Shrimp Pasta Salad

Loaded with crunchy vegetables and tender juicy shrimps, this creamy shrimp pasta salad is easy and quick to make and it’s absolutely delicious. This refreshing summer salad can be made with only a few ingredients and it’s perfect for summer gatherings.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes

Total Time 12 minutes

Servings

Calories 298kcal

Author chunkyinkentucky

Ingredients

3 cups pasta cooked
1 lb small shrimp cooked
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
3 celery stalks diced
salt and pepper to taste

dressing

¾ cup mayonnaise
2 tsp ketchup
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp black pepper
¼ tsp paprika ground
½ tsp cajun seasoning optional

Instructions

To make creamy salad dressing mix all the ingredients mentioned under dressing.
In a large mixing bowl add cooked shrimps, cooked pasta, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, and celery. Add salad dressing and carefully mix to combine. Adjust salt and pepper to preference.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Garnish with chopped parsley; Serve and enjoy!

Notes

It is advisable to consume this dish fresh. However, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container for 1 day in the refrigerator.
Freezing is not recommended.
I’ve used rotini pasta here but you can swap it with fusilli, or, penne, or any other pasta with deep grooves for holding the sauce.
I’ve used small bite-size shrimp in the recipe as it makes the salad easier to eat. But, you can also use larger shrimp that have been diced into bite-size pieces.
You can add or omit different ingredients in the salad as per your liking. For example – you can add veggies such as red or green onions, corn, jalapeños, etc. You can even add a tsp of old bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning for an added flavor.
You can use fresh or frozen shrimps (defrosted and dried). If using frozen shrimp just make sure to cook them or use the pre-cooked ones.
To cook shrimp: Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Turn off the heat, add the shrimp and let them cook for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink. Drain and set aside until cool.

Nutrition