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Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe

Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

A refreshing and creamy shrimp pasta salad featuring elbow macaroni, crisp celery, bell pepper, and a tangy, flavorful dressing perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light lunches.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped small (about 1 cup chopped celery)
  • ½ red or green bell pepper, diced, seeds removed (approximately ⅔ cup)
  • ¼ small onion, diced (approximately ¾ cup)

Shrimp

  • 2 cups small salad shrimp, cooked

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon celery seed
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste (typically a heaping ¼ teaspoon more)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook macaroni noodles al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process, drain again, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Combine Vegetables and Shrimp: Add chopped celery, diced bell pepper, diced onion, and cooked salad shrimp to the macaroni. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, distilled white vinegar, granulated sugar, celery seed, ground mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
  4. Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
  5. Chill and Serve: Cover the shrimp pasta salad and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, stir the salad again to redistribute the dressing.

Notes

  • Cook the macaroni until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy after refrigeration.
  • Small salad shrimp are pre-cooked and usually found frozen in the seafood section; thaw completely before use.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, after assembling the salad and refrigerating.
  • The salad is best served chilled and can be made a day in advance for optimal flavor.
  • For a lighter version, substitute some or all mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta salad, cold pasta salad, seafood pasta salad, picnic salad, easy shrimp salad

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/shrimp-pasta-salad-recipe/