This creamy seafood macaroni salad is loaded with shrimp, imitation crab meat, and tender elbow macaroni pasta coated in a tangy dressing. The perfect pasta salad!
Y’all might think that the season for pasta salad is strictly summer… but I am here to prove you wrong! I love easy pasta salad recipes, and apparently, so do a lot of my subscribers! I have been getting many recipe requests asking, “Cousin Rosie, can you post an easy macaroni salad recipe?”
Well, you guys are in luck! I already have a couple of macaroni salad recipes, such as my classic macaroni salad and summer pasta salad. Now, I’m sharing a very simple seafood pasta salad recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Seafood Macaroni Salad Recipe
What’s NOT to love about creamy pasta salad? My seafood pasta salad combines some of my favorite things: tender pasta, a delicious creamy dressing, and flavorful seafood… all with MINIMAL effort. Yes, it’s perfect on a hot summer day, but really, it’s the perfect side dish any time. Imagine a large bowl of this seafood salad on special occasions—a family reunion, holiday potluck, or gameday party. You don’t have to wait until the summer months to enjoy this delicious salad!
Ingredients for Creamy Seafood Pasta Salad
Okay, Cousins, let’s get down to business… the ingredients for my seafood salad recipe! Here is everything I use. The beauty of pasta salad is that you can customize it to your tastes (we’ll talk about ingredient substitutions in a little bit). You can find the full ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Elbow Macaroni: I used large elbow macaroni pasta, but small elbows also work.
- Cooked Shrimp: make sure to remove the shells and tails.
- Imitation Crab Meat: you can definitely use real crab meat if you have it. Imitation is less expensive, and I LOVE the flavor.
- Diced Veggies: fresh vegetables add color and crunch to the seafood pasta salad. I use a combination of celery, green onions, and sliced black olives. If you don’t like any of these, leave ‘em out!
- Mayonnaise and Yellow Mustard: the base of the creamy salad dressing. Mayo is just slightly sweet and creamy, while the mustard is zesty and tangy.
- Lemon Juice: adds the perfect citrus flavor that goes oh-so-well with seafood.
- Seasonings: this recipe packs a punch with the seasoning! Garlic, Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and classic black pepper.
What’s the best pasta to use in seafood macaroni salad?
If we’re staying true to the name, we should use elbow macaroni. I like the large elbows, which fit well with the larger chunks of imitation crabmeat and shrimp in this salad. But regular-size elbow macaroni works too. You could also use shell pasta—small or large shells—or another kind of tubular pasta like cavatappi or ditalini. Even bow-tie pasta would work!
What are some other vegetables that go well in seafood pasta salad?
You can add just about any vegetables you like! Fresh vegetables in pasta salad add crunch, color, and flavor, so the sky’s the limit. Other yummy additions would be bell pepper—red pepper or green pepper diced up into small pieces, red onion, carrots, or peas. We’re staying away from the sweet version of pasta salad—this recipe doesn’t use any sugar, so I would avoid using sweet pickles or sweet relish.
How to Make Creamy Seafood Macaroni Salad
This crab and shrimp pasta salad recipe truly could not be any easier! The only cooking necessary is the pasta! Watch me whip together this quick, easy cold pasta salad in my video tutorial below. Don’t forget to subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube for more easy recipe videos!
- First, boil a large pot of salted water on the stovetop. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Prep the crab, shrimp, and veggies. This step is quick and easy since I’m using imitation crab and already-cooked shrimp! You just have to cut everything up into bite-sized pieces and then set it aside.
- Make the dressing. Combine the mayo, mustard, lemon juice, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl and whisk it together until combined.
- Now, mix everything together in one large mixing bowl until it’s evenly coated with the creamy dressing!
Crab and shrimp macaroni salad is best served cold, so prepare it at least a few hours ahead to give it time to chill in the refrigerator. It’s even better if you can make it the day before—that way, the flavors can marry overnight. The outcome is amazing!
Recipe Variations and Tips for the Perfect Seafood Macaroni Salad
Now, this is already a great recipe; don’t get me wrong, Cousins! It’s a family favorite, and in my house, we don’t mess with perfection! However, I understand that not everyone has the same taste buds, and y’all are always asking me about subbing out this ingredient for that. So, I might as well offer some Cousin Rosie knowledge while I’ve got you here.
- Some people like more dressing, some like less. If you like less mayo in your seafood pasta salad, use less! Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
- Dijon mustard works perfectly well in place of yellow mustard. I prefer the classic tang of yellow mustard, myself.
- If you don’t like a lot of heat, switch out the Cajun seasoning for seasoning salt. That way, you’ll get the flavor boost without the heat kick.
