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–+ servings
Overhead view of imitation crab pasta salad in a white bowl.
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Imitation Crab Pasta Salad

Pasta salad gets a seafood twist in this hearty and flavorful salad with imitation crab meat.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 16 cups

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1 ¾ cups mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 ½ teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons granulated white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 2 to 3 teaspoons dried dill

For the salad:

  • 1 pound medium shells pasta
  • 1 pound imitation crab meat flake style, cut into approximately 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 1 medium red bell pepper seeded, cored, and chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed

Instructions

  • Prepare the dressing by stirring or whisking together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay Seasoning, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, sugar, and dill in a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  • Begin cooking the pasta according to package directions. Once the pasta has cooked, drain in a colander and rinse well with cold water until all of the pasta has cooled.
  • While the pasta is cooking, chop the vegetables and slice the imitation crab meat into bite-size pieces (about 1 inch).
  • Toss together the imitation crab, celery, red onion, bell pepper, and peas in a very large mixing bowl. Add the drained and cooled pasta and toss again to combine.
  • Add the dressing to the pasta mixture and gently stir to coat as evenly as possible.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • When adding the dressing, it may seem like there is a LOT of dressing! The pasta will absorb some of the dressing when the salad is refrigerated.