I use imitation crab meat?
Yes, you can use either real cooked crab meat or imitation crab meat.
What vegetables add crunch to the salad?
Diced celery and chopped red bell pepper provide the fresh crunch in this salad.
What type of onions are included?
Two large chopped green onions are used in the mixture.
What kind of cheese should I use?
The recipe suggests 1.5 cups of finely cubed provolone or mozzarella cheese.
Are there optional ingredients I can add?
Yes, you can optionally add 1/2 cup of thawed frozen peas or sliced black olives.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of mayonnaise, salad dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
Which salad dressing brand is suggested?
Miracle Whip is specifically mentioned as a suitable salad dressing.
How much lemon juice is needed?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the signature seasoning for this dish?
Old Bay Seasoning provides the coastal flair for this pasta salad.
How do I season the salad?
Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and hot sauce to taste.
What should I do if the salad feels dry?
Gently fold in additional whipping cream or mayonnaise until you reach the desired creaminess.
How long should the salad chill before serving?
It should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
Why is chilling the salad necessary?
Chilling allows the flavors to meld together for a better taste experience.
Is this a good recipe for potlucks?
Yes, it is specifically described as an elevated dish for potlucks and summer gatherings.
How should the shrimp be prepared?
Small cooked shrimp should be chopped or left whole with the moisture squeezed out.
How many celery stalks are needed?
One large stalk of diced celery is required.
What type of bell pepper is used?
One red bell pepper, seeded and chopped, is used for color and flavor.
Can I use low-fat sour cream?
Yes, the recipe allows for either regular or low-fat sour cream.
How much garlic powder is recommended?
Use between 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, adjusted to your preference.
What kind of hot sauce can I use?
Brands like Louisiana or Tabasco are suggested to add a kick to the dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 17 ingredients in the list.
How should the dressing be combined with the pasta?
Whisk the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl first, then pour over the seafood pasta and toss gently.
What is the serving temperature?
This dish should be served cold.
Is the pasta rinsed after cooking?
Yes, it must be rinsed under cold water to halt the cooking process.
What size should the cheese be?
The cheese should be finely cubed.
What tags define this recipe?
Key tags include seafood, pasta salad, potluck, shrimp, crab meat, lemon, and quick.