


Using the Wrong Amount of Dressing: The pasta and seafood should be lightly coated with dressing, not swimming in it.Be sure to drain well before adding the dressing so it's sure to adhere to the noodles. Not Cooling the Pasta: Drain your perfectly cooked pasta, then rinse with cold water until cool.Overcooked pasta is soft and likely to fall apart, making it difficult to mix with other ingredients which can ruin the texture of the salad. Overcooking the Pasta: Cook the pasta until al dente (firm to the bite) before adding it to the pasta salad.Celery: Look for firm, bright green celery ribs.ħ Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad.Shallot: Look for a firm shallot with tight, shiny skin.Dill: It's worth it to use fresh dill (not dried) for this salad.Capers: Small, non-pareil capers are ideal.Dijon Mustard: A smooth, strong version is best.Mayonnaise: Use your favorite brand or make your homemade Avocado Oil Mayonnaise in just a few minutes with an immersion blender.Kosher Salt: For seasoning the shrimp cooking water.Lemons: One for seasoning the shrimp cooking water and ½ of another for the dressing.Pasta: Any short pasta will do, but I'm partial to shell pasta for this salad.I don't recommend imitation crabmeat - see my Crab Salad post to learn more about it. Crab: Real lump crab meat makes this salad special.Shrimp: I recommend using medium shrimp or large shrimp cut in half crosswise.Ingredients You Need to Make this Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe Seafood Pasta Salad ingredients More Delicious Pasta and Seafood Salads.7 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad.Ingredients You Need to Make this Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe.Serve as a summer side dish alongside anything your grilling, or as the main attraction for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Made in about 20 minutes, this seafood salad recipe is ideal for dressing up short pastas, like small or medium shell pasta, bow tie pasta ( farfalle), or elbow macaroni.

It just may just be the perfect summer dish! Easy enough to enjoy on a weeknight or take to a picnic, but worthy of a dinner party or date night. Seafood Pasta Pasta Salad is a lavish blend of lump crab and juicy shrimp tossed with tender pasta, crunchy celery, briny capers, fresh dill and a creamy, tangy salad dressing.
