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Crab Pasta Salad
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We love pasta salads and this Crab Pasta Salad is always a hit at parties, backyard BBQ’s and holidays. It’s super simple and is loaded with imitation crab meat, peas, broccoli, green pepper and onion. If you are looking for a delicious salad recipe for the summer you have to try this one!
Pasta salads are a staple for summer parties! I haven’t been to a backyard party that doesn’t feature some type of this salad. One of my favorites is this easy, creamy Crab Pasta Salad.
It’s a cold salad that can be made ahead of time and simply pulled out and served at a party. This is always great because I love prepping things ahead of time when I’m hosting!
You could even serve it as a main dish for dinner on busy weeknights. It’s loaded with vegetables, pasta and imitation crab meat making it a meal in one bowl.
Ingredients Needed
- Spaghetti
- Imitation crab meat
- Peas
- Broccoli florets
- Green pepper
- Green onion
- Mayonnaise
- Italian salad dressing
- Parmesan cheese
If you would like to use a different type of pasta you can use whatever you have on hand. Just make sure to cook whatever you use to al dente so it holds up and doesn’t become mushy when mixed with the dressing.
Steps to Prepare
- The first step to making this salad is to prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta when is cooked to al dente and rinse with cold water to help prevent the pasta from sticking together and stop the cooking process.
- Next grab a large bowl and combine your crab, peas, broccoli, pepper, onion and pasta.
- In a different small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, salad dressing and Parmesan cheese. Pour this mixture over your pasta mixture and toss to coat.
- Cover bowl and refrigerate at least two hours before serving.
Expert Tips!
- Store this in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.
- This will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
- If your salad becomes a little bit dry after sitting for a few days just add a bit more salad dressing to it. You can also toss the noodles in oil after cooking them to reduce how much dressing they will soak up.
- Do no allow this salad to sit out more than two hours when serving it.
- If you are letting it sit out at a party we recommend making an ice bath for it by sitting the bowl of salad in another bowl that has ice and water in it to keep it cool.
Finish the Meal!
- There’s nothing like flavorful, juicy steak especially when you make these Balsamic Steak Skewers for dinner!
- Summertime is meant for Baked Beans especially when they have bacon!
- Got a sweet tooth? Finish the meal with homemade Cookie Dough Ice Cream!
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Crab Pasta Salad
Pasta Salad Loaded with Crab Meat, Peas, Broccoli, Green Pepper and Onion tossed in a creamy dressing!
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 16 oz imitation crabmeat chopped
- 1 c. frozen peas thawed
- 1 c. broccoli florets
- 1/2 c. chopped green pepper
- 1/4 c. sliced green onion
- 3/4 c. fat-free mayonnaise
- 1/3 c. reduced fat Italian salad dressing
- 3 T grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl combine pasta, crab, peas, broccoli, pepper and onion.
- In a small bowl mix together mayonnaise, salad dressing and cheese. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
Notes
EXPERT TIPS!
- Store this in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.
- This will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
- If your salad becomes a little bit dry after sitting for a few days just add a bit more salad dressing to it. You can also toss the noodles in oil after cooking them to reduce how much dressing they will soak up.
- Do no allow this salad to sit out more than two hours when serving it.
- If you are letting it sit out at a party we recommend making an ice bath for it by sitting the bowl of salad in another bowl that has ice and water in it to keep it cool.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 8gFat: 3gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 507mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 445IUVitamin C: 41.2mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
I think Imitation Crab is tasteless; I will try this using the real th8ng.
Enjoy! We, in Midwestern US, have a hard time getting fresh crab so that’s why I went with imitation 🙂
Why imitation crab? Would fresh or canned crabmeat be good/better in this salad? Can it chill overnight if you need to make it ahead? Can you drop the broccoli and peas into the boiling pasta water for the last few minutes of cooking or are they better raw? thanks for the updates!
IMO, fresh crab or frozen is the way to go. Canned crab is awful. Frozen peas just defrosted., but broccoli needs to be cooked a bit. Otherwise a lot of people can’t chew it.
My friend, this looks amazing. Will be making it for our July 4th party. Can’t wait to try it!. 🙂
Hope you enjoyed it!
Oh Julie, I have SO been there! I very rarely do photos any more because they’re just too exhausting….there is literally ALWAYS a meltdown! And these days I’m not doing too much food photography either, but I would certainly do this pasta salad! Yum!!
Thanks Cathy! Glad I’m not the only one 🙂
This looks so awesome! My kids love crab and lobster, and I do too! I’m going to have to make this for a special treat!
Enjoy Michelle!
Julie this looks so refreshing and I love that you loved crab instead of something like chicken! Thanks for linking up as always to Cook it Craft it Share it! Have a great weekend!
Thanks Kelley!
Perfect for summer!
Totally! Can never have to many pasta salads in your arsenal!
Mmmm. I want me some of this pasta salad.
Enjoy!
This salad sure does sound yummy! Pinned to my Summer Salads board. Would love for you to stop by and link up with us at Wake Up Wednesday which will be live at 8pm (EST) tonight. Here is the link http://wp.me/p4fJXd-Dt
Thanks Shirley!
Your crab pasta salad looks just amazing!! Found your recipe at Two Cup Tuesday. I am one of the hostesses of Tickle My Tastebuds and would love you to stop by and link up this recipe if you have not yet already. Here is the link
http://bit.ly/1lNY6hK
Lori
Thanks Lori!
hi
am with the others. Cannot get the Crab Salad. Just states Shrimp Salad. Would like to get the crab salad.
Thanks
So very sorry not sure what happened there but it should be correct now!
I’m with the others who did not get the crab recipe – mine also showed shrimp. Love crab – shrimp, not so much.
Thanks!
Updated! SORRY!
Hi Julie, I am unable to find the Crab Pasta Salad recipe. The recipe posted today is with Shrimp.There is no mention of broccoli or green peppers. The recipe posted is for Shrimp Pasta Salad, which also looks good. Will you be posting the Crab Salad recipe?
Thank you…I love your website and look forward to all of you postings.
I’m so sorry! Should be correct now!
Hey Julie, Maybe I’m doing something wrong, but the recipe that pulls up when I click on Crab Pasta Salad doesn’t have crab or green pepper or green onions listed in the “Ingredient” section. The salad looks mouth-watering good in the picture so I immediately wanted to try it. Any suggestions on what I’m doing wrong trying to find the recipe?
Thanks.
Updated! It was my fault!
That looks awesome! Love the use of crab, looks like it would be great for a summery side dish! 🙂
Thanks!