Crab Pasta Salad

We love pasta salads and this Crab Pasta Salad is always a hit at parties, backyard BBQ’s and holidays. It’s super simple and is loaded with imitation crab meat, peas, broccoli, green pepper and onion. If you are looking for a delicious salad recipe for the summer you have to try this one!

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Pasta salads are a staple for summer parties! I haven’t been to a backyard party that doesn’t feature some type of yummy salad. One of my favorites is this easy, creamy crab pasta salad. You could even serve it as a main dish for dinner on busy weeknights. It’s loaded with vegetables, pasta and imitation crab meat making it a meal in one bowl.

If you’re looking for a pasta salad that is unique, yet still easy to make, then you’ll love this recipe! Oh, and you’ll have to try my bacon ranch pasta salad too. It’s to die for. Make some crab pasta salad for your next cookout or party and add loads of flavor to your food spread.

Why You’ll Love Crab Pasta Salad

• It’s a cold dish, so it that can be made ahead of time and simply pulled out and served at a party. This is always great because I love prepping things ahead of time when I’m hosting!
• You can have this dish ready to go in just 30 minutes. It’s a wonderful last minute recipe if you need something in a pinch.
• Pasta salad is easily customizable and very adaptable. You can add extra ingredients, omit things you don’t like, and change up this recipe however you need to!

Ingredients for Crab Pasta Salad

• Spaghetti – I like to use spaghetti noodles, but you can use any type of pasta that you want. You can use gluten-free pasta too!
• Imitation crab meat – If you’ve got real crab meat, you can totally use that too. Fresh crab would be super tasty!
• Peas – Thaw some frozen peas to mix into into the this crab pasta salad recipe.
• Broccoli florets – Cut up the broccoli florets so that they are small, bite-sized pieces. Really large pieces of broccoli will be difficult to eat in a pasta salad.
• Green pepper – Dice up a green bell pepper to mix into your crab pasta salad.
• Green onion – Diced green onion adds so much flavor to this yummy recipe,
• Mayonnaise – Make your pasta salad creamy and hearty by mixing in some of your favorite mayo.
• Italian salad dressing – Grab a bottle of Italian salad dressing at the grocery store to use in this recipe. It adds a bit of moisture to bring everything together but also adds so much flavor!
• Parmesan cheese – You can use grated parmesan cheese from the grocery store or shred your own fresh parmesan.

How to Make Crab Pasta Salad

It is really easy to make crab salad, so just follow these instructions and make this tasty seafood pasta salad recipe in no time:

1. Prepare the pasta al dente, according to package directions, and then drain it well. Rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to help prevent it from sticking together and stop the cooking process.
2. Next grab a large bowl and combine your crab, peas, broccoli, pepper, onion and pasta.
3. In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, salad dressing and Parmesan cheese. Pour this mixture over your pasta mixture and toss to coat.
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. Enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Crab Pasta Salad

Store this in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve. Leftovers will last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. I do not recommend freezing any leftover pasta salad.

Should I rinse pasta for pasta salad?

I personally recommend rinsing cooked pasta in cold water before making pasta salad. It helps to quickly cool the pasta quickly and also stops the cooking process so that the noodles remain the perfect texture for the salad.

What do you serve with crab pasta salad?

Serve this delicious side dish with cookout favorites like hamburgers and hot dogs. It’d be a great side with some hearty sloppy joes too.

Side dishes like cheesy garlic bread and roasted vegetables go well with creamy crab pasta salad too. During your summertime cookouts, baked beans are especially tasty!

Serve it alongside some fried fish and fish stick tacos for a seafood palooza!

Make pasta crab salad when you need an adventurous and tasty recipe to add to your spread. You’re going to love how easy it is to make too!

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love!

• There’s nothing like flavorful, juicy steak especially when you make these Balsamic Steak Skewers for dinner!
• Got a sweet tooth? Finish the meal with homemade Cookie Dough Ice Cream!
• Need a quick and protein packed dinner? Then make these yummy Porcupine Meatballs.
• Spice up taco Tuesday with these Beef Barbacoa tacos. Loaded with so much flavor!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

4.67 from 30 votes

Crab Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad Loaded with Crab Meat, Peas, Broccoli, Green Pepper and Onion tossed in a creamy dressing!

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:15 minutes mins

Total:30 minutes mins

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Video

10

servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
• ▢ 16 ounces imitation crabmeat chopped
• ▢ 1 cup frozen peas thawed
• ▢ 1 cup broccoli florets
• ▢ ½ cup chopped green pepper
• ▢ ¼ cup sliced green onion
• ▢ ¾ cup fat-free mayonnaise
• ▢ ⅓ cup Italian salad dressing
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl combine pasta, crab, peas, broccoli, pepper and onion.
• In a small bowl mix together mayonnaise, salad dressing and cheese. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Tips

EXPERT TIPS!

• Store this in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.
• This will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
• If your salad becomes a little bit dry after sitting for a few days just add a bit more salad dressing to it. You can also toss the noodles in oil after cooking them to reduce how much dressing they will soak up.
• Do no allow this salad to sit out more than two hours when serving it.
• If you are letting it sit out at a party we recommend making an ice bath for it by sitting the bowl of salad in another bowl that has ice and water in it to keep it cool.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 200kcal (10%), Carbohydrates: 34g (11%), Protein: 8g (16%), Fat: 3g (5%), Cholesterol: 7mg (2%), Sodium: 507mg (22%), Potassium: 235mg (7%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 445IU (9%), Vitamin C: 41.2mg (50%), Calcium: 46mg (5%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.