Description
Crab Pasta Salad is a cool, creamy, and flavorful side dish featuring tender pasta, imitation crab, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing. It’s easy to make ahead and always a hit at picnics, BBQs, and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225g) rotini or elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup imitation crab meat, chopped (or real crab)
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta, crab, celery, onion, and peas. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
- Chill & Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Use real crab for a more luxurious twist. Add chopped hard-boiled egg or shredded cheese for extra richness. Best served chilled and made a few hours in advance for flavor to develop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 salad
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: crab pasta salad, seafood pasta salad, summer side dish, creamy cold salad