Description
This Crab Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining tender pasta shells with succulent crab meat, crisp celery, sweet peas, and vibrant red bell pepper, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt and mayonnaise dressing seasoned with lemon, Old Bay, and dill. Perfectly chilled, it makes an ideal light meal or side for gatherings and warm-weather dining.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 package (16 oz) medium pasta shells or other short pasta shape
Dressing
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
Salad Ingredients
- 16 oz cooked crab or imitation crab meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups celery, finely chopped (about 3 stalks)
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper (about 1 bell pepper)
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped (about ¼ large onion)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until fully cooled to stop the cooking and prepare for the salad.
- Make Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and dried dill. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as needed by adding more Old Bay, lemon juice, or dill to your preference.
- Add Salad Ingredients: To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled pasta, cut crab meat, finely chopped celery, thawed peas, diced red bell pepper, and chopped red onion.
- Combine: Stir all ingredients thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated with the dressing. Taste the salad again and adjust the seasoning if necessary for balance.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the crab pasta salad for at least one hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and enhances the overall taste.
Notes
- Use fresh crab meat for a gourmet touch or imitation crab for a budget-friendly option.
- Rinsing pasta under cold water stops cooking and cools it for salad use.
- Old Bay seasoning is key for that signature crab salad flavor; do not omit.
- Chilling the salad improves flavor integration and texture.
- This salad can be prepared a day ahead for convenience.
