Get ready for a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing side dish that’s perfect for warm weather gatherings, potlucks, or a delicious light meal! This Seafood Pasta Salad combines tender tri-color rotini with succulent shrimp and crab meat, crisp vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing, creating a truly irresistible dish that’s both satisfying and bright.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Seafood Pasta Salad is an absolute staple in my kitchen, especially as the weather warms up. What I love most is its freshness and versatility. The combination of tender tri-color rotini, perfectly cooked shrimp and crab, and the crisp bite of cucumber, green onions, and cherry tomatoes creates a delightful textural medley. The convenience of using a store-bought Italian dressing makes assembly a breeze, while allowing the flavors of the seafood and fresh vegetables to shine. It’s truly a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to scale for any gathering, always refreshing, and tastes like summer in a bowl!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Seafood Pasta Salad:
- 3 boxes (12-16 oz each) tri-color rotini, cooked according to package directions
- 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) butter
- 3 small cucumbers, cut into bite-sized pieces (or 1 large cucumber)
- 2 bags (about 1.5 – 2 lbs total) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 packs (about 8 oz each) imitation crab meat (flake or lump style), flaked or cut into pieces
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 pack (about 1 pint) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bottle (16 oz, approx.) Olive Garden Italian dressing (or your favorite brand)
- Salad Supreme seasoning, to taste (or similar all-purpose seasoning blend)
- Old Bay seasoning, to taste (for shrimp)
- Complete Seasoning (like Lawry’s Seasoned Salt or your preferred all-purpose blend), to taste (for shrimp)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Swaps and Notes
- Pasta: Tri-color rotini adds visual appeal and holds dressing well, but any short pasta like fusilli, penne, or even elbow macaroni can be used.
- Shrimp: Large raw shrimp are best for flavor and texture. Cooked shrimp can be used for even quicker prep, but raw cooked in butter will offer more flavor.
- Crab Meat: Imitation crab meat is convenient and commonly used. For a richer flavor, you can use real lump crab meat.
- Cucumbers: English cucumbers (seedless) work great.
- Green Onions: Add a mild onion flavor and freshness. Red onion (finely diced) can be used for a sharper flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes add a burst of freshness and color. Grape tomatoes work too.
- Italian Dressing: Olive Garden Italian dressing is a popular choice for its tangy and herby flavor. Use your favorite brand, or even a homemade Italian vinaigrette.
- Seasonings: Old Bay and Complete Seasoning (or similar seasoned salt) are crucial for seasoning the shrimp. Adjust amounts of all seasonings (including salt/pepper) to your personal taste preference.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Seafood Pasta Salad assembled!
- Cook Pasta: Cook the 3 boxes of tri-color rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking, and set aside to cool completely.
- Cook Seafood: In a large skillet, melt the 1 1/2 sticks of butter over medium heat. Add the 2 bags of large raw shrimp to the skillet. Season the shrimp generously with Old Bay seasoning and Complete Seasoning. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque and are fully cooked through. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside to cool. Add the 3 packs of imitation crab meat (if using real crab, no cooking needed) to the same skillet with any remaining butter and gently warm through for 1-2 minutes, then remove and let cool. Once cooled, if shrimp are very large, you can chop them into bite-sized pieces. Flake or cut the imitation crab meat into desired pieces.
- Prepare Vegetables: While pasta and seafood cool, prepare your vegetables. Cut the 3 small cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the 1 bunch of green onions. Halve the 1 pack of cherry tomatoes.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled cooked rotini, cooked and cooled shrimp, flaked crab meat, cut cucumbers, sliced green onions, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Dress and Season: Pour the entire bottle of Olive Garden Italian dressing over the mixture. Sprinkle generously with Salad Supreme seasoning. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Mix & Chill: Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated with the dressing and seasonings. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably longer (even overnight), to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Give the salad another gentle stir before serving. Enjoy cold!
Tips for Success
- Cool Pasta & Seafood Completely: This is crucial! Warm ingredients will make the salad soggy and cause the dressing to be absorbed too quickly.
- Drain Seafood Well: Especially if using canned crab or cooked shrimp, ensure all excess liquid is drained to prevent a watery salad.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly! Overcooked shrimp become rubbery. Cook just until pink and opaque.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the salad before chilling and adjust salt, pepper, Salad Supreme, or even a little more dressing if needed. The flavors will deepen as it chills.
- Make Ahead: Pasta salads generally taste better the next day, making this an excellent make-ahead dish for parties.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Seafood Pasta Salad is a fantastic standalone meal or a delightful side dish for a variety of gatherings:
- Picnics & BBQs: A perfect refreshing addition to any outdoor event.
- Potlucks: Always a crowd-pleaser and easy to transport.
- Light Lunch or Dinner: Enjoy a generous bowl on its own.
- Alongside Grilled Foods: Complements grilled chicken, burgers, or fish beautifully.
- Summer Spread: Serve with other easy-to-eat items like our These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way To Feed A Crowd Fast or set up a This Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way To Feed A Crowd.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This pasta salad stores well due to its robust ingredients and dressing.
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta will continue to absorb dressing, so you may want to add a splash more dressing or a bit of milk to freshen it up if it seems dry.
- Freezing: Pasta salads with a mayonnaise/creamy dressing base do not freeze well, as the texture of the pasta and vegetables will change significantly, and the dressing will separate.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the refreshing, flavorful, and easy nature of this pasta salad, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that are perfect for gatherings or quick meals:
- For another hearty and flavorful dish, try our This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl Of Southern Comfort.
- If you’re a fan of easy one-pan dinners, check out This Mexican Chicken And Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always A Hit.
- And for another quick and flavorful skillet meal, don’t miss This Tomato Skillet With Okra And Sausage Is My Favorite Quick Dinner Packed With Southern Flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Seafood Pasta Salad recipe is a brilliant solution for bringing a truly refreshing, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dish to your table with ease. It’s perfect for summer gatherings, promising a vibrant and delicious addition to any meal.
Give this recipe a try and let this delightful pasta salad become your new warm-weather favorite! What’s your go-to dish for a potluck or picnic? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!
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