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Featured image of creamy seafood pasta salad with crisp vegetables serve on a piece of melon.

Creamy Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe (with Low Carb Option)

Creamy seafood pasta salad with shrimp, crab, and a flavorful dressing. Make it with pasta or cauliflower for an easy low-carb option.
4.67 from 3 votes
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Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 7 servings
Calories 171 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces dry pasta shells (uncooked medium or 8 oz cauliflower florets (uncooked 1" sized pieces)
  • 2 stalks celery (sliced)
  • ½ cup ripe tomatoes (½" cubes)
  • ½ cup carrot (peeled and shredded)
  • ½ cup green onion (sliced)
  • 4 ounces imitation crabmeat
  • 4 ounces shrimp (cooked, shelled, and deveined)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup catalina french dressing
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt (plus extra to taste)
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper (plus extra to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and then rinse with cold water.
    Cauliflower: If using cauliflower, place in a microwave-safe dish with ¼ cup water, cover, and steam 3 minutes or until crisp-tender.
    Cooking the pasta for the seafood pasta salad in a pot on the stove.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients. Stir until combined.
    Making seafood pasta salad in a white bowl.
  • Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. Adjust seasoning to taste after the flavors have had a chance to blend.

Video

Kori's Tips

For more helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes check out my post above.
TIP: If making the low-carb version with cauliflower, cook the florets just until crisp-tender. Overcooked cauliflower can become soft and fall apart when mixed into the salad.
VARIATIONS: Substitute lump crab meat for imitation crab if preferred. To lighten the recipe, use light or fat-free mayonnaise and sour cream. For a low-carb or keto-friendly seafood salad, use cauliflower in place of pasta and a sugar-free French or Catalina dressing. Thousand Island dressing can also be used, but since it's sweeter, add a little ketchup to balance the flavor.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Enjoy this seafood salad on a bed of lettuce with a wedge of sweet melon for a refreshing summer meal. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled steak, seafood, or chicken and makes an excellent lunch or light dinner.
NOTE: Nutrition information is calculated using cauliflower and sugar-free Catalina French dressing. Values will vary if pasta or different dressing options are used.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 7.3gProtein: 9.7gFat: 12.2gSaturated Fat: 2.9gCholesterol: 50.5mgSodium: 391mgFiber: 1.6gSugar: 2g
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