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Make-Ahead Crab Pasta Salad for Winter Gatherings

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 69 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This fresh and vibrant Crab Pasta Salad combines tender pasta shells, imitation crab meat, colorful vegetables, and a creamy dill mayonnaise dressing. Perfect for summer potlucks or as a light side dish, this salad is chilled to blend flavors and served cold, making it refreshing and bursting with seafood flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Seafood

  • 1 pound medium shells pasta
  • 14 ounces imitation crab meat

Vegetables

  • ½ cup frozen peas, thawed
  • ½ cup red onion, peeled and chopped
  • ½ cup celery, chopped
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

Dressing and Seasoning

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and generously salt the water. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, imitation crab meat, thawed peas, chopped red onion, chopped celery, chopped red bell pepper, mayonnaise, and chopped dill. Gently stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly so everything is well coated with the dressing.
  3. Season the salad: Taste the salad mixture and add salt and pepper to your liking, stirring gently to incorporate the seasoning evenly.
  4. Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  5. Serve: Remove the salad from the fridge, uncover, and sprinkle chopped fresh chives over the top for a fresh, mild onion garnish. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

  • Use fresh dill for the best flavor, but dried dill works as a substitute if needed.
  • Feel free to substitute real crab meat for imitation crab for a more authentic seafood taste.
  • If you do not like peas, they can be omitted or substituted with another vegetable like chopped cucumber or sweet corn.
  • You can add a splash of fresh lemon juice or Old Bay seasoning to add extra brightness and a touch of spice.
  • The salad can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.

Find it online: https://recipes.mbeams.com/make-ahead-crab-pasta-salad-for-winter-gatherings/