Creamy Crab Pasta Salad: A Cool, Comforting Classic for Every Occasion

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🦀 Creamy Crab Pasta Salad: The Summer Classic

When warm weather rolls around, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a cold, creamy pasta salad. This **Creamy Crab Pasta Salad** is a timeless favorite for potlucks, BBQs, and family reunions. With its smooth dressing, crunchy vegetables, and sweet, tender crab meat, it’s the kind of dish everyone goes back for seconds.

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:** 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

đź“ť Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1. Cook the Pasta:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until **al dente**. Drain, then **rinse under cold water** to cool it quickly and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  2. 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. 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. 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. 5. Chill and Serve:Cover the salad and **refrigerate for at least 1 hour** to let the flavors blend (it tastes better chilled!). Just before serving, give it one more toss and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh dill or black pepper.

đź’ˇ 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

 

 

 

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