Al dente tiny pasta tossed with generous amounts of cooked shrimp, crunchy fresh vegetables, and a citrus-spiked creamy dressing all combine to create an irresistible shrimp pasta salad. This dish is bound to become your new favorite for summer gatherings and picnics!

Delight in Flavor with Shrimp Pasta Salad

The combination of shrimp and pasta is as classic as it is delicious, much like the timeless pairing of peas and carrots. These two ingredients are truly made for one another!

This delightful shrimp and pasta salad serves as a perfect example of that harmonious blend. The creamy dressing, made with mayonnaise, is brightened with a splash of fresh lemon juice that enhances the shrimp’s natural sweetness. The addition of bell pepper, celery, and onion provides essential textural contrast and the crunch that every great pasta salad requires.

When discussing the shrimp, this salad is versatile enough to accommodate almost any variety and size of fully cooked shrimp. Whether you use small, medium, or jumbo shrimp, the key is ensuring they are cooked and chilled before adding them to the salad. The size doesn’t matter as the shrimp will be chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Although you could technically opt for extra small or salad shrimp, I recommend against it. The texture and flavor of the larger shrimp varieties elevate this salad significantly. Smaller shrimp tend to blend in, can sometimes be tough, and often lack the depth of flavor found in their larger counterparts.

Our family often enjoys a variety of shrimp dishes. They are quick to prepare, easy to keep stocked in the freezer, and quite budget-friendly!

One of our go-to meals for busy weeknights is shrimp quesadillas, which come together in no time at all. Another fantastic option for summer dining is bacon-wrapped shrimp kabobs, perfect for grilling on warm evenings.

Additionally, shrimp can shine as the star of the meal itself, especially when it comes to special gatherings featuring a classic shrimp boil!

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Shrimp Pasta Salad

To create this delicious shrimp pasta salad, you’ll need the following essential ingredients:

• mayonnaise
• lemons
• sugar
• granulated garlic or garlic powder
• kosher salt
• black pepper
• small pasta
• cooked shrimp
• bell pepper
• celery
• red onion
• parsley

For this particular recipe, I opted for “spaghetti macaroni,” which are tiny elbow macaroni noodles that are the same width as traditional spaghetti. (To be transparent, I enjoyed the tiny noodles, but my dear husband was not as enthusiastic about them.)

Experimenting with different pasta shapes is enjoyable, and the spaghetti macaroni turned out to be a hit with most of my family. You could also consider using ditalini, small elbows, or small shells, which will also provide a deliciously different texture while still being delightful in flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Shrimp Pasta Salad

Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions, ensuring it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until it is completely cool.

Next, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the cooled pasta, shrimp, celery, bell pepper, onion, and parsley into the bowl containing the dressing.

Gently toss the ingredients to ensure everything is evenly coated. Taste the salad and adjust the seasonings based on your preferences. Once you’re satisfied, refrigerate the salad until you are ready to serve it.