Description
Mediterranean seafood pasta salad blends fresh shrimp, calamari, and mussels with al dente rotini in a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Delicate flavors and textures invite you to savor coastal culinary delights.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (225 g) crab meat or imitation crab, chopped
- ½ lb (225 g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
- ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (75 g) celery, diced
- ½ cup (75 g) red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup (35 g) red onion, finely diced
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning or paprika
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water, then spread on a plate to cool completely.
- Seafood Cooking: Poach shrimp in boiling water until pink and opaque. Remove and cool to room temperature.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Salad Assembly: Combine cooled pasta, shrimp, crab meat, celery, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Gently fold dressing into the seafood mixture, ensuring even coating without damaging delicate ingredients.
- Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad in an airtight container for 30-45 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve thoroughly chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light main course.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Strictly follow package instructions and test pasta for al dente texture to avoid mushy consistency.
- Seafood Cooling Strategy: Immediately shock shrimp and seafood in ice water after cooking to stop further cooking and maintain tender texture.
- Dressing Balance Technique: Gradually add dressing and taste repeatedly to achieve perfect flavor intensity without overwhelming seafood.
- Refrigeration Timing: Allow salad to marinate for exact 30-45 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without compromising seafood freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg