Zesty Seafood Pasta Salad
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When I make my Italian Seafood Pasta salad, it is a sure sign that summer is here. This flavorful pasta dish is bright, colorful, loaded with vegetables and imitation crab meat, and tossed in a cheesy dressing. It is a tasty side for Lemon, Garlic , and Herb Grilled Chicken , Lamb Burgers, beef burgers, steak, or pork.
I started making this pasta salad shortly after I got married, and I still make it quite a bit during the summer. It has been a family favorite for over 35 years! Whether we are having a barbecue, a birthday celebration, or just a family dinner, this pasta salad is always the first thing to go.
If you come to my house for Father’s Day, Memorial Day, or Fourth of July, you will likely be served this Italian seafood pasta salad with Smoked Chicken Legs, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, or Mediterranean Grilled Lollipop Lamb Chops…what my husband calls ‘the reason we own a grill’!
I love that this pasta salad is easy and versatile as well. You can change out any of the vegetables or the seafood in this recipe to suit what you love and still have a delicious dish.
Ingredients and Variations for Zesty Seafood Pasta Salad
You can swap or add ingredients and still have a delicious salad.
Pasta: Any short pasta shape will work great in this recipe. So make it fun and pick your kids’ favorite shape. Then, cook it according to the package instructions. Follow my pasta buying guide so you select the best quality pasta for this recipe.
Vegetables: I love the combination of colorful red and yellow sweet peppers, tomatoes, black olives, red onion, and broccoli. But you can add green or orange peppers, pepperoncini (to spice things up a bit), white onions or scallions, cucumbers, zucchini, etc. Have fun with it and use the vegetables you love.
Seafood: My husband loves this recipe with crab, lobster or shrimp. But crab and lobster are pretty expensive, and I often make this seafood pasta salad, so I use imitation crab meat. It is quite delicious, and it doesn’t break the bank. If you don’t want seafood at all, try pepperoni. Or leave the seafood or meat out altogether for a vegetarian version.
For the dressing: Your favorite zesty Italian dressing (not creamy), mayonnaise, and grated parmesan cheese are all you need. I have not tried using Miracle Whip instead of the mayonnaise, so I can’t say how it will alter the flavor of the dressing. You can use pecorino romano if you don’t have parmesan cheese.
How to Make The Pasta Salad
This pasta salad comes together in just a few steps.
Photo 1: Cook the pasta according to your package directions. While cooking the pasta, dice your vegetables and blanch the broccoli. When the pasta and broccoli are ready, drain them and immediately rinse them under cold water until they are no longer warm. Transfer them to a large bowl, and add the vegetables and seafood.
Photo 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing, parmesan cheese, and mayonnaise.
Photo 3: Pour the dressing over the pasta, seafood, and vegetables and toss well so that all ingredients are evenly coated.
Cooking Tips:
- Step saver: While you are cooking the pasta, add the broccoli to the pot during the last 2 minutes of cooking time and blanch the broccoli in the same pot as the pasta. When the pasta is done, you will be able to drain and rinse both the pasta and the broccoli at the same time. One less step and one less pan to wash!
- The pasta salad can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
- Pass some additional grated parmesan with the pasta for sprinkling on top.
More Dishes to Round Out Your Barbecue Menu
If you want more ideas for your next barbecue, I have some great recipes you can pair with this flavorful pasta seafood salad. My Extra Moist Cornbread is one of the most popular recipes on my site and it is the perfect side with meat and salads.
FAQ
This step is important because it stops the cooking process and rinses off any extra starch that might be clinging to the pasta.
Yes, you can make this the day before, but don’t add the salad dressing. Add the dressing about an hour before you will be serving the salad because the pasta tends to absorb the dressing. Adding the dressing shortly before you serve it will make sure it is creamy.
It is best to store this seafood pasta salad in an airtight container, which must be kept in the refrigerator. Stored properly, it will stay fresh for several days.
I love to get your feedback, so if you try this Seafood Pasta Salad recipe or any other recipe on this website, please leave me a comment below. I hope you enjoy our recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you!
You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more recipes your family will love!
Italian Seafood Pasta Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. Pasta spirals or other short pasta
- 2 cups Broccoli florets
- ½ cup Ripe black olives sliced
- 1 cup Red pepper diced
- 1 cup Yellow or orange pepper diced
- ½ cup Red onion diced
- 1½ cups Cherry tomatoes halved
- 14 oz. Imitation crab cut into 1" chunks
- 1 cups Zesty Italian dressing
- ⅓ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, in a large pot of salted boiling water. When the pasta is done, drain it and run cold water over it to cool it down, then transfer it to a large bowl.
- Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes. Just long enough to get tender but not soft. Drain it and run it under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down quickly. Add it to the pasta.
- Add all of the vegetables and the imitation crab to the pasta.
- Combine the Italian dressing, mayonnaise and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl and whisk until completely combined.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss well. Salt and pepper the pasta to taste. Serve immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Delicious. Great warm weather pasta dish.
Quick and Delicious!!
My family absolutely loved this recipe!
Thank you Stacey! I am thrilled that you enjoyed this pasta. I just made it again myself!
I’ve made this dish several times over the past 25+ years. Your recipe hands down, is one of my favorites. Great for serving at a picnic.
I look forward to trying your other recipes, especially as we get closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Thanks for sharing.
Teresaq
Theresa thank you so much for your kind review! I am so glad you like this pasta salad it is my husbands favorite too!
This is a must make pasta dish. All the flavors are perfect together and I have to do a second helping because it’s That Good!!!