Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe
This Seafood Pasta Salad is a creamy, refreshing and flavour-packed dish made with tender prawns, crab, squid, perfectly cooked pasta and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Easy to prepare and perfect for lunches, picnics, barbecues or family gatherings, it's a colourful meal that's both satisfying and delicious. Ready in just over an hour, this chilled seafood salad is guaranteed to become a favourite for any occasion.
Equipment
- 1 Large Saucepan: Used to cook the pasta until perfectly al dente.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl Provides enough space to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl Ideal for whisking the creamy dressing until smooth.
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Makes chopping vegetables safely and evenly.
- 1 Cutting Board - Offers a stable and hygienic surface for preparing ingredients.
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons – Ensure accurate ingredient measurements for consistent results.
- 1 Silicone Spatula or Large Spoon – Gently folds the seafood and dressing together without breaking the ingredients.
- 1 Colander: Drains the cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
- 1 Citrus Zester – Produces fine lemon zest for extra freshness.
- 1 Refrigerator - Chills the Seafood Pasta Salad to develop its flavour before serving.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 350 g Fusilli Pasta
Seafood
- 250 g Cooked King Prawns
- 200 g Crab Meat
- 150 g Cooked Squid Rings
Vegetables
- 1 Cucumber - Diced
- 250 g Cherry Tomatoes - Halved
- 1 Red Bell Pepper - Finely Diced
- ½ Red Onion - Thinly Sliced
- 100 g Sweetcorn
- 100 g Garden Peas
- 2 Celery Stalks - Finely Chopped
Fresh Herbs
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Dill - Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley = Chopped
Creamy Dressing
- 180 g Mayonnaise
- 120 g Greek Yoghurt
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 2 Garlic Cloves - Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil - Extra Virgin
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Instructions
Step 1 – Cook The Pasta
- Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the fusilli pasta.
- Cook according to the packet instructions until al dente.
- Drain immediately using a colander.
- Rinse briefly under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
- Allow the pasta to cool completely before assembling your Seafood Pasta Salad.
Step 2 – Prepare The Seafood
- Pat the cooked prawns dry using kitchen paper.
- Check the crab meat carefully for any shell fragments.
- Slice any larger squid rings into bite-sized pieces.
- Refrigerate the seafood while preparing the remaining ingredients.
Step 3 – Chop The Vegetables
- Dice the cucumber into small cubes.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Finely dice the bell pepper.
- Thinly slice the red onion.
- Chop the celery.
- Finely chop the fresh parsley and dill.
- Keeping the vegetables a similar size ensures every forkful of Seafood Pasta Salad contains a perfect balance of ingredients.
Step 4 – Make The Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Mayonnaise
- Greek yoghurt
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Dijon mustard
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Continue whisking until the dressing becomes smooth, creamy and well combined.
Step 5 – Assemble The Seafood Pasta Salad
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the prawns, crab meat and squid.
- Stir in the cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, celery, peas and sweetcorn.
- Sprinkle over the chopped dill and parsley.
- Pour the dressing evenly over everything.
- Using a silicone spatula, gently fold all the ingredients together until every piece is evenly coated.
- Avoid overmixing to keep the seafood intact and ensure your Seafood Pasta Salad remains light and beautifully textured.
Step 6 – Chill Before Serving
- Cover the bowl tightly.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, gently stir the Seafood Pasta Salad once more.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra lemon juice, salt or black pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, dill and lemon wedges for an elegant finish.
Notes
- 🦐 Use Fresh or Well-Drained Seafood: Fresh seafood delivers the best flavour, but if you're using frozen seafood, thaw it completely and pat it dry to prevent a watery Seafood Pasta Salad.
- 🍝 Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly firm pasta holds its shape better and won't become soft after chilling.
- ❄️ Cool the Pasta Before Mixing: Allow the pasta to cool completely before adding the dressing and seafood to maintain the perfect creamy texture.
- 🥣 Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the Seafood Pasta Salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavours to develop fully.
- 🍋 Fresh Lemon Makes A Difference: Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for the brightest, freshest flavour.
- 🌿 Add Fresh Herbs Last: Sprinkle fresh dill and parsley over the salad just before serving for the best colour and aroma.
- 🧂 Season Before Serving: Taste the salad after chilling and adjust with a little extra salt, black pepper or lemon juice if needed.
- 🥗 Handle Gently: Fold the ingredients carefully to keep the seafood pieces intact and maintain an attractive presentation.
- 🥄 Best Enjoyed Fresh: Seafood Pasta Salad is at its best within 24–48 hours when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- 🚫 Do Not Freeze: Freezing is not recommended, as the creamy dressing can separate and the vegetables may lose their crisp texture after thawing.