Description
Mediterranean-inspired creamy crab pasta salad combines fresh seafood with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Cool summer flavors blend perfectly for a refreshing meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) dry pasta (bowtie or rotini)
- 12–16 oz (340–454 grams) imitation crab, torn into small pieces
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (Lawry’s recommended)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat and cook pasta until al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Drain pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking process. Allow pasta to cool completely.
- Shred or chop imitation crab meat into small, uniform bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and selected seasonings until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold the cooled pasta into the creamy crab mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Sprinkle finely chopped green onions across the top for added freshness and visual appeal.
- Cover the salad and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for a minimum of 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop. For optimal taste, let it rest overnight.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the ingredients.
Notes
- Choose high-quality pasta like rotini or shell shapes for better sauce adherence and texture.
- Replace imitation crab with fresh crab meat for a more authentic and luxurious seafood experience.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to reduce calories and add a tangy protein boost.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like dill or chives for an extra layer of freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 785 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg