🦀 Creamy Crab Pasta Salad
Description
A light and creamy seafood pasta salad loaded with tender imitation crab meat, crisp cucumbers, and a tangy, herb-infused dressing. Perfect for summer lunches, picnics, or as a side dish at barbecues. Low in calories and incredibly satisfying!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow, rotini, or macaroni)
- 1 ½ cups imitation crab meat (or real crab), chopped
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced or diced
- ½ cup celery, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise (light or regular)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dill (fresh or dried)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or dill, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. - Prepare the dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dill, salt, and pepper. - Assemble the salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, crab meat, cucumber, celery, and red onion. - Mix everything
Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated. - Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. - Serve
Garnish with fresh dill or parsley and serve cold.
Notes
- You can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for extra protein.
- Substitute shrimp or tuna for crab if desired.
- Add hard-boiled eggs or corn for variation.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat mayo and skip the sour cream.
Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta — slightly firm pasta holds up better in the dressing.
- Chill before serving — enhances the flavor and texture.
- Add veggies last minute if you want them extra crisp.
Servings
Makes 4 servings (about 1 cup each).
Nutritional Info (Per Serving)
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
(Values may vary slightly based on ingredients used.)
Benefits
- Low in calories and high in protein.
- Rich in omega-3 (if using real crab).
- Keeps you full and refreshed without heaviness.
- Great meal-prep option — lasts up to 3 days refrigerated.
Q & A
Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: Yes! It tastes even better the next day after chilling.
Q: What’s the best pasta type?
A: Short pasta shapes like rotini, macaroni, or shells work best for holding the dressing.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Not recommended — the creamy dressing and pasta don’t freeze well.