Best 6 Flavorful Crab Pasta Salad Recipes

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Crab pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is perfect for summer gatherings or potlucks, as it can be made ahead of time and served cold. With its combination of succulent crab, tender pasta, and a flavorful dressing, crab pasta salad is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. There are many different ways to make crab pasta salad, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. Whether you prefer a creamy dressing or a tangy vinaigrette, there is a crab pasta salad recipe out there for you. So read on to find the best recipe for your next gathering!

Let's cook with our recipes!

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

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

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

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

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

MIMA'S CRAB AND PASTA SALAD



Mima's Crab and Pasta Salad image

This pasta salad is my mom's recipe, and it's light and flavorful. The secret to getting the most flavor into it is to grate the veggies in. Perfect for a big crowd, a picnic, or the perfect side dish for sandwiches and barbeque.

Provided by The Pantry Elf

Categories     Penne

Time 30m

Yield 12-20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb penne pasta
1/2 yellow onion
1 green bell pepper
1 celery rib
1 carrot, peeled
1/2 lb imitation crabmeat (We like the flavor of this, because it adds a nice sweetness. You could substitute real crab meat if)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 -2 teaspoon dried dill
salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water, set aside.
  • In a large bowl, grate in the onion, bell pepper, celery, and carrot.
  • Shred the crab meat into the same bowl, then pour in the penne.
  • Add remaining ingredients and mix well, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Chill at least 4 hours before serving to allow flavors to blend. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 194.1, Fat 4.4, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 4.7, Sodium 192.6, Carbohydrate 35.3, Fiber 4.7, Sugar 2.1, Protein 4.5

Tips:

  • Use fresh crab meat. This will give your pasta salad the best flavor. If you can't find fresh crab meat, you can use frozen or canned crab meat, but the flavor will not be as good.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. If you overcook the pasta, it will become mushy and the salad will not be as good.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your salad. This will add color, flavor, and texture to the dish. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini.
  • Use a light dressing. A heavy dressing will overpower the other flavors in the salad. A good option is a vinaigrette dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
  • Serve the salad chilled. This will help the flavors to meld together and make the salad even more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Crab pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer meal. With its combination of fresh crab meat, tender pasta, and crisp vegetables, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing meal, give crab pasta salad a try!

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