Creamy Crab Pasta Salad

A cool, creamy pasta salad loaded with tender crab, crunchy vegetables, and a tangy dressing. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for lunch, picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta, such as rotini or shells
• 8 oz crab meat, cooked and flaked
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water, then let it cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
3. Add the cooled pasta, crab meat, celery, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and green onions.
4. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
6. Give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Add a little extra mayonnaise or lemon juice if the dressing has thickened too much.

Q&A

Can I use imitation crab?
Yes. Imitation crab works well and is an affordable option. Cut it into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the salad.

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes. It can be prepared several hours ahead and kept refrigerated until serving.

What pasta works best?
Rotini, shells, bow ties, and macaroni all work well because they hold onto the creamy dressing.

Can I make it lighter?
Yes. Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich dressing.