Description
This Cajun Crab Pasta Salad is a flavorful, creamy, and zesty dish combining tender pasta with a spicy Cajun-infused dressing, fresh vegetables, and succulent crab meat. Perfect for a quick lunch or a refreshing side at your next gathering, it offers a delightful balance of textures and bold flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad Mix-Ins
- 1 cup imitation crab meat or real crab, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini or elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Toss pasta with dressing: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl containing the dressing and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Add salad ingredients: Gently fold in the chopped crab meat, diced celery, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley into the pasta and dressing mixture, combining all ingredients evenly.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully for a well-rounded taste.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad gently to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve chilled for the best experience.
Notes
- Use real crab meat for a more authentic flavor, but imitation crab works well and is more budget-friendly.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to control the spice level based on your preference.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator, which improves flavor melding.
- For extra crunch, consider adding chopped celery seeds or a handful of chopped green onions.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta to stop cooking and cool it to maintain the salad’s refreshing texture.
