Description
Perfect creamy shrimp macaroni salad ready in about 30 minutes! Seasoned with Old Bay and fresh dill for an easy seafood pasta dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (shells or macaroni)
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning, divided
- 16 oz small or medium shrimp
- 1/2 cup celery, diced finely
- 1/2 cup scallions, diced finely
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced finely
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 large garlic clove, grated
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil (just enough water to hold pasta and shrimp). Salt generously and add 1 tablespoon old bay. Then stir in the pasta noodles. Cook until tender but firm, 6-7 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, add the shrimp and stir until brightly colored and just cooked through, 2 minutes. Drain (don’t rinse!) and leave in the colander to cool for 5 minutes. Shake the strainer periodically to help drain.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, milk, grated garlic, dijon, remaining Old Bay, lemon juice and zest, dill and black pepper until well combined.
- Add the cooked macaroni, shrimp, diced celery, scallions and red pepper to the bowl. Stir until coated. Cover and refrigerate until serving. (Flavors will build as the salad sits). Taste and add more Old Bay, lemon, salt or pepper before serving.
- If the pasta has absorbed too much of the dressing, whisk a few tablespoons of mayo and milk together and stir into the pasta. Garnish with more fresh dill.
Notes
- Storage: Keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors improve overnight!
- Reheating: This salad is meant to be served cold, but if you prefer it slightly less chilled, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- Make it a meal: Add two hard-boiled eggs, chopped, to make this an even more protein-packed meal. (I do this often, depending on the price of eggs ;))
- Spice level: For a kick, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Easy Recipes
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 5.8 g
- Sodium: 542 mg
- Fat: 14.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 69 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 182.8 mg