Shrimp Pasta Salad

Name: Shrimp Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces elbow macaroni noodles; 2 stalks celery (chopped small); ½ red bell pepper (diced, seeds removed); ¼ cup chopped green onion; 2 cups salad shrimp (cooked); 1 cup mayonnaise; 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon yellow mustard; 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

5 from 5 votes

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By: Julie Evink3 Comments

Posted: 07/17/22 Updated: 08/12/22

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Quick and easy creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad comes together quickly for summer picnics and potlucks. Loaded with shrimp, onions, peppers and tossed in a creamy, homemade dressing. It’s the perfect pasta salad that will quickly become a go-to.

Not only is it easy to make, but you can make this shrimp salad the night before so it’s easy to grab and go when it’s time to share it. Letting it sit overnight allows the flavors to develop so it’s even more delicious! I love a great summer pasta salad and this one is right up there with my classic crab pasta salad!

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Bowl with Shrimp Pasta Salad and wooden spoons

Contents show

The Perfect Potluck Pasta Salad!

If you love traditional macaroni salad, you are going to LOVE this shrimp pasta salad. They are very similar and the flavors are always a crowd-pleaser!

The dressing is creamy and so delicious with mayo, a touch of mustard, lemon juice, seasonings, and a hint of sweetness.

The textures are great, too! Fresh bell pepper and celery add a nice crunch with the tender pasta.

It’s so easy to make – you can can have it made and in the fridge in about 15 minutes!

It’s the perfect side for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or just because! It goes with so many summer main dishes like grilled chicken, pork, and steak.

Ingredients for Shrimp Pasta Salad

Elbow macaroni – This is my favorite shape for this salad but you can use another pasta shape like penne, rotini, or orecchiette.
Celery – I like to chop it up finely so there aren’t big chunks but you still get that great crunch.
Bell pepper – Red bell pepper is great for flavor and a pop of color, but you can use another sweet bell pepper like orange or yellow.
Green onion – This adds a nice onion flavor that is not as overwhelming as white or red onion.
Salad shrimp – These are small frozen cooked shrimp. Just thaw them ahead of time and then they are ready to toss in the salad.
Mayonnaise – This is the base of the dressing and it makes it super creamy and delicious!
Distilled white vinegar – This adds a nice tangy flavor.
Granulated sugar – You don’t need a lot, just enough to balance out the acidity from the other salad dressing ingredients.
Garlic powder
Yellow mustard – This also adds a nice tangy flavor. You can also try Dijon mustard!
Lemon juice – Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
Salt and pepper

What else can you add to shrimp macaroni salad?

I like to keep it simple (and delicious!) but there are other ingredients you can add or swap for ingredients in this recipe.

I’ve seen versions with Old Bay seasoning (instead of garlic powder) or other spices like paprika or even a few pinches of cayenne pepper if you like some heat!
If you love lemon, try adding some lemon zest for an extra citrus punch.
Fresh herbs add a nice flavor, too. Fresh dill, fresh parsley, chopped chives, or some thyme would all work great in this recipe.
I love shrimp, but you you can also use cooked crab meat or lobster in this salad. Or, do a mix and call it seafood pasta salad!

Products Needed

Ingredients for mayonnaise dressing in bowl

How to Make Shrimp Pasta Salad

Boil: Cook the pasta following the package instructions. Once it’s al dente, drain it and rinse it under cold water to cool it.

Mix: In a large bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, mustard, and lemon juice. Add the chopped veggies, shrimp, and stir to combine.

Toss: Add the drained and rinsed macaroni pasta to the bowl and toss or stir to coat it evenly with the dressing.

Chill: Cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad for at least one hour before serving.

Make-Ahead, Serving, and Storage Tips

Make-Ahead: You can serve this shrimp pasta salad within an hour of making it, but it’s best if it can sit overnight in the refrigerator. This allows all of the flavors to meld so it’s even better.

Serving: This salad has a mayonnaise-based dressing so don’t let it sit out of the fridge for more than two hours (or less if it’s hot). If you’re serving it outdoors, it’s a good idea to keep it on ice in the cooler.

Leftovers: Any leftover pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Don’t let the summer slip by without trying this shrimp pasta salad recipe! Make it for your next cookout and I know it’ll be a hit. Enjoy!

More Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes

Caesar Pasta Salad is fresh and delicious with pasta, lettuce, and creamy Caesar dressing!
Italian Pasta Salad is another crowd favorite I love to make. It’s loaded with Italian ingredients and perfect for any summer party!
Who doesn’t love bacon and ranch? My Bacon Ranch Pasta salad is always a winner!
Tuna Pasta Salad combines a classic tuna salad with pasta for a delicious side dish!

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!