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To make this Super Easy Crab Pasta Salad, gather these simple ingredients: - 8 ounces small pasta (like shells or elbows) - 1 cup crab meat (canned or fresh) - 1/2 cup mayonnaise - 1/4 cup Greek yogurt - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/2 cup celery, diced - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish You can swap some ingredients for different flavors. For pasta, use fusilli or rotini. If you prefer, use shrimp instead of crab. For a lighter dressing, swap mayonnaise with more yogurt. You can also add chopped bell peppers for extra crunch. If you run out of an ingredient, don’t worry! Here are some easy swaps: - Replace crab with tuna for a different taste. - Use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt for creaminess. - If you don’t have Dijon mustard, yellow mustard works too. - For a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free pasta. These options keep the dish tasty and fun. Use what you have! Follow the Full Recipe for a complete guide to making this salad. To start, you need to cook the pasta. Use 8 ounces of small pasta, like shells or elbows. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Then, add the pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it's al dente. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta. Rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking. This also cools it down for the salad. Next, let's make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt. These give the salad a creamy base. Now, stir in 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This adds a nice zing. Then, sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk everything together until it's smooth. Now, it's time to combine all the ingredients. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then, add 1 cup of crab meat, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of diced celery, and 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion. Gently fold everything together. Make sure all the pasta and veggies are coated in the dressing. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. If it feels too thick, add a splash of water or more lemon juice. Chill the pasta salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend well. After chilling, serve in bowls and sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a lovely touch. You can find the full recipe in the earlier section. You can serve crab pasta salad in many ways. Try it in a bowl or on a plate. For a fun twist, serve it in avocado halves. This adds flavor and looks nice. You can also pair it with crackers or fresh bread. A side of mixed greens makes a great addition. This adds crunch and freshness to your meal. To boost flavor, consider adding fresh herbs. Dill or chives work well. You can also add a dash of hot sauce for a kick. If you love citrus, try adding more lemon juice or zest. This brightens the dish and makes it zing. For a creamier texture, mix in a bit more mayonnaise or yogurt. Just remember to taste as you go. Don’t skip rinsing the pasta after cooking. This helps cool it down and stops cooking. Over-mixing the salad can make it mushy. Gently fold the ingredients instead. Make sure to chill the salad long enough. This allows the flavors to blend well. Taste for seasoning before serving. You can always add a little more salt or pepper. {{image_2}} You can boost the nutrition by adding veggies. Think of bell peppers, cucumbers, or spinach. These add color and crunch. Chop them small so they blend well with the pasta. You can mix in about 1 cup of veggies for a fresh twist. Not a fan of crab? No problem! You can try shrimp, chicken, or even chickpeas. Just cook the protein first. For shrimp, boil them until pink. For chicken, grill or bake it. Use about 1 cup of your chosen protein for a tasty change. Switching up the dressing can change the whole salad. Try adding some sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness. You can also use ranch or vinaigrette. Just keep the base of mayo and yogurt for creaminess. Adjust the flavors to fit your taste! For more ideas, check out the Full Recipe, where you can find all the steps! To keep your crab pasta salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps prevent it from drying out. Place the container in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days. When you want to eat it again, check for any changes in smell or texture. I don't recommend freezing this salad. The pasta and dressing can change in texture. If you freeze it, the salad might become mushy when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, you don’t need to reheat them. This salad tastes great cold. Just take it out of the fridge and serve. If you prefer warm pasta flavors, you can briefly warm it in the microwave. Heat gently to avoid cooking the crab meat. I like to use small pasta shapes like shells or elbows. They hold the dressing well and mix nicely with the crab. Shells add a fun look, and elbows are easy to eat. You can even try rotini for a twist. The key is to pick a pasta that cooks quickly and is easy to bite. Yes, you can! This salad is great for making ahead. If you prepare it, the flavors blend better over time. Just cover it and chill in the fridge. You can make it up to a day in advance. Just remember to stir it well before serving. The crab pasta salad stays fresh for about three to four days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in a sealed container. Always check for any off smells or changes in color before eating. If you notice anything odd, it’s best to toss it out. Enjoy it while it’s fresh for the best taste! For the full recipe, check out the detailed steps above. This blog post covered all key steps for making crab pasta salad. We explored the necessary ingredients, tasty variations, and helpful tips. Remember to choose pasta wisely and not skip the dressing, as it boosts flavor. With this guide, you can create a delicious dish that impresses. Enjoy experimenting with ingredients and serving options. Your crab pasta salad will surely be a hit!

Super Easy Crab Pasta Salad

Discover the ultimate summertime dish with this Super Easy Crab Pasta Salad! In just 15 minutes of prep, you can whip up this refreshing and creamy salad packed with crab meat, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for picnics or weeknight dinners, it's a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for more. Click through to explore this delightful recipe and impress your guests today!
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Ingredients
  

8 ounces small pasta (like shells or elbows)

1 cup crab meat (canned or fresh)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup celery, diced

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.

      Add the cooled pasta, crab meat, cherry tomatoes, diced celery, and red onion to the bowl. Gently fold the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated with the dressing.

        Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If the salad is too thick, you can add a splash of water or more lemon juice for desired consistency.

          Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

            Serve in bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley on top.

              Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4-6