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Top-down view of crab pasta salad garnished with freshly chopped chives, served in a large bowl on a white marble surface, ready to be enjoyed

Crab Pasta Salad Recipe

Crab Pasta Salad is fresh, bright, and packed with summer seafood flavor, making it perfect for potlucks or any warm-weather meal. This dish is creamy, delicious, and a crowd-pleaser that you'll want to keep coming back to!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 322 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Medium shell pasta
  • 14 ounces Imitation crab meat
  • ½ cup frozen Peas thawed
  • ½ cup Red onion peeled and chopped
  • ½ cup Celery chopped
  • ½ cup Red bell pepper seeded and chopped
  • ¾ cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Fresh dill chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
    Top-down view of shell pasta boiling in a large pot of salted water on a white marble cooktop, with steam rising from the pot as the pasta nears al dente.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crab, peas, onion, celery, bell pepper, mayonnaise, and dill. Gently stir until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Top-down view of a large mixing bowl containing cooled shell pasta, imitation crab meat, thawed peas, chopped red onion, celery, and red bell pepper, with a spatula ready to stir.
  • Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
    Top-down view of mayonnaise being spooned into the mixing bowl with the salad ingredients, with freshly chopped dill sprinkled on top. A spatula is prepared to fold the ingredients together.
  • Garnish with fresh chives and serve cold.
    Top-down view of crab pasta salad garnished with freshly chopped chives, served in a large bowl on a white marble surface, ready to be enjoyed

Notes

  • You can substitute real crab meat for a more authentic flavor.
  • Feel free to add other fresh vegetables like cucumbers or cherry tomatoes for extra crunch.