Easy Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe with Imitation Crab

Are you in the mood for a creamy cold pasta salad with a delicious seafood twist? Look no further than this fantastic and easy seafood pasta salad recipe. Made with imitation crab meat and a medley of vibrant vegetables, this pasta salad is the perfect dish for a weeknight meal, a potluck gathering, or a summer cookout. The tangy dressing combines sour cream, milk, and ranch dressing to create a zesty flavor that complements every ingredient beautifully.

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What Makes This Seafood Pasta Salad So Good? 

Seafood pasta salads can be iffy. Striking the perfect balance between the sauce, seafood, and pasta isn’t always easy. But this seafood salad recipe with pasta gets it right.

The creamy sour cream and ranch sauce are just tart enough to bring out the slight brininess of the imitation crab, and the veggies add a crunch that contrasts beautifully with the perfectly cooked pasta. Make this Seafood Pasta Salad recipe asa light lunch or serve it as part of dinner. 

Why This Seafood Salad Is Perfect for a Pot Luck Dinner 

This is the kind of dish that, when it shows up on the table at a potluck, you’d better take an extra-large helping because there isn’t going to be any left when you go back for seconds. If you show up with this salad, your friends will be impressed. And there is no reason to tell them how quick, easy, and inexpensive it is to make enough to feed a crowd!

Seafood Pasta Salad Ingredients 

For the Pasta Base:

• Penne pasta – The perfect shape for holding the creamy dressing and providing substantial texture
• Salt – Essential for flavoring the pasta water, especially important for cold pasta salads

For the Creamy Dressing:

• Sour cream – Provides the rich, tangy base that complements the seafood perfectly
• Ranch dressing – Adds herby flavor and additional creaminess to the sauce
• Whole milk – Helps achieve the perfect consistency and smooths out the dressing

For the Seafood and Vegetables:

• Imitation crab meat – Affordable seafood option that provides sweet, briny flavor and appealing texture
• White onion – Adds a sharp bite and crunch that brightens the rich dressing
• Green bell pepper – Contributes fresh crunch and vibrant color to the salad
• Celery – Provides classic crispness and subtle flavor that complements seafood

Imitation crabmeat is a common ingredient in Japanese cooking, and you can find it at most Asian grocery stores or online. It’s made from fish pureed with other ingredients and then formed to resemble the real thing.

You can use other pasta instead of penne. Macaroni, rotini, or ziti are great choices.

How to Make This Seafood Salad With Pasta

To cook the pasta:

1. Boil the pasta in heavily salted water according to the package instructions. Don’t forget cold temperatures mute flavors. That means you will want more salt than usual.  
2. Cook the pasta for about a minute longer than you would if you were making hot pasta. You are looking for something a little more tender than al dente. 
3. Pour the pasta into a colander and rinse under cold running water to cool immediately. 
4. Toss the pasta in the colander over the sink to remove as much water as possible. Allow the pasta to drain well. 

To finish the seafood salad with pasta:

1. Combine the sour cream, ranch dressing, and milk in a large mixing bowl. Stir well. 

2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least two hours to allow the flavors to meld. 
3. Just before you remove the sauce from the fridge, cut the imitation crab meat into bite-sized pieces. Chop the white onion, green peppers, and 2 stalks of celery into small pieces. Combine them with the pasta in a large bowl.

4. Remove the well-chilled sauce from the refrigerator. Add the remaining sauce ingredients to the mixing bowl.
5. Add the sauce to the pasta mixture and stir until well combined.  
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it for at least two more hours before serving.
7. Garnish with paprika or herbs, such as fresh dill or parsley.

What to Serve With Imitation Crab Pasta Salad

This recipe for Seafood Pasta Salad without mayonnaise may be a healthier option, but it is still extremely decadent. Pairing the pasta salad with sides that can cut some of the richness of the sauce work really well. Here are a few suggestions:

• Garlic bread adds a crunchy texture to the meal and a strong, intense garlic flavor.  
• A Greek or Caesar salad will add more fresh vegetables and help boost the acidity of the seafood pasta salad. 
• Coleslaw, but not the kind with mayo. The best type of coleslaw to pair with seafood salad contains shredded cabbage and carrots tossed with oil and vinegar!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage – Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days maximum. Never leave seafood pasta salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Food Safety – It is not safe to consume any seafood that has warmed to room temperature. Always keep chilled until serving.
• Freezing – Not recommended, as both the creamy dressing and seafood will not maintain quality when frozen and thawed.

Favorite Pasta Salads

• Broccoli Pasta Salad
• Shrimp Pasta Salad
• Spaghetti Salad
• Suddenly Pasta Salad

Popular Side Dish Salads

• Ambrosia Fruit Salad
• Black Bean and Corn Salad
• Creamy Grape Salad
• Dill Potato Salad
• Orange Fluff Jello Salad
• Potato Salad with Eggs
• Sauerkraut Salad
• Sour Cream Beet Salad
• Waldorf Salad

Check out my easy pasta recipes and the best salad recipes on CopyKat!