Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad

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🍤 Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad

 

A fresh, creamy and delicious pasta salad loaded with tender shrimp, crunchy vegetables, herbs and a creamy dressing. Perfect for lunch, picnics, parties, or a light dinner.

🥗 Ingredients

For the salad:

  • 12 oz (340 g) small pasta, such as shells or bow-tie
  • 1 lb (450 g) medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and cooked
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup celery, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • 2–3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the creamy dressing:

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried dill
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1–2 tbsp milk, if needed
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until tender but still slightly firm. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.

2. Prepare the shrimp:

If using raw shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for about 2–3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Allow the shrimp to cool, then chop larger shrimp into bite-sized pieces.

3. Make the dressing:

In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, dried dill, paprika, salt and black pepper. If the dressing is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.

4. Combine everything:

Add the cooled pasta, shrimp, cucumber, tomatoes, celery, red onion, fresh dill and parsley to a large mixing bowl.

5. Add the dressing:

Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture. Gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated.

6. Chill:

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend beautifully.

7. Serve:

Give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Garnish with extra fresh dill, parsley and a little freshly ground black pepper.

💡 Tips

Don’t overcook the pasta; slightly firm pasta holds up better in a creamy salad.

Chill the shrimp and pasta before mixing to prevent the dressing from becoming watery.

Add a little extra lemon juice for a brighter flavor.

For extra crunch, add chopped bell pepper or sweet corn.

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 30–60 minutes

Total Time: About 1 hour

Servings: 6–8

 

✨ Recipe Name

 

Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad with Fresh Dill & Veggies

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