Best 14 Colorful Pasta Salad With Crab Recipes

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Colorful pasta salad with crab is a vibrant and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its combination of tender pasta, succulent crab meat, and a variety of colorful vegetables, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing meal or a hearty and satisfying dish, this colorful pasta salad with crab is the perfect choice.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FLAVORFUL CRAB PASTA SALAD



Flavorful Crab Pasta Salad image

"After enjoying this recipe for years, I substituted fat-free mayonnaise and reduced-fat dressing one day," shares Heather O'Neill from Dudley, Massachusetts. "I was just delighted to find it kept all the same wonderful flavor!"

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked spiral pasta
1 package (8 ounces) imitation crabmeat, chopped
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onions
3/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/3 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, crab, peas, broccoli, green pepper and onions. Combine the mayonnaise, salad dressing and Parmesan cheese; pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 251 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 746mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

PASTA CRAB SALAD



Pasta Crab Salad image

"When it comes to cooking, I believe the simpler the better," writes Holland, Michigan's Carol Blauw. "A few years ago, a co-worker told me about this colorful, tasty and, most importantly, easy-to-prepare salad," she says. "It has been a favorite at our house ever since."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

4-1/2 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
1 package (16 ounces) imitation crabmeat, flaked
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup reduced-fat ranch salad dressing
1 teaspoon dill weed

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Toss with crab and vegetables. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 242 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 579mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

HERBED CRAB PASTA SALAD IN VINAIGRETTE



Herbed Crab Pasta Salad in Vinaigrette image

Orecchiette pasta is tossed with fresh herbs, jumbo lump crab, juicy tomatoes and crunchy celery and then simply dressed with oil and vinegar.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 small shallot, minced
8 ounces dried orecchiette
1 cup jumbo lump crab meat, picked over to remove shells
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
2 medium vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Whisk the oil, vinegar, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and add to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Add the crab, celery, basil, chives, parsley, tarragon and tomatoes to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

COLORFUL PASTA SALAD



Colorful Pasta Salad image

This salad is tasty and it takes very little time to prepare.

Provided by Michele

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (8 ounce) package seashell pasta
½ cup finely chopped cauliflower
½ cup finely chopped broccoli
½ cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup cottage cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a medium bowl combine cooled pasta, cauliflower, broccoli, red bell pepper, cottage cheese, salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271.3 calories, Carbohydrate 44.8 g, Cholesterol 8.4 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 15.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 238.8 mg, Sugar 3.3 g

IMITATION CRAB AND PASTA SALAD



Imitation Crab and Pasta Salad image

This is a cool and refreshing salad that is great for Summertime. It's a versatile recipe with ingredients that can be modified to your personal tastes.

Provided by MSippigirl

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb imitation crabmeat, roughly chopped
1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked (or other small shell pasta)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped (about 1 rib)
1/4 teaspoon onion salt (or more) or 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
1/4 teaspoon creole seasoning, like Tony Chachere's (or more)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper or 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 dash garlic salt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or more)
1 tablespoon sour cream (optional)
1 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package. Rinse until cool under cold tap water. Leave to drain well in a colander.
  • Chop crab meat in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, chop all desired veggies. Add pasta and all seasonings. Fold in mayo (and sour cream, if using). Adjust mayo and seasonings to personal taste. Gently fold in the crab meat.
  • Refrigerate. Stir again before serving, adding more mayo if needed.

FAVORITE CRAB PASTA SALAD



Favorite Crab Pasta Salad image

Wanda, a lady at work, made this for a party and boy, did it catch on fast! It's especially good for summer picnics and barbecues. -Cheryl Seweryn, Lemont, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
1 pound creamy coleslaw
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1 teaspoon dill weed
Dash salt
2 cups chopped imitation crabmeat

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large serving bowl, combine the coleslaw, mayonnaise, onion, dill and salt. Stir in crab., Drain pasta and rinse in cold water. Add to coleslaw mixture; toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 calories, Fat 20g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 508mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

COLORFUL SPIRAL PASTA SALAD



Colorful Spiral Pasta Salad image

Tackle gatherings with a bright pasta salad. This tricolor toss-up with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. -Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (12 ounces) tricolor spiral pasta
4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups Italian salad dressing with roasted red pepper and Parmesan

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water., Transfer to a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, olives, salt and pepper. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 513mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

JENNIFER'S CRAB PASTA SALAD



Jennifer's Crab Pasta Salad image

This colorful pasta salad is a tasty side dish that is great to take to partys or a cookout. By using the fake crab, it is an inexpensive salad to fix.

