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A vibrant bowl of seafood pasta salad, brimming with shrimp, colorful vegetables, and pasta, is presented on a rustic surface.

Mediterranean Seafood Pasta Salad

A refreshing and vibrant seafood pasta salad featuring tender shrimp, flaky imitation crab, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta & Seafood
  • 12 oz Rotini or Fusilli Pasta cooked al dente, rinsed with cold water
  • 1 lb Large Shrimp peeled, deveined, cooked, chilled, and halved
  • 8 oz Imitation Crab Meat flaked or chopped into bite-sized pieces
For the Vegetables & Herbs
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup English Cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Dill chopped
For the Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette
  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground, or to taste

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Colander

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta
  1. Cook the rotini or fusilli pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Seafood and Vegetables
  1. If using raw shrimp, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Drain, rinse with cold water, then chill. Halve the cooked shrimp. Flake or chop the imitation crab meat into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the black olives. Chop the fresh parsley and dill.
Make the Vinaigrette
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
Assemble the Salad
  1. Add the cooled pasta to the large mixing bowl. Add the prepared shrimp, imitation crab, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red bell pepper, and black olives to the bowl with the pasta.
  2. Pour the lemon-herb vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Add the chopped fresh parsley and dill. Gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Toss again before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

For an added touch of freshness, you can sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick or crumbled feta cheese for a briny, creamy element. This salad is best enjoyed within 1-2 days.