Luscious Crab Shell Pasta Salad
This Luscious Crab Shell Pasta Salad is a delightful mix of flavors and textures that has been a favorite in my family for years. With perfectly cooked small shell pasta tossed in a creamy dressing, it's packed with the sweetness of imitation crabmeat, the crunch of fresh celery, and the briny goodness of black olives. The delicate herbal notes of tarragon and dill elevate this dish, creating a refreshing yet rich salad that’s perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or a light lunch. Customize it to your taste by adjusting the mayonnaise or herbs, and watch it become a staple in your own recipe collection!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
small shell pasta
12 ounces (cooked according to package directions, drained, and rinsed with cold water)
imitation crabmeat
8 ounces (diced)
celery
1 stalk (chopped fine)
black olives
1 can (drained and sliced)
dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon (none)
dried tarragon
1 teaspoon (none)
dill weed
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
pepper
1/8 teaspoon (none)
mayonnaise
3/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by cooking the shell pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside to cool.
2
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced imitation crabmeat, chopped celery, sliced black olives, dried onion flakes, tarragon, dill weed, salt, and pepper.
3
3. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of ingredients. Gently fold everything together to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
4
4. Finally, mix in the mayonnaise, adding more or less depending on your preference for creaminess. Stir until all ingredients are well coated.
5
5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Luscious Crab Shell Pasta Salad?
It is a creamy, flavorful salad made with small shell pasta, imitation crabmeat, celery, and black olives, seasoned with tarragon and dill.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
Small shell pasta is recommended as it holds the dressing and ingredients well.
Can I use real crab instead of imitation crabmeat?
Yes, you can substitute 8 ounces of real cooked crabmeat for the imitation crabmeat if preferred.
How much imitation crabmeat is needed?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of imitation crabmeat, diced.
What herbs are used in the seasoning?
The salad is seasoned with dried tarragon, dill weed, and dried onion flakes.
Should the pasta be rinsed after cooking?
Yes, rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Can I adjust the amount of mayonnaise?
Absolutely, you can add more or less mayonnaise depending on your preference for creaminess.
How long should the salad be refrigerated?
It is recommended to refrigerate the salad for several hours to allow the flavors to meld.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The recipe includes one stalk of finely chopped celery and one can of sliced black olives.
How should the celery be prepared?
The celery should be chopped fine to ensure a consistent crunch in every bite.
What is the role of tarragon in this recipe?
Tarragon provides delicate herbal notes that elevate the flavor of the seafood and pasta.
Is this salad served warm or cold?
This is a cold pasta salad and should be served chilled.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, making it a few hours or even a day ahead allows the flavors to develop better.
How much pasta does the recipe require?
You will need 12 ounces of small shell pasta.
Are the black olives supposed to be whole or sliced?
The recipe specifies using one can of drained and sliced black olives.
What seasoning basics are used?
In addition to herbs, the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
Is this recipe suitable for a BBQ?
Yes, its refreshing and rich profile makes it perfect for BBQs, gatherings, or light lunches.
Can I use fresh onion instead of flakes?
While the recipe calls for dried onion flakes, you could substitute a small amount of finely minced fresh onion.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients in this crab shell pasta salad.
Should I cook the pasta to a specific texture?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente according to the package directions.
Can I substitute the black olives?
While black olives are traditional for this recipe, you could omit them or try green olives for a different tang.
How should the imitation crab be prepared?
The imitation crabmeat should be diced into bite-sized pieces before being added to the bowl.
What makes this salad 'luscious'?
The combination of the creamy mayonnaise dressing with sweet crabmeat and aromatic herbs like tarragon creates a rich texture.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is considered an easy recipe involving simple boiling, chopping, and mixing.
How should I store leftovers?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How much mayonnaise is in the standard recipe?
The recipe suggests starting with 3/4 cup of mayonnaise.
Does this salad contain any sugar?
The recipe does not list sugar as an ingredient, though some may be present in the imitation crab or mayonnaise.
Can I add extra protein to this?
Yes, you could add shrimp or hard-boiled eggs for additional protein and variety.
What is the best way to mix the ingredients?
Gently fold the ingredients together to ensure even distribution without breaking the pasta shells or crabmeat.
Is there a specific serving size?
The raw data does not specify a serving size, but it typically serves a medium-sized group as a side dish.