Shrimp Pasta Salad

The Perfect Shrimp Pasta Salad

This shrimp pasta salad has been in my arsenal for a few years. If there is a potluck, it’s one of my go to dishes, and when I’m entertaining, it’s a side dish that keeps everyone coming back for more. It’s easy to make, flavorful, and is the perfect combination of seafood, tricolor rotini, fresh seasonings, and a zesty, creamy sauce.

What Ingredients are needed for Shrimp Pasta Salad?

To make this shrimp pasta salad recipe, you’ll need the Garden Veggie Rotini, peeled and deveined raw shrimp, mayonnaise, bell peppers, red onion, minced garlic, zesty Italian dressing, buttermilk ranch dressing, or if you’re making it from scratch like I show you, you’ll need buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, onion & garlic powder, salt, and lemon.

How to make Shrimp Pasta Salad

Making shrimp pasta salad is pretty easy. The first thing to do is boil is the pasta until it’s soft. Immediately strain the water and rinse the pasta in cold water to prevent the noodles from sticking together. While your pasta is boiling, chop your bell peppers and red onion. Take the opportunity to gather your dressings and ingredients needed to make the buttermilk ranch dressing. You can also cook the shrimp at this time so it’s ready when the pasta is cooked.

How to store Shrimp Pasta Salad

This dish contains mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, and seafood. It has the potential to go bad really quickly especially if you’re bringing this dish to a potluck or having it for a cookout. Store it covered and tightly sealed in the refrigerator overnight if you decide to make it ahead. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Transport it inside of a cooler with ice if you’re going to the park, and keep it at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours.

Can I customize Shrimp Pasta Salad?

You can definitely add seafood as you please! I would suggest lump crab meat, imitation crab, or chopped calamari along with shrimp. Other ingredients you can add to the shrimp pasta salad are celery, dill, and paprika.

Ingredients

-1 box of Garden Delight Veggie Tri Color Rotini (I recommend the Ronzoni brand)

-1 tbsp Salt (to salt the pasta water)

-1/4 Green Pepper, sliced vertically

-1/4 Red Pepper, sliced vertically

-1/4 Yellow Pepper, sliced vertically

-1/2 small Red Onion, sliced into rings

-1/4 cup of Zesty Italian Dressing

-2 cups of Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (Store bought)

Or you can make it from scratch with the following ingredients below:

-1 cup of Buttermilk

-1/2 cup of Sour Cream

-1/2 cup of Mayonnaise

-1 tbsp minced Garlic

-1 tsp Garlic Powder

-1 tsp Onion Powder

-1/2 Lemon (squeezed)

-1 lb of Raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp

For the shrimp:

-1 tsp of All Purpose Seasoning

-1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning

-1/2 tsp Cajun Seasoning

-1 tsp minced Garlic

-1/2 lemon, squeezed

-2 tsp Vegetable Oil

**You can top the shrimp pasta salad with freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil and then add the entire box of rotini. Boil until cooked to your desire. I don’t recommend al dente, I would boil until fully cooked. Once pasta is cooked, strain the water and rinse with cold water. Set to the side.

Next, start cooking the shrimp. In a small bowl, season the shrimp by adding the all purpose seasoning, Old Bay, and Cajun seasoning and combine. Grab a skillet and place it on medium. Warm the pan for 2 minutes and then add the oil. Next, add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp form a closed ‘c’. This process should take around 10-12 minutes. Remove the shrimp then set to the side.

Next, you’ll make your buttermilk ranch dressing. You can purchase it in the supermarket, but I recommend making it from scratch as I show you. In a medium sized bowl, add your buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, minced garlic, onion & garlic powder, and squeeze half a lemon. Stir and set to the side.

In a large mixing bowl, add pasta, shrimp, onion and bell peppers, Zesty Italian dressing, and 2 cups of buttermilk ranch. Stir until well distributed. Top with freshly cracked bell pepper and enjoy!