The Ultimate Seafood Pasta Salad: A Delicious, Crowd-Pleasing Dish

Photo byAngie Bright

When it comes to making a dish that’s both flavorful and satisfying, seafood pasta salad stands out as a crowd-pleaser. Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or bringing a side dish to a family gathering, seafood pasta salad is always a hit. Its mix of fresh seafood, crunchy vegetables, and hearty pasta brings a perfect balance of textures and flavors that everyone will love.

This seafood pasta salad brings together the fresh, delicate flavor of shrimp and crab meat, paired with the crunchy bite of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Tri-color rotini adds visual appeal and soaks up the tangy dressing beautifully, while the seasoning brings out the full flavor of the seafood. The best part? It’s quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for those times when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

The combination of Olive Garden's Italian dressing and Salad Supreme seasoning adds a zesty punch to the dish, making it stand out from typical pasta salads. As you bite into the tender shrimp and crab meat, seasoned to perfection with Old Bay and Complete Season, you'll experience an explosion of flavor. The cucumbers and cherry tomatoes offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the seafood, creating a harmonious dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 boxes tri-color rotini, cooked
• 1 ½ sticks of butter
• 3 small cucumbers, cut into pieces
• 2 bags of large raw shrimp
• 3 packs of crab meat
• 1 bunch of green onions
• 1 pack of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 bottle Olive Garden Italian dressing
• Salad Supreme seasoning
• Old Bay and Complete Season for seasoning the shrimp

Instructions:

1. Start by cooking your tri-color rotini according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, melt 1 ½ sticks of butter over medium heat. Add the raw shrimp and crab meat to the pan and cook until the seafood is fully done, ensuring the shrimp turns pink and opaque. Season generously with Old Bay and Complete Season as the seafood cooks.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini, cucumbers, green onions, and cherry tomatoes.
4. Once the shrimp and crab meat have finished cooking, add them to the pasta mixture. Pour the entire bottle of Olive Garden Italian dressing over the salad and toss everything together.
5. Finally, sprinkle Salad Supreme seasoning over the salad to taste, adding extra seasoning if desired. Mix everything thoroughly and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

This refreshing and hearty seafood pasta salad can be served cold, making it ideal for a summer day or a light meal. It's not just about the flavor — the bright colors from the rotini, vegetables, and shrimp make it a visually appealing dish that’s sure to catch the eye. Whether you're serving it at a family gathering, barbecue, or just for a casual meal at home, this seafood pasta salad will impress anyone who tastes it.

The rich flavor of butter-cooked shrimp and crab meat combined with the tangy Italian dressing and crunchy vegetables creates a perfect balance in every bite. You can even get creative by adding more veggies or adjusting the seasoning to your personal preference, making it a versatile recipe for any occasion.

Sources:

1. Olive Garden Italian Dressing Recipe and Ingredients