- If you do like some heat to your seafood pasta salad, use your favorite Cajun seasoning. Y’all already know I use Tony Chachere’s. You can also toss in some red pepper flakes or top your own serving with hot sauce.
- If you want smaller chunks of seafood in your salad, chop everything up finer. You can use baby shrimp in place of large shrimp—just make sure you’re using peeled and deveined shrimp for ease.
- Feel free to add crumbled hard-boiled eggs to your seafood salad! It’s not my vibe, but you do you, boo boo!
Should you rinse macaroni when making seafood macaroni salad?
Yes! In fact, making cold pasta salad is the only time I should catch y’all rinsing your cooked pasta! Giving the pasta a rinse in cold water will prevent it from sticking together, as well as help it cool down quicker. A little drizzle of olive oil will also prevent clumping.
Is it better to use cooked or raw seafood in seafood salad?
The seafood should definitely be cooked, but whether you buy raw or pre-cooked is totally up to you. If you have leftover real lump crab meat, use that! If you have raw shrimp on hand, go ahead and cook them, then cool them off in an ice bath for quick cooling. You can swap out (or add) canned tuna in this recipe (just make sure to drain it before adding to the salad). Because seafood macaroni salad is usually left out at room temperature when served, it should be very chilled ahead of time, and don’t let it sit out for more than a few hours (especially outdoors or in the heat).
What goes well with seafood salad?
Whether you’re serving seafood pasta salad as a tasty side dish or as the main dish (it’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner), you can pair it with plenty of other options for a complete, delicious meal. Here are some ideas:
- A simple green salad
- Fried chicken—try my Southern Fried Chicken, Spicy Keto Chicken, or easy Oven “Fried” Chicken
- Surf & turf—pair seafood salad with steak dishes, like a juicy Wagyu steak, a garlic steak date night dinner, or steak and pepper kabobs
- Classic grill-out foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, or sausage and peppers
How to Store Seafood Macaroni Salad
Seafood salad isn’t a long-lasting fridge salad, so once it’s ready, you want to enjoy it soon! Plus, it’s such a favorite that you’ll unlikely have leftovers anyway! Store any leftover seafood pasta salad in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to two days. I would not suggest making it more than a day ahead of time for the best flavor.
More Easy Cold Salad Recipes
Want more pasta salad recipe ideas? Here are some favorite salads I’ve posted before:
- Southern Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad with Salami and Parmesan
- BLT Macaroni Salad
- Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
- Dill Pickle & Ranch Pasta Salad
- Crab Louie Salad Recipe
Loved this recipe? Be sure to share and save the recipe on Pinterest! Keep up with Rosie and I Heart Recipes on social media—you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check out my cookbooks!
Seafood Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups dry elbow macaroni pasta large or small will work
- 1 tsp salt for the pasta water
- 1 lb cooked shrimp shells removed
- 1 lb imitation crab meat
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/3 cup diced celery
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp old bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp parsley flakes optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in lightly salted water (boil in a medium-sized pot, with 1 tsp of salt) until it's al dente.3 cups dry elbow macaroni pasta, 1 tsp salt
- Drain the pasta once done, and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl. combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Now sprinkle in the cajun seasoning and old bay seasoning. Mix well.1 tsp cajun seasoning, 1 tsp old bay seasoning
- Add in the minced garlic.1 tsp minced garlic
- Add in the seafood, and toss or stir in the bowl until it's covered with the dressing.1 lb cooked shrimp, 1 lb imitation crab meat
- Add in the onions, celery, and olives.1/4 cup chopped green onion, 1/2 cup sliced black olives, 1/3 cup diced celery
- Next add in the elbow macaroni pasta, and fold all of the ingredients.
- Sprinkle in the dried parsley flakes and fold the ingredients.1 tbsp parsley flakes
- Cover the pasta, and refrigerate until it’s nice and cold.
- Serve and enjoy!
Love all the flavors of this pasta salad. Definitely will be making this soon! Pinned. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mary!
Hey cuz, girl I love your crab pasta salad. I Made it for the family, and they asked me to make it all the time..thank you so much and God bless you and your family.. Much love
Thanks for the great recipes. Instead of using less dressing, I added a can of tuna and it worked perfectly. Maybe even adding smoked salmon would taste good.
Sounds good! XOXO
So. I made this salad and. Its the best macaroni salad. I have ever had. Like in all my 34 years on earth. And it went over so well with my picky 9 year old loved it. Rosie you are the bomb.com. keep the great recipes coming.
Hi Burgundy! Yesss!!! I love it too!! I have a few more macaroni salad recipes coming up that are just as amazing. Stay Tuned!
