Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender shrimp and pasta tossed with crisp vegetables in a creamy tangy dressing

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz small pasta shells or elbow macaroni

→ Seafood

02 - 10 oz cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp (medium size; thawed if frozen)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup celery, finely diced
04 - 1 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup cucumber, seeded and diced
07 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 - 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
11 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 1 tsp lemon zest
14 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shrimp, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, dill, and parsley. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
03 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic powder until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Fold gently with a large spoon until all ingredients are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Taste the chilled salad and adjust seasoning if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve cold.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy tangy dressing clings perfectly to every bite of pasta and shrimp
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble right before serving
02 -
  • Overcooking the pasta is the biggest mistake people make with this salad
  • The dressing seems thick at first but the pasta will absorb some as it chills
  • Always taste and adjust the seasoning after chilling because cold food needs more salt
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you need because they shrink when chilled
  • Pat the shrimp dry before adding them so the dressing does not become watery

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