Refreshing Deluxe Seafood Pasta Salad
Perfect for warm weather gatherings, this Refreshing Deluxe Seafood Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser that combines the rich flavors of seafood with the lightness of fresh vegetables and creamy dressing. Ideal for a sunny afternoon on the patio, this salad boasts substantial portions of imitation crab (or shrimp), crunchy celery, sweet cherry tomatoes, and tangy dill pickles, all tossed in a velvety mayonnaise dressing. Prepare this delightful dish in the morning and let it chill in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully throughout the day. Serve it alongside a crusty baguette, a pat of butter, and a crisp glass of chilled white wine, like Chablis, to elevate your summer dining experience. You and your guests will love every bite of this colorful and delicious pasta salad!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shell pasta
12-16 ounces (cooked (measured dry))
Mayonnaise
1 cup (none)
Imitation crabmeat (or real crab or shrimp)
1.5 lbs (chunks)
Lemon zest
1-2 teaspoons (minced small)
Fresh lemon juice
1-2 squeezes (none)
Onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Celery ribs
2 (with leaves thinly sliced)
Broccoli florets
1 cup (broken up, cooked al dente)
Dill pickles
6 small (slivered)
Sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons (none)
Capers
1 tablespoon (finely minced)
Fresh chives
2-3 tablespoons (chopped)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Spanish olives
1/4 cup (chopped)
Garlic powder
2-4 dashes (none)
Hard-boiled eggs
2-3 (chopped)
Cheddar cheese
1.5 cups (cubed)
Cherry tomatoes
1.5 cups (halved)
Salt & pepper
to taste (none)
Lettuce leaf
for garnish (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the shell pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, and a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice. Mix well until smooth.
3
Add chopped onion, sliced celery (with leaves), cooked broccoli florets, slivered dill pickles, sweet pickle relish, minced capers, chopped chives, parsley, chopped Spanish olives, garlic powder, and hard-boiled eggs to the bowl.
4
Gently fold in the imitation crabmeat (or shrimp), cheddar cheese cubes, and halved cherry tomatoes.
5
Season your salad mix with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring everything is evenly combined.
6
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to marry beautifully.
7
When ready to serve, give the salad a gentle stir and arrange it atop a bed of crisp lettuce leaves. Garnish with additional chopped chives and lemon wedges.
8
Serve chilled, alongside crusty baguette slices and butter for a delightful summertime meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Refreshing Deluxe Seafood Pasta Salad?
It is a colorful and delicious chilled pasta salad featuring seafood, shell pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, perfect for warm weather gatherings.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 12 to 16 ounces of shell pasta, measured dry and cooked al dente.
Can I use real crab instead of imitation crab?
Yes, you can use 1.5 lbs of imitation crabmeat, real crab, or shrimp cut into chunks.
How long should the salad chill before serving?
The salad should be refrigerated for 6 to 8 hours to allow the flavors to marry beautifully.
What are the main components of the dressing?
The dressing is made with 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1-2 teaspoons of minced lemon zest, and 1-2 squeezes of fresh lemon juice.
What vegetables are included in this seafood salad?
The salad includes chopped onion, thinly sliced celery ribs with leaves, cooked broccoli florets, and halved cherry tomatoes.
Is there a specific way to prepare the celery?
Yes, use 2 celery ribs and thinly slice them, including the leaves.
How should the broccoli be prepared?
The broccoli should be broken into florets and cooked until al dente before being added to the salad.
What kind of pickles are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses both 6 small slivered dill pickles and 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1.5 cups of cubed cheddar cheese.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 2 to 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped.
Are there any herbs in the salad?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2-3 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
What kind of olives should I use?
Use 1/4 cup of chopped Spanish olives.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Arrange the salad atop a bed of crisp lettuce leaves and garnish with additional chives and lemon wedges.
What side dishes pair well with this salad?
It is best served with a crusty baguette and butter.
What type of wine goes well with this seafood pasta salad?
A crisp glass of chilled white wine, such as Chablis, is recommended.
How do I prepare the lemon zest?
The 1-2 teaspoons of lemon zest should be minced small.
Are there capers in this recipe?
Yes, it includes 1 tablespoon of finely minced capers.
What seasoning is used?
The salad is seasoned with 2-4 dashes of garlic powder, plus salt and pepper to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for entertaining?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser and is ideal for sunny afternoons on the patio or summer brunch.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 20 ingredients listed for this deluxe salad.
Can I substitute the shrimp for crab?
Yes, the recipe is flexible and allows for imitation crab, real crab, or shrimp.
Do I need to cook the pasta all the way?
The pasta should be cooked until 'al dente' according to package instructions, then drained and cooled.
Should the salad be served warm or cold?
The salad must be served chilled after a significant refrigeration period.
When should I add the tomatoes and cheese?
Gently fold in the cheddar cheese cubes and halved cherry tomatoes after mixing the dressing and other vegetables.
What is the purpose of the lettuce leaf in the ingredient list?
The lettuce leaf is used as a garnish or a base for plating the salad.
How many celery ribs are needed?
The recipe requires 2 celery ribs.
What kind of relish is used?
Sweet pickle relish is used to add a touch of sweetness and tang.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy recipe' that primarily involves chopping and mixing.
Can I make this the morning of an event?
Yes, it is recommended to prepare it in the morning so it can chill throughout the day.