Provided by Crazycook in PA

Categories     Crab

Time 22m

Yield 9 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups cooked tri-colored pasta
1 1/2 cups imitation crabmeat, chopped
1 medium onion, minced
1 large tomatoes or 14 ounces diced tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 red pepper, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup original ranch dressing

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in boiling water until done and drain.
  • Chop up crab meat into 1/2 inch pieces and place in bowl.
  • Add rest of ingredients and mix thoroughly.
  • Chill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 229.4, Fat 18.1, SaturatedFat 4.9, Cholesterol 29.6, Sodium 690, Carbohydrate 10.6, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 4.7, Protein 6.8

CREAMY CRAB AND PASTA SALAD



Creamy Crab and Pasta Salad image

Crabmeat and pasta are tossed with a creamy seasoned sauce in this great chilled salad.

Provided by dakota kelly

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Crab Salad Recipes

Time 27m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (12 ounce) package uncooked pasta shells
½ cup light sour cream
½ cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound cooked crabmeat
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup diced green bell pepper
½ cup chopped green onions

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells 10 to 12 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
  • In a bowl, blend the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey mustard, and dill. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, sour cream mixture, crabmeat, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and green onions. Cover and chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 calories, Carbohydrate 35.6 g, Cholesterol 54.3 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 504.1 mg, Sugar 3.5 g

SEAFOOD PASTA SALAD



Seafood Pasta Salad image

Something different that's great for picnics. My family begs for it all year!

Provided by flwrpwr60

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Crab Salad Recipes

Time 5h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ (8 ounce) packages tri-color pasta
3 stalks celery
1 pound imitation crabmeat
1 cup frozen green peas
1 cup mayonnaise
1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; rinse under cold water until cool and drain.
  • While pasta is cooking, chop celery and crabmeat. Run hot water over peas to defrost.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, milk, salt and pepper. Add the pasta, celery and crabmeat and stir until evenly coated. Adjust the salt, sugar or mayonnaise to suit your taste. Chill several hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.3 calories, Carbohydrate 46.4 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 22.9 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 11.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 962.2 mg, Sugar 8.8 g

FRUITY CRAB PASTA SALAD



Fruity Crab Pasta Salad image

A sweet ginger dressing spices up this tasty medley of oranges, grapes, crabmeat and pasta. It's an ideal warm-weather entree. -Darlene Jurek, Foley, Minnesota.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup uncooked spiral pasta
1 package (8 ounces) imitation crabmeat
1 snack-size cup (4 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1/4 cup halved seedless red grapes
1/4 cup halved seedless green grapes
1/4 cup reduced-fat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
1-1/2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a small bowl, combine the pasta, crab, oranges and grapes., Combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, honey and ginger; pour over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 322 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 215mg sodium, Carbohydrate 55g carbohydrate (20g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

EASY 1970S CRAB AND PASTA SALAD



Easy 1970s Crab and Pasta Salad image

I remember eating this as a kid in the 70s. It was delicious!

Provided by LynJudd

Time 8h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups seashell pasta
3 (6 ounce) cans crabmeat, drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
½ cup chopped onion
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
  • Mix crab and lemon juice into the pasta, followed by water chestnuts, mayonnaise, onion, salt, and pepper.
  • Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours, or overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 511.4 calories, Carbohydrate 36.4 g, Cholesterol 50.4 mg, Fat 34.3 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 16.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 418.3 mg, Sugar 3 g

COLORFUL BLACK BEAN AND CRAB SALAD



Colorful Black Bean and Crab Salad image

This is a very colourful side dish that I serve with jerk chicken or barbecued steaks. I quite often will take this to a pot luck along with several copies of the recipe, as it is always requested. For more of a bite, add a finely chopped jalapeno directly to the salad in addition to the sliced jalapenos on top.

