Whether you serve it as a hearty side or a light dinner, this salad strikes a perfect balance of texture and flavor. It’s creamy, refreshing, and packed with color and crunch.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
Perfect for Summer: Cool, crisp, and creamy—everything you want in warm weather.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Preps easily the day before and tastes even better after chilling.
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s colorful, comforting, and loaded with familiar flavors that appeal to all ages.
Versatile: Enjoy it as a main dish, serve it at a cookout, or pack it for lunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad:
2 cups bowtie pasta (or any small pasta), cooked and cooled
2 cups imitation crab meat (surimi), chopped
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional for a little zing)
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy twist
1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt & pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions.
Drain, then rinse under cold water to cool it quickly and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
3. Prep the Salad Ingredients
Chop the imitation crab meat into bite-sized pieces. Slice cucumbers thinly, chop the carrots, and finely dice the red onion if you’re using it.
4. Combine Everything
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, crab meat, cucumber, carrots, red onion, and dill. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
5. Chill and Serve
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors blend. Just before serving, give it one more toss and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh dill or black pepper.
Tips & Variations
Want more veggies? Add sweet peas, celery, or bell pepper for extra crunch and color.
Make it protein-rich: Toss in some cooked shrimp or hard-boiled eggs.
Lower-calorie option: Use light mayo or plain Greek yogurt.
For seafood lovers: Swap imitation crab for real lump crab meat for an elevated twist.
Storage
This salad stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. In fact, it may taste even better on the second day as the flavors continue to develop.
Serve It With…
Grilled chicken or seafood
Corn on the cob
Fresh watermelon slices
Garlic bread or rolls
Final Thoughts
Creamy Crab Pasta Salad is one of those timeless recipes that brings people together. It’s cool, comforting, and packed with nostalgic charm. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or making lunch for the week, this dish hits all the right notes: creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory.
So grab a big bowl, chill it down, and get ready to watch it disappear—because this is one summer classic that never goes out of style.
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