Crab Pasta Salad
Crab Pasta Salad is a cold, creamy pasta salad loaded with tender crab meat, crunchy vegetables, and a flavorful dressing.
The combination of pasta, crab, crisp vegetables, and creamy dressing creates a satisfying dish that’s both budget-friendly and delicious.
It’s an easy make-ahead dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, picnics, or a light lunch.
With simple ingredients and plenty of flavor, this dish comes together quickly and always disappears fast.
Whether you’re looking for an easy side dish for a backyard barbecue or a refreshing meal on a hot day, this recipe is a great choice.
Why You’ll Love This Crab Pasta Salad
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Perfect for meal prep and gatherings
- Made with simple ingredients
- Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins
- Delicious served chilled
What are the ingredients in crab pasta salad?
This salad recipe is made with tender pasta, imitation crab meat, peas, red onion, celery, and red bell pepper tossed in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Fresh chives add a flavorful finishing touch before serving.
How to Make Crab Pasta Salad
- Cook the elbow pasta according to the package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, imitation crab, peas, red onion, celery, and bell pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Season to taste, then garnish with fresh chives before serving.
- For the best flavor, chill the salad before serving.
Don’t Forget To…
- Scroll down to print the full recipe with step-by-step instructions and exact measurements.
- Check out my Kitchen Essentials for the pans, mixing bowls, and baking tools I use to make this recipe a breeze.
- Save or share this recipe on Pinterest!
Imitation crab is affordable and commonly used, but lump crab meat or claw meat provides a richer seafood flavor.
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after chilling for a few hours, making it an excellent make-ahead dish.
Freezing is not recommended because the mayonnaise-based dressing can separate when thawed.
Rotini, bowtie, shells, and elbow macaroni all work well because they hold the dressing nicely.
What to Serve with Crab Pasta Salad
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Hot dogs
- BBQ ribs
- Corn on the cob
- Fresh fruit salad
More Cookout and Potluck Recipes
- These Crab Dinner Ideas are easy seafood meals that are perfect for busy weeknights, special occasions, or summer gatherings.
- Make the most of canned crab with budget-friendly appetizers, dips, casseroles, and seafood-inspired meals.
- Discover crowd-pleasing pasta salad recipes that are perfect for cookouts, picnics, and holiday celebrations.
- From classic deli-style macaroni salad to creative variations, these macaroni salad recipes make great side dishes for any barbecue or potluck.
Mfacoy 2 Pack Salad Bowl, 8 inch 60 oz Large Serving Bowl Set, Deep Bowl for Kitchen, White Ceramic Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal, Ramen, Pasta, Salad, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Easy CleanLOVYANXUE Bamboo Fiber Salad Bowl with Servers Set Large 9.8inches Nature Bamboo Mixing Bowl with Servers with Lid Spoon and Fork for Fruits,Salads and Vegetables
Corelle 4-Pc Versa Bowls for Pasta Salad and More, Service for 4, Durable and Eco-Friendly 30-Oz, Compact Stack Bowl Set, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe, White
Crab Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 8-16 oz imitation crab 8 ounce packs, 1 for less or 2 for more crab in the salad)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup red onion diced
- ½ cup celery diced
- ½ cup red pepper diced
- 1 tbsp dill
- 2 tsp old bay
- 1 ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- juice 1 lemon
- chives for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta, according to box directions. Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again.
- For the dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, old bay, salt, and pepper.
- Add the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the crab, peas, onion, celery, and bell pepper. Toss.
- Add the dressing, and fold together until the salad is well coated.
- Add additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- When serving, top with fresh chives.