Provided by Just Call Me Martha

Categories     Crab

Time 20m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 (19 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies, drained
1/4 cup minced cilantro
4 green onions, chopped
12 ounces surimi (artificial crab meat)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons water
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 jalapeno peppers, sliced

Steps:

  • Mix together corn, black beans, red pepper, chilies, cilantro, green onions and seafood.
  • Add cumin and pepper to minced or crushed garlic.
  • Mix into a paste.
  • Add vinegar, lime juice and water to garlic mixture.
  • Mix well.
  • Whisk in olive oil.
  • Pour dressing over corn, bean mixture and stir well.
  • Top with thinly sliced jalapeno peppers.

CRAB AND PASTA SALAD



Crab and Pasta Salad image

Easy pasta salad using surimi (imitation) crab, pasta and poppy seed dressing. Pasta shells or gemelli will work, but rotelli is easy to pick up with the crab and I like the colorful pasta. If you only have a sweet poppy seed dressing, add some red wine vinegar or lime juice to give it some tartness.

Provided by pattyp

Categories     Crab

Time 22m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups cooked tri-colored rotelle pasta
1 lb imitation crabmeat, chunks (surimi)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2/3 cup poppy seed dressing (La Martinique or a sweet or sour variety)
salt & pepper
0.5 (8 ounce) bag mozzarella cheese or 0.5 (8 ounce) bag provolone cheese, mix

Steps:

  • Cook the noodles al dente, rinse and cool. I like to gently remove the water from the noodles by tossing with paper towels in my hand -- they hold the sauce better.
  • Rinse the crab meat and separate into bite sized pieces.
  • In a large bowl, combine the crab, mayonnaise, poppy seed dressing, salt & pepper.
  • Add the noodles and a handful of the cheese to the crab mixture and combine.
  • Refrigerate for at least an hour, and add more parmesan to the top to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.9, Fat 8.5, SaturatedFat 3.2, Cholesterol 32.6, Sodium 825.7, Carbohydrate 40.5, Fiber 4, Sugar 5.5, Protein 12.5

Colorful Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing – A Nutrition-Packed Fiesta of Goodness

Treat your taste buds to a vibrant and flavorful symphony with this delectable recipe for a Colorful Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing. This culinary masterpiece is a harmonious medley of textures, colors, and flavors that will leave you craving more.

The symphony of ingredients in this flavorful dish includes tricolor rotini, crisp and vibrant broccoli florets, sweet and juicy baby tomatoes, fresh and aromatic basil, and the tang of red onions. It's a vibrant feast for the eyes and a symphony of flavors on the palate.

The zesty Lemon Herb Dressing is the maestro of this culinary orchestra, providing a perfect balance of tanginess and zesty zest. The aromatic symphony of fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano harmonize beautifully with the bright and tangy flavors of the citrusy vinaigrette.

Top Culinary Tricks for a Flawless Pasta Salad

  • 1. Pasta Precision: Cook your tricolor rotini to al-dente, achieving that perfect balance between a pleasantly firm texture and a slight "bite." This culinary finesse will prevent the noodles from becoming too soft or soggy.
  • 2. Chilly Symphony: Embrace the magic of ice-cold water to create a refreshing contrast to your freshly-cooked rotini. This culinary technique, known as "shocking," immediately halts the cooking process, preserving the vibrant colors of the veggies while providing a delightful chill.
  • 3. Dressing Finesse: Create a flavorful tapestry by adding the vibrant Lemon Herb Dressing just before serving. This culinary artistry ensures that each element of the symphony, from the vibrant rotini to the crisp veggies, is perfectly coated in the zesty embrace of the citrusy vinaigrette.

A Culinary Finale: A Symphony of Goodness

This recipe for Colorful Pasta Salad is a culinary masterpiece that transcends ordinary lunch fare, transforming it into a vibrant and unforgettable experience. Each element of this dish, from the tricolor rotini to the zesty Lemon Herb Dressing, plays a harmonious role, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more.

So, embark on this culinary journey, embrace the flavors, and indulge your taste buds in the symphony of delights that await.

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