Hey Rosie! Thanks so much for this amazing recipe. It will now be my go-to recipe for seafood pasta salad.
I tried this recipe on this past weekend and it was a HIT!!!! It didn’t last a full day! My boys said it was the best seafood salad they ever had! I love trying your recipes.
Hi Maria! I’m so glad that you and the boys loved the recipe!!! XOXO
I just made the macaroni seafood salad, and it is delish! Thanks for sharing your wonderful food creations!
Hi, can I use real crab meat?
Absolutely
Can I use Italian dressing instead of mayo
That would definitely change the recipe.
Hi Rosie,
You are an amazing cook! Keep up the GREAT work! This recipe was such a hit at my family gathering. Everyone is requesting it now! Keep the recipes coming!
~Tamika
Hi Tamika!! Yay!!! So glad that everyone liked the recipe.
Does the Cajun seasoning make it spicy? My hubby doesn’t do hot. Thx
Yes, it does add a tiny bit of heat. You can use seasoning salt instead 🙂
Brought this to a potluck and everyone loved it! This is the first recipe of yours I’ve made. I’ll definitely be trying more!
YAY!! Glad that you like the recipe! XOXO
Can you make it with dijon mustard or would it taste better with yellow mustard?
I prefer yellow. It depends on your preference 🙂
Just looking and found you,so I’m going to try your recipe’s,Chief’s my name and cooking is my game my mom taught me as much as she can about cooking,also my dad too my mom is Native American Indian Chippewa and Ottawa and my Dad is Mexican and Apache between them both they help me to start from scratch,so now I do all the cooking in my family …
Awesome! Happy holidays.
Hi Rosie, what kind of mayo do you use for this seafood salad??
I used best foods mayonnaise.
Hello Rosie, How much minced garlic did you use in this recipe ( I didn’t see it listed in the ingredients)? THANK YOU for sharing your recipes. I have tried many of them and ALL of them turned out GREAT!!!
Hi there. I tsp of minced garlic! 🙂
Hi I was looking for a different recipe to make for my family and I came across your seafood salad i hope everyone enjoy tomorrow super bowl Sunday and also a dedication to my brother who passed away last super bowl Sunday.
Okay I hope you respond Rosie
Hi Julie, Sorry for your loss.
Thank You Rosie. Everyone enjoyed the seafood salad thanks and please send me more delicious recipes
Hi Julie. Please subscribe to my mailing list to receive recipes.
Hi Rosie I applied to your website and I look forward to more of your amazing recipes thank you again and god bless you and your family
Scrumptious recipe chock full of seafood, delicious vegetables and flavorful dressing. This would work so well for potlucks or picnics. I love your blog.
Thanks Valerie!
Do you have to add the olives
Nope. If you don’t like olives, leave them out.
I made this recipe for the second time today for dinner. I love it so much! The flavors are amazing!!! All of the recipes I have tried from you have come out amazing. Not sure what next one I plan to try!!! Thanks so much!!
Hey Rosie!
I love all your recipes! I wanted to make this for Thanksgiving and was wondering if I could make this the night before or would it get too soggy?
You can definitely make it the day before 🙂
Made this tonight. Delicious! Thank you for posting this!! This will be my go to for seafood salad from now on!
OMG! Rosie this seafood salad was excellent! you REALLY know how to season your foods that bring out the best, taseful favors. This will be my seafood/mac salad recipe from now on. I love your other recipies as well.
i’ll repeat you really know how to season food expertly and you are an superb cook and please continue to share your recipes. Thank you so much!
You posted this on Facebook recently and I made it yesterday. What a success!!! Very delicious. I added imitation lobster meat to it, and it was AWESOME. Thank you so much for posting this on FB!!!
Was looking for non crab cake recipe to use with imitation crab meat leftover from yesterday’s sushi and this was DELICIOUS! Didn’t have shrimp, so used one salmon filet. Didn’t have celery, so used a carrot. Dressing is a knockout! Thank you for sharing!
This recipe is right on time just seen you post it on Facebook! I’ve been craving a crab salad so I can imagine the macaroni and shrimp is going to add to it!
Hi Rosie, I made this seafood salad for my clergy group meeting, and they flipped out! There was none left! Now they want it every time we meet! Thanks so much! Your recipes are the bomb!
You Go DEE!!! Thanks so much for trying my recipe!! XOXO
Rosie,
You NEVER disappoint with your recipes! So many umami flavors I couldn’t help but gulp it all down! Husband slurped it down too. I added cucumber, tomato, and black olives to the dish with spaghetti noodles. So good! Much gratitude, Rosie. ❤️
I will be trying it tomorrow I have some extra real crab meat I’m going to get some shrimp and it’s on gurl.