Seafood Pasta Salad
This creamy seafood pasta salad is a dream! With shrimp, crab, and scallops it’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for cookouts & easy summer dinners
This creamy seafood pasta salad is a dream! With shrimp, crab, and scallops it’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for cookouts & easy summer dinners
When most people hear seafood salad, they picture tiny shrimp and imitation crab tossed in a basic dressing, but as a proud Marylander, I could never do you like that! If I’m calling something a seafood salad, it needs to bring the full lineup: real crab, juicy shrimp, and tender scallops at the very least. No shade to the fake stuff, but this recipe is the real deal. This creamy seafood pasta salad is loaded with bold flavor, fresh herbs, and the kind of richness that keeps folks coming back for seconds. Once you try it, I promise it’ll become your go-to for every cookout, holiday, and seafood craving. You can get into the details and recipe below and as a bonus, there’s a video here!
What is Seafood Pasta Salad?
Seafood pasta salad is a beloved dish in coastal American cities, from New England to the Gulf Coast. It’s typically made with short pasta, like shells or rotini, and tossed with a creamy dressing and one or more types of seafood. In the North, you’ll often find it leaning citrus-forward, with lemon or lime cutting through a light mayo or yogurt base. Sometimes the seafood is folded into the pasta, other times it’s layered on top. In the South, it’s a bit more indulgent; think rich, creamy sauces infused with fresh herbs and iconic seasoning blends like Old Bay.
My take? A mash-up of the best of both coasts. I use a lime infused mayo, the brightness of fresh lemon juice, the elegance of tarragon, and just enough Old Bay to remind you where I’m from. It’s creamy, tangy, herbaceous, and perfectly balanced.
Can You Make Seafood Pasta Salad Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely—and I actually recommend it. Giving the seafood, pasta, and dressing time to chill together in the fridge allows the flavors to fully develop and meld. It’s one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.
If you’re prepping for a gathering or just want to save time, you can mix the seafood and sauce ahead of time, then fold in the pasta right before serving. This method helps the texture stay just right, and makes entertaining way easier.
TIPS FOR MAKING SEAFOOD PASTA SALAD
1. Don’t Overcook the Pasta
Cook it al dente. It’ll soften more as it chills in the dressing. Mushy pasta = sad salad.
2. Chill Everything Before Mixing
Let your pasta and seafood cool before combining with the mayo mixture. This keeps the dressing from breaking down or becoming oily.
3. Use High-Quality Mayo (Like Duke’s!)
It’s the base of your flavor. The richness and tang of Duke’s ties the whole dish together.
4. Balance the Creaminess
Add acid like lemon juice, vinegar, or a splash of pickle brine to cut through the mayo and brighten the flavors.
5. Add Texture and Color
Chopped celery, red onion, bell pepper, or even peas add crunch and visual pop to the creamy base.
6. Let It Chill Before Serving
Seafood pasta salad tastes better after resting for a few hours. It gives the ingredients time to soak up all that flavor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of seafood is best for seafood pasta salad?
Answer: A mix of crab and shrimp is classic, but you can also use imitation crab, lobster, or scallops, depending on your budget and taste.
How long does seafood pasta salad last in the fridge?
Answer: It typically keeps for 2–3 days when stored in an airtight container. Be sure to refrigerate it promptly and avoid leaving it at room temp too long.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Answer: Short pasta shapes like farfalle, rotini, shells, or elbows hold the creamy dressing well and mix easily with seafood and veggies.
Can I use frozen seafood?
Answer: Yes! Just make sure it’s thawed and patted dry before mixing. You want to avoid excess water which can make the salad runny.
Is seafood pasta salad served warm or cold?
Answer: It’s served cold! Chilling it enhances the creamy texture and gives time for the seafood and seasoning to meld.
Love This Recipe?
Don’t keep it to yourself—share your seafood pasta salad pics with me on Instagram or TikTok! I love seeing your recreations and hearing your favorite spins. Make sure to tag me so I can hype you up.
Loaded Seafood Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs shrimp
- 8 oz crab
- 8 oz bay scallops
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp seafood seasoning
- 1 tbsp tarragon 1 1/2 tsp if dried
- Juice 1 small lemon
- 1 cup Duke’s Hint of Lime Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp champagne vinegar
- 1 tbsp seafood seasoning
- 1 tbsp dill 1 1/2 tsp if dried
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 16 oz bow tie pasta cooked al dente and cooled
- Additional chives and seafood seasoning for topping optional
Instructions
- To prep seafood, peel and devein the shrimp. Chop half of the shrimp into smaller pieces to have shrimp throughout the pasta salad. Additionally, check crab for any shells and remove before step 2.
- Add butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add in garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tarragon and cook an additional minute.
- To the pan, add in whole shrimp and cook for 3 minutes on one side. Flip and add chopped shrimp, scallops, crab and seafood seasoning to the pan. Sauté until shrimp is cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Squeeze ½ lemon and set aside and allow to cool.
- In a bowl, mix together all remaining ingredients except pasta and mix to combine thoroughly. Allow the dressing’s flavors to combine by placing in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Option: You can prepare the dressing ahead of time and keep it in the fridge overnight before assembling your pasta salad the next day.
- When ready to assemble, add dressing, pasta and seafood, along with any juices in the pan, to a large bow and mix. Pasta will absorb additional liquid and sauce. Top with additional chives and seafood seasoning and serve!
