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This image shows a delicious and refreshing crab pasta salad in a large mixing bowl, featuring cooked pasta, tender crab meat, peas, diced onions, celery, and bell peppers, all gently coated in a creamy mayo and dill dressing for a flavorful bite.

Crab Pasta Salad Recipe

Crab pasta salad is a creamy, refreshing dish packed with sweet crab meat, crisp veggies, and a tangy mayo-based dressing. The combination of tender pasta, crunchy bell peppers, and fresh dill makes it perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a light, flavorful lunch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 18 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 557 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup frozen peas thawed
  • 1 lb medium shells pasta
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 14 oz imitation crab meat
  • ½ cup red bell pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • ½ cup red onion peeled and chopped
  • Fresh chives chopped, for garnish
  • ½ cup celery chopped
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
    This image shows pasta boiling in a large pot of water, cooking until perfectly tender and ready to be combined with fresh ingredients for a delicious crab pasta salad.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down.
    This image shows freshly cooked pasta being drained in a colander, allowing excess water to run off before mixing it with crab and other salad ingredients.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with crab, peas, onion, celery, bell pepper, mayo, and dill, stirring gently until evenly coated.
    freshly-cooked-pasta-combined-with-crab-peas-celery-onions-and-bell-peppers-in-a-large-mixing-bowl
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
    This image shows a crab pasta salad being carefully seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a perfectly balanced taste with every bite.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • Before serving, uncover and garnish with fresh chives.
    This image shows a beautifully prepared crab pasta salad garnished with finely chopped fresh chives, adding a pop of green color and a burst of fresh, herby flavor to the dish.

Notes

  • Use fresh or canned crab meat, but ensure any shell fragments are removed.
  • Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo for a lighter, tangier variation.
  • For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of Old Bay seasoning.