Description

A light, refreshing Crab Pasta Salad made with tender crab meat, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick meal.

Ingredients

8 oz elbow pasta (or any pasta shape you prefer)

1 cup cooked crab meat (or imitation crab, shredded)

1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1/4 cup sweet corn (optional, for added sweetness and color)

2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly. Let it drain completely.
Prepare the Ingredients: While the pasta cools, chop the celery, bell pepper, green onions, and any other vegetables. If using crab meat, break it into smaller pieces; if using imitation crab, shred it into bite-sized pieces.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crab, chopped veggies, and hard-boiled eggs (if using). Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until well coated.
Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley just before serving if desired.

Notes

This salad is best served chilled.

Feel free to adjust the dressing ingredients to your preference.

For a more seafood-inspired taste, you can add Old Bay seasoning.

To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free mayonnaise and skip the eggs.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
Calories: 350
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 85mg