Shrimp and Crab Pasta Salad

Name: Shrimp and Crab Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz rotini pasta; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1/2 red onion, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped; 1 cup mayonnaise, plus more to taste; 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard; 3 tbsp sweet pickle relish; 1 tbsp salt-free Greek seasoning; 3 tbsp shrimp bouillon powder, divided; 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 lb jumbo lump crab meat; 2 tbsp lemon-infused olive oil; 2 tbsp seafood seasoning, divided

This creamy shrimp and crab pasta salad combines rotini cooked in shrimp bouillon with sautéed seafood, fresh vegetables, and a homemade mayo-dill dressing for bold flavor in every bite.

🌍American 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Shrimp pasta salad 🏷️Crab pasta salad 🏷️Seafood salad Creamy

🏷️

🏷️Summer

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

16 oz rotini pasta
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise, plus more to taste
2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
1 tbsp salt-free Greek seasoning
3 tbsp shrimp bouillon powder, divided
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb jumbo lump crab meat
2 tbsp lemon-infused olive oil
2 tbsp seafood seasoning, divided

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Instructions

1
Cook pasta according to package directions in water seasoned with 2 tablespoons of shrimp bouillon powder. Once cooked, drain and let cool.
2
While the pasta cooks, heat the lemon-infused olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3
Add the shrimp to the hot skillet and season with 1 tablespoon of seafood seasoning.
4
Sauté for 1-2 minutes per side, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
5
Add the jumbo lump crab meat to the skillet with the shrimp.
6
Season the crab meat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of seafood seasoning and gently toss to heat through for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and celery.
8
Add the fresh dill, mayonnaise, spicy brown mustard, and sweet pickle relish to the bowl.
9
Sprinkle in the Greek seasoning and the remaining 1 tablespoon of shrimp bouillon powder.
10
Add the cooked shrimp and crab meat to the bowl.
11
Gently mix all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
12
Taste and adjust for creaminess, adding more mayonnaise if desired.
13
Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Season the dressing to taste before mixing with pasta—mayonnaise-based dressings mellow slightly once chilled, so slightly over-season when cold.
Pat sautéed shrimp and crab dry before folding into the salad to avoid excess moisture that dilutes the dressing.
Dice vegetables uniformly so they distribute evenly and cook/marinate consistently throughout the salad.
Reserve pasta cooking liquid to loosen the dressing if the salad dries out after refrigeration overnight.

Substitutions

Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt or sour cream (lighter alternative; use 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup mayo to maintain creaminess)
Fresh dill → fresh tarragon or chives (1 tbsp each for milder flavor)
Spicy brown mustard → Dijon mustard (less heat; use same amount)
Sweet pickle relish → diced dill pickles (add 1/4 cup; adjust mayo slightly)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Stir before serving and add a splash of mayo if it has dried out.

Common Questions

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add the mayo dressing just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming too soggy.

What can I substitute for lump crab meat?

You can use imitation crab (surimi), jumbo lump crab, or even cooked bay shrimp for extra shrimp flavor. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Why cook the pasta in shrimp bouillon?

Cooking pasta in shrimp bouillon infuses it with savory seafood flavor throughout, eliminating the need for extra seasoning and creating depth in